Citizen Action Request

Citizen Action Request

Community and Economic Development Department -

Code Compliance

11707 East Sprague Avenue Suite 106

Spokane Valley WA 99206

509.720.5310  Fax: 509.688.0037

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This box to be filled out by staff only:

Date submitted:Received by:

REQUEST TAKEN VIA: Phone Voicemail Email Observed In -Person Fax

Contact information for the person issuing the complaint:

Name:

Address:

Phone number: DaytimeEvening

Email address

IF NECESSARY, MAY WE HAVE PERMISSION TO ENTER YOUR PROPERTY TO VIEW THEALLEGED VIOLATION? YES NO

SIGNATURE:DATE:

Please provide concise and complete information, including photographs, maps, or other appropriate documentation, to substantiate the alleged violation.

Nature of the alleged violation (continue on a separate sheet of paper if necessary):

How long has the alleged violation existed, if known?

Address of the alleged violation:

If no address is available, please provide a detailed description of the location of the alleged violation:

Name of property owner, if known:

Name of occupants of the property, if known:

What is Code Compliance?Code Compliance is a City program by which the rules governing the use of private property as adopted by the City Council are enforced. These rules are intended to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of all citizens. The Community and Economic DevelopmentDepartment is responsible for enforcing the provisions of RCW andSVMC,including building codes, zoning, subdivisions, shorelines, and critical areas. Each Code provision contains penalties that may be imposed when a property owner refuses to correct a cited violation.

Who may file a complaint and when may it be filed?Anyone may file a complaint report whenever they observe conditions and/or uses of property or structures that they suspect are illegal or potentially hazardous. Code Compliance staff will ultimately determine whether the law have been violated. Misdirected complaints will be forwarded to a more appropriate agency (i.e., Sheriff Department, Air Pollution, Animal Control, etc.).

What kinds of complaints does Code Compliance handle? Here are some examples of the most common issuesthat Code Compliance handles. The list is not exhaustive but gives a good example of what situations can be handled by a Code Compliance officer:

outdoor storage of junk, garbage, or junk cars;

improper use of property pursuant to zoning regulations;

violations of home occupation licensing regulations;

excessive noise (during regular business hours);

construction/demolition without permits;

accessory structures in required yards;

fire hazards and dangerous buildings.

How is a complaint filed?Except where an immediate hazard exists, compliance actions may begin with either a signed complaint or e-mail from a resident or public agency. This Citizen Action Requestform can be acquired by calling (509) 921-1000, from the City of Spokane Valley at 11707 East Sprague Avenue, Suite 106, or from our website at You can submit the complaint to the address above.

What happens once I’ve submitted my written complaint?Except for issues where an immediate threat to health and safety exist, initial action on your complaint should normally begin within 24 hours of receipt of the complaint by the City. The City will normally inspect the site within one or two days. However, observable evidence of the City’s initial actions may not be immediately apparent because actual resolution of the issue can take weeks, months, and sometimes longer, depending on the complexity and legal ramifications.

Complaint Referral Guide

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