Code Enforcement Strategies for Effective Nuisance Abatement

REGISTER

Registration closes on Monday, May 18 at 5 PM. All registrants will also receive a link to view the webinar recording.

Washington State Association of Code Enforcement (WACE) members: WACE is offering free discount codes for members to attend this webinar. Please contact treasurer@wace1.com for more information. 

Webinar Overview

Nuisance conditions can quickly escalate into significant public health, safety, and quality‑of‑life concerns for a community. This webinar, offered in partnership with the Washington State Association of Code Enforcement (WACE), provides a practical and legally grounded overview of how local jurisdictions can address nuisances through effective code enforcement practices.

Participants will learn from code enforcement practitioners and our own legal consultant, Harry Boesche, about the options available for nuisance abatement and the legal requirements that guide each step of the process. The session will also highlight practical issues—such as cost recovery and lien procedures—and offer strategies to navigate them successfully.

Educational Objectives

By the end of the session, attendees will be able to:

•  Identify and apply appropriate abatement methods
• Understand the legal framework governing abatement actions
• Navigate cost recovery and lien procedures
• Address common challenges encountered during abatement

Who Should Attend?

Newer code enforcement and law enforcement officers responsible for nuisance abatement in their jurisdiction. Other local government staff involved in compliance, property maintenance enforcement, or community improvement programs.

Presenters

• Michael Hepburn, Code Enforcement Officer II, King County Department of Local Services. Michael Hepburn worked in code enforcement in the King County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney Civil Division, Land Use Section, from 2001 to 2024, retiring from that office as a Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney. In 2025, he joined the King County Department of Local Services as a code enforcement officer, where he assists Product Line Manager John Fairbanks and Abatement Manager LaDonna Whalen in the Permitting Division’s Code Enforcement Section.
• LaDonna Whalen, Abatement Manager, King County Department of Local Services. With 25 years of experience in municipal and county code enforcement, LaDonna Whalen serves as Abatement Manager for King County. She oversees small, large, and emergency abatements, manages the abatement fund budget, and develops contractor agreements for abatement services. Her work focuses on strategic funding solutions and effective program management to support community compliance and safety.
• Harry Boesche, Legal Consultant, MRSC. Harry joined MRSC as a legal consultant in April 2024. A municipal attorney with over 20 years of experience, he has served as a prosecutor and legal advisor to various Puget Sound local governments including Auburn, Tumwater, Roy, and Ruston. In addition to his legal practice, he has been a paralegal instructor at Tacoma Community College for over 20 years, teaching courses in labor and employment law, legal writing and civil procedure.

Training Scholarships

• The Washington Counties Risk Group (WCRG) will provide training scholarships for this webinar. Those wishing to take advantage of this offer are asked to respectfully contact your WCRG risk manager, Mark Sherwood at msherwood@chooseclear.com to request the registration code before you register.
• The Cities Insurance Association of Washington (CIAW) will provide training scholarships for this webinar. Those wishing to take advantage of this offer are asked to respectfully contact your CIAW risk manager, Mark Sherwood at msherwood@chooseclear.com to request the registration code before you register.
• Read about other scholarship opportunities.

Payment Policy: Payment is completed online by card. If you need to be billed to pay offline, there will be a $5.00 administrative fee added to the total cost of registration. To request an invoice, please contact Jacob Rice (jrice@mrsc.org).

Refund Policy: Refunds will be provided minus a 5% administrative fee until the registration deadline at 5 PM on Monday, May 18. No refunds for cancelations or no-shows after the registration deadline. To request a refund, please contact Jacob Rice (jrice@mrsc.org).

If you are registered for the webinar and are unable to attend, you will still be able to view the recorded webinar afterwards. However, if you cancel your registration, you will not receive a link to the recording.