District court judges can issue fines but have no authority to order messes cleaned up. It can take two years to get through superior court, which has that power. The new ordinance would allow a hearing examiner to act more swiftly against nuisances. Many of the approximately 80 people at the meeting supported a section of the law that would help them clean up after an evicted tenant. If the person failed to remove his belongings after proper notice, the items could be declared trash and be disposed of by the landlord.
Current law leaves a question of liability for such action.
Kitsap County commissioners have yet to schedule the next hearing on the issue. Click here to send your ideas to The Sun.