The City of Seattle hopes the threat of heavy fines will pressure negligent landowners to follow the rules.

A new program, called "Clean up Your Act," will increase fines for landlords and property owners who refuse to repair run down homes, let weeds and bushes take over or turn yards into junkyards.

Fines for violating the city's land use, housing and weed codes will significantly increase under the changes. Enforcement needs of these codes are increasing citywide and officials hope penalty boosts will make the process more efficient.

The legislation is also supposed to make it easier to charge criminal penalties to repeat offenders, said Diane C. Davis, acting code compliance manager for the Seattle Department of Planning and Development.

The way the law is now, criminal charges can only be sought if the violator has a criminal record in the past five years.

Davis introduced the program at a recent public meting.

The three bills submitted to the Seattle City Council revise the enforcement sections of the Seattle Land Use Code; the Housing Building and Maintenance Code, which set minimum standards for rental housing and vacant buildings, and the Weeds and Vegetation Ordinance.

Instead of a $15 a day fine for violations of the housing building code, the fine increases to $150 per day for the first 10 days of non-compliance and then up to $500 per day.

Land use code infractions will go from $75 a day to $150 and increase to $500 after 10 days.

The first citation for property owners who let weeds or other vegetation trespass onto streets or sidewalks blocking pubic right-of-ways, will be set at $150 and a second violation is $500.

Davis insisted that the changes are directed at repeat offenders, not the "average person."

"It's really aimed at about 5 percent of our customer's that just don't want to - it's not that they can't, it's that they won't," Davis said. "It's important for people know that we're not telling them they can't paint their house lavender..."

Davis said the city would work with individuals who aren't able to meet the minimum code standards due to disability, and in some cases seek outside help from senior services or clean-up services.

"Most people in Seattle take pride in their community and do a good job of keeping their property and homes in shape," said Mayor Greg Nickels in a statement. "But one bad landowner can create health and safety issues that impact an entire neighborhood."

The city council approved the housing and vegetation changes, but as of this report had not yet voted on the land use code. Davis said she expects all to pass council and be signed into law by Nickels in the next several weeks.

"The council has been very supportive," Davis said.

The codes are enforced by the planning department, which handles about 2,500 complaints per year. Last year the city collected more than $137,000 in fines.

Davis wanted to make clear that the changes were not a money making opportunity for the planning department. Fines collected go into the city's general fund, she said.

"It's just another tool," Davis said.

But she wishes the money could go towards hiring more enforcement officers, since there are only about 15 for the entire city, she said.

"We have a resource problem at (the department of planning and development)," Davis said.

The department processes about 3,000 housing, land use and weed complaints every year and about 75 percent of people comply voluntarily once warned. Common land use violations include inoperable vehicles cluttered in yards and garbage or miscellaneous items stored in residential neighborhoods.

Lois Grammon-Simpson, a coordinator with the Seattle Neighborhood Group, encouraged Davis to find ways to hold accountable property owners that are awaiting permits to demolish empty buildings or develop land. She said many problem areas stem from seemingly abandoned properties.

"They're still responsible for what it looks like and the hazards it creates," said Grammon-Simpson.

To comment on the program, contact Diane Davis at 233-7873 or dianec.davis@seattle .gov. Public complaints can be filed online or by phone, 615-0808.

Rebekah Schilperoort may be reached at rebekahs@robinsonnews.com