It is hereby found that there exist, in the city, dwellings which are unfit for human habitation, and buildings, structures, and premises or portions thereof which are unfit for other uses due to dilapidation, disrepair, structural defects, defects increasing the hazards of fire, accidents, or other calamities, inadequate drainage, overcrowding, or due to other conditions which are inimical to the health, safety and welfare of the residents of such municipalities and counties.
The Washington State Legislature has found and declared that the powers conferred by Chapter 35.80 RCW are for public uses and purposes for which public money may be expended, and that the necessity of the public interest for the enactment of this law has been declared to be a matter of local legislative determination.
The purpose of this chapter is to provide minimum requirements for the protection of life, limb, health, property and welfare of the general public as related to the occupancy of buildings and to establish minimum standards for the occupancy and use of dwellings, buildings, structures, and premises.
(Ord. 1131 § 1, 1962; Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all dwellings, buildings, structures, and premises or portions thereof used or designed or intended to be used for human habitation or for any other purpose.
(Ord. 1131 § 1, 1962; Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
Buildings legally in existence at the time of the passage of the ordinance codified in this chapter may, at the owner's discretion, have their use continued; provided such use is not dangerous to the life, limb, health, property, safety or welfare of the public or the occupants thereof.
(Ord. 1131 § 1, 1962; Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
All buildings or structures hereafter constructed, erected, altered, moved, demolished, repaired or added to and/or the use of premises shall comply with the provisions of this chapter and with the provisions of the building, fire, zoning and property maintenance codes of the city and amendments thereto.
(Ord. 1131 § 1, 1962; Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
(1) 
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to abrogate or impair the power of the courts or of any department of the city to enforce any provisions of law, or its ordinances, nor to prevent or punish violations thereof; and the powers conferred by this chapter shall be in addition and supplemental to the powers conferred by any other law or ordinance.
(2) 
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to impair or limit in any way the power of the city to define and declare nuisances and to cause their removal or abatement by summary proceedings or otherwise.
(Ord. 1131 § 1, 1962; Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)