Code Enforcement

This department is responsible for enforcing various chapters of the Everett Municipal Code that address public health and safety issues, including regulations related to rubbish, other nuisances, removal of vegetation, zoning, dangerous building, environmental violations, and junk vehicles on private property. EMC Chapter 1.20

Filing a Complaint

To file a formal complaint with the Code Enforcement Unit, simply submit the Code Violation Complaint Form via email. For submission or questions, contact Code Enforcement. Code Officers are assigned to investigate all allegations and will attempt to visit the site within two weeks from the date of a mailed Courtesy Notice to confirm that a violation exists. A Code Officer will contact the property owner to discuss the violation and actions needed to remedy the situation. Usually, property owners are unaware of the regulations and voluntarily fix the problem within a reasonable time frame. The average time to fix a violation is under 2 weeks, but complicated situations may take up to a year (or more) to correct. Please be patient!

An alternative to filing a formal complaint is contacting the property owner or using resources from your neighborhood association. 

Violations

According to the Everett Municipal Code (EMC), the following are violations if visible from a street, alley or public or private property:

  • Junk, trash, litter, boxes, discarded lumber or salvage materials.
  • Attractive nuisances that are dangerous to children, such as abandoned, broken or neglected equipment, machinery, refrigerators and freezers, excavations, well or shafts.
  • Broken or discarded furniture, household equipment or furnishings.
  • Shopping carts in the front yard, side yard, rear yard or vacant lot. (Please see "Shopping Cart Recovery Program" within Quick Links.)
  • Vehicles that are parked in the front, side or rear yards or are wrecked, taken apart or inoperable.
  • Dead, decayed, diseased or otherwise hazardous trees.
  • Overgrown vegetation in the yards of property.
  • Graffiti or tagging.
  • Utility trailers or camper tops in the front yard.