It is the purpose of this chapter to provide specific guidance and procedures for code enforcement actions in the city of Ridgefield. It is the policy of the city to thoroughly and consistently enforce the rules and regulations of the municipal code, with primary emphasis on protection of the general health, safety and welfare. In addition, it is the policy of the city to strive for and achieve the highest level of voluntary compliance in all code enforcement actions with minimal use of punitive authority. Further, the city strives to resolve all code enforcement actions in a swift, fair and equitable manner.

(Ord. 767 § 1, 2000).

It shall be unlawful to violate the provisions of Title 18. Enforcement of Title 18 shall be governed by this chapter and by RMC Title 20.

(Ord. 767 § 2, 2000; Ord. No. 1416, § 1(Att.), 2-22-2024)

There shall be appointed by the city council, or designee, of one or more code enforcement officers. The code enforcement officers shall determine if a violation of the development code has occurred. Such determination shall be based upon factual information that a clear violation of rule, regulation, procedure, standard, terms of any permit or approval granted per the Ridgefield Development Code, or any condition imposed on such a permit or approval has been violated in the course of permitting, construction or occupancy of a land use or development. It shall be the duty of the code enforcement officer to enforce this chapter. The code enforcement officer may call upon the police, fire, building, planning, public works or other appropriate city department and employees of the city to assist in enforcement of the development code.

(Ord. 767 § 3, 2000).

(Ord. No. 1325, § 2(Exh. A), 9-24-2020)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1416, § 1(Att.), adopted Feb. 22, 2024, repealed § 18.395.040, which pertained to violation types and derived from Ord. 767, § 4, adopted in 2000; and Ord. No. 1325, § 2(Exh. A), adopted Sep. 24, 2020.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1416, § 1(Att.), adopted Feb. 22, 2024, repealed § 18.395.050, which pertained to procedures and derived from Ord. 767, § 5, adopted in 2000; Ord. No. 1178, § 2(Exh. A), adopted Feb. 12, 2015; and Ord. No. 1325, § 2(Exh. A), adopted Sep. 24, 2020.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1416, § 1(Att.), adopted Feb. 22, 2024, repealed § 18.395.060, which pertained to civil penalty, injunctive relief, abatement, revocation and suspension of applicable permits, liens, and other remedies and derived from Ord. 767, § 6, adopted in 2000; and Ord. No. 1325, § 2(Exh. A), adopted Sep. 24, 2020.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1416, § 1(Att.), adopted Feb. 22, 2024, repealed § 18.395.070, which pertained to criminal prosecution and derived from Ord. 767, § 7, adopted in 2000; and Ord. No. 1325, § 2(Exh. A), adopted Sep. 24, 2020.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1416, § 1(Att.), adopted Feb. 22, 2024, repealed § 18.395.080, which pertained to content of notices and derived from Ord. 767, § 8, adopted in 2000; Ord. 802, § 11 (part), adopted in 2002; and Ord. No. 1325, § 2(Exh. A), adopted Sep. 24, 2020.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1416, § 1(Att.), adopted Feb. 22, 2024, repealed § 18.395.090, which pertained to appeals and derived from Ord. 767, § 9, adopted in 2000; Ord. 802, § 11 (part), adopted in 2002; and Ord. No. 1325, § 2(Exh. A), adopted Sep. 24, 2020.

A.

Any person, firm or corporation, association or any agency of any person, firm or corporation who violates any provision of Chapters 18.600 or 18.610 (Subdivisions and Short Plats) leading to the sale, offer of sale or lease or transfer of any lot, tract or parcel of land shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor and each sale, offer of sale or lease or transfer of each separate parcel, tract or lot of land in violation of any provision of those titles shall be deemed a separate and distinct offense.

B.

Whenever land within a subdivision granted final approval is used in a manner or for a purpose which violates any provision of Chapters 18.600 and 18.610 (Subdivision and Short Plats) or any term or condition of plat approval prescribed for the plat by the city and the city attorney may commence an action to restrain and enjoin such use and compel compliance of provisions of Chapters 18.600 or 18.610 or with such terms and conditions. The cost of such action shall be taxed against the violator.

C.

No building permit, utility permit or other development permit shall be issued for any lot, tract or parcel of land divided in violation of Chapters 18.600 or 18.610. This prohibition contained in this section shall not apply to any innocent purchaser for value without actual notice of the act or acts constituting the violation. All purchasers or transferees' property shall comply with the provisions of this title in accordance with RCW 58.17.

(Ord. 767 § 10, 2000).