Opinion ID: 2629938
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Nuisance Law

Text: ¶ 12 Nuisance is `a substantial and unreasonable interference with the use and enjoyment of land.' Bodin v. City of Stanwood, 79 Wash.App. 313, 318 n. 2, 901 P.2d 1065 (1995) (quoting 1 William H. Rodgers, Environmental Law § 2.2, at 33 (1986)). ¶ 13 Washington's law of nuisance is codified in chapter 7.48 RCW. Nuisance is broadly defined as unlawfully doing an act, or omitting to perform a duty, which act or omission either annoys, injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health or safety of others . . . or in any way renders other persons insecure in life, or in the use of property. RCW 7.48.120. ¶ 14 A nuisance which affects equally the rights of an entire community or neighborhood is a public nuisance. RCW 7.48.130. Among the enumerated public nuisances is [t]o obstruct or impede, without legal authority, the passage of any river, harbor, or collection of water. RCW 7.48.140(3). Any nuisance that does not fit the statutory definition of a public nuisance is a private nuisance. RCW 7.48.150. ¶ 15 An actionable nuisance is whatever is injurious to health or indecent or offensive to the senses, or an obstruction to the free use of property, so as to essentially interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of the life and property. RCW 7.48.010. Any person whose property is injuriously affected or whose personal enjoyment is lessened by a nuisance may sue for damages and for injunctive relief to abate the nuisance. RCW 7.48.020.