Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has introduced a proposal to expand the city’s chronic nuisance property ordinance in response to rising violence around nightclubs and after-hours venues. The legislation aims to give city officials broader authority to penalize properties linked to repeated criminal or disorderly conduct.
The ordinance currently allows the city to label a property a chronic nuisance if it’s tied to three or more incidents—such as gun violence, assault, drug trafficking, or prostitution—within 60 days, or seven incidents in a 12-month span. Since 2009, the city has used the ordinance only 17 times, most often targeting motels and nightclubs.
Under Harrell’s new proposal, liquor violations would be added to the list of offenses that can trigger a nuisance designation. This would address establishments operating without valid licenses or repeatedly violating liquor laws. The amendment also includes off-site activity—such as fights or drug use occurring near a venue—as grounds for enforcement, expanding the city’s reach to include adjacent disturbances.
According to Harrell, the changes are intended to combat rising crime tied to nightlife. Seattle has already seen over 20 nightlife-related shootings in 2025, putting the city on track to exceed the 47 incidents recorded in 2024. City officials have linked several recent violent episodes to clubs that ignore safety regulations or attract criminal activity.
Last April, the Seattle City Council passed an ordinance requiring nightclubs to obtain city permits, employ licensed security, and operate video surveillance systems. That measure followed a string of shootings and violent altercations outside after-hours clubs. Just before it took effect, two people were fatally shot outside a nightclub in South Seattle.
In that case, Police Chief Shon Barnes issued a nuisance declaration, starting the legal process requiring the property owner to act. Under current law, property owners must respond within seven days and work with police to address the problem. If they fail to comply, they face daily fines of $500, and potentially a $25,000 one-time penalty.
The updated ordinance will be reviewed by the Seattle Public Safety Committee on June 24.
