Code compliance violation cases in Kenmore have dramatically dropped off since 2013, a phenomena which city staff attributes to a pay off of policy changes.

A few years ago Kenmore’s code compliance departments transitioned from actively seeking out violations in favor of a more passive approach.

This was motivated partially by an increase in construction permits, coupled with a lack of funding to hire on both a construction inspector and a code compliance officer.

So instead of patrolling neighborhoods looking for violations, staff now relies on neighbors to report violations city development services director Bryan Hampton said.

“I think the community is doing better policing themselves,” Hampson said.

Between 2010 and 2012 there were 1,184 code compliance cases opened by the city, which dropped to 531 cases during the following three years.

In 2015, there were only 68 cases opened.

Mike Thomas is the city’s code compliance officer and permit inspector. He said waiting for people to call in complaints has proven to be beneficial, not only for his department but for residents as well.

“This way we do take care of things that people are concerned about and things that affect other people,” he said.

When a complaint is made, Thomas said he usually asks the reporting person to talk with their neighbors about it first.

If that doesn’t work, he’ll head down and talk with the owners about the violation, followed by two correction notices and finally he issues a notice of violation.

“Most of those times, those people will go back and talk to their neighbors and it gets resolved before it gets to us,” Hampson said.

Common code violations include building structures without a permit, cutting trees and clearing vegetation in critical environmental areas, having junk vehicles on a property and storing trash outside.

Another reason for a softer enforcement approach is that many people don’t know city code, Thomas said.

But the financial consequences of ignoring violation notices can be severe. While fines range widely based on the seriousness of the violation, it can add up quickly, up to $500 a day per violation, Thomas said.

With the exception of 2011, the city has also closed more cases than it has opened every year and continued reducing the number of cases open at the end of the year.

In 2015 only nine cases remained open at years-end, down from 41 in 2014.

The city municipal code is also available online for residents to read on the city website.