Ritzville council updates nuisance ordinance

RITZVILLE -- The City Council amended the nuisance ordinance to provide for more effective enforcement of penalties during its July 5 meeting.

Ordinance No. 2159 pertains to the unsightly or unsanitary conditions on property within city limits which might be a detriment to public health or safety.

The main change to the code is that if the city incurs costs in abating a nuisance violation and the liable party doesn’t pay in 30 days, it can either send the bill to a collection agency or the city clerk can assess a lien on the property.

There is still a “show cause” hearing required before the c...