A. It is the purpose and intent of this Chapter to provide for the protection of the health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of Pierce County by proscribing nuisances and establishing a procedure for the abatement of nuisances where efforts to achieve voluntary compliance have failed. The remedy provided in this Chapter shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, other civil or criminal remedies provided by State law and/or the Pierce County Code (PCC).

B. It is the purpose and intent of this Chapter to eliminate the effects of accumulated solid waste, accumulated damaged and inoperable vehicles and vessels, unpermitted septic/sewage systems, and unpermitted motor vehicle salvage, storage, or repair sites. These conditions create blight, depress land values, generate health hazards, damage the environment and wildlife habitat, provide breeding grounds for pests such as rodents, hornets, and mosquitoes, attract illegal dumping of other solid waste and hazardous substances, lead to criminal behavior, and detrimentally affect the health and safety of communities and neighborhoods in rural and urbanized areas of unincorporated Pierce County.

C. It is the purpose and intent of this Chapter to remove unpermitted buildings or structures, to rectify unpermitted development activities which damage environmentally sensitive areas of Pierce County including wetlands and shorelines, and to provide an alternative enforcement remedy where the landowner fails to comply with the terms of a cease and desist order or notice and order to correct or decision of the Pierce County Hearing Examiner.

D. It is the purpose and intent of the County Council to declare that abatement of public nuisances from private property is a governmental purpose for which public funds may be spent as determined appropriate and necessary by the Executive.

E. It is the further purpose and intent of this Chapter to hold the landowner responsible for the costs of abatement of nuisances that exist on his/her property.