The city of Aberdeen is committed to protecting its citizens from the dangers of properties that are abandoned, where unsafe conditions exist or where crime repeatedly occurs. Such properties are known as “nuisance properties” because of their adverse impact on the quality of life of Aberdeen’s citizens. Additionally, when owners, financial institutions and persons in charge fail to take responsible action to secure and care for these properties, they deteriorate and become “chronic nuisance” properties. Chronic nuisance properties create a substantial financial burden, pose a significant strain on city services, interfere with other’s use and enjoyment of their lands, and are a prohibited public nuisance. Persons in charge of such properties have a duty to take all reasonable measures to prevent and abate nuisance activity. The intent of the Aberdeen city council in enacting this chapter is to exercise specific powers granted by the state of Washington in first class cities to prevent and abate nuisances, declare what shall be a nuisance, abate the same and to hold legally and financially accountable the owners and persons in charge of nuisance and chronic nuisance properties and to provide for the restoration and abatement of such properties. It is also the purpose of this chapter to provide for the closure of abandoned properties that are not subject to the building official process under Chapter 15.50.