Mercer Island Municipal Code

Click here to access the Mercer Island Municipal Code

What is the Mercer Island Municipal Code?

Mercer Island has a council-manager form of government. Its seven city council members are elected at-large, on a non-partisan basis, to four-year terms. Those members choose a mayor who serves a two-year term. In addition, citizen volunteers serve on a number of boards and commissions that provide policy input to the mayor, city council, and city manager on various operations.

The municipal code is a compilation of ordinances and regulations approved by the Mercer Island City Council. These codes help guide appropriate actions within City limits to ensure the quality of life our residents have come to enjoy and expect. These codes address construction activity, help protect our open spaces, critical areas, trees and shorelines, and fulfill the City's obligations under Federal and State regulations.

The codes include an array of topics including but not limited to: construction, zoning, land use, and nuisance issues. To view the Mercer Island municipal code in its entirety, please click here.

Who Enforces the Municipal Code?

Specific sections of the Mercer Island Municipal Code may be enforced by various public officers: Police and Fire, Building Official, Code Official, Code Compliance Officer, City Clerk, or by other authorities that act as an agent of the city, or any other duly authorized agent of the city acting alone or in concert with other municipalities.

The Code Compliance Officer investigates a wide range of issues: zoning and building, junk and debris, abandoned vehicles, noise, vacant structures, and rodent problems. The officer also works closely with other City departments on issues such as: storage of hazard materials, unpermitted work, building activities outside the scope of an existing permit, etc. For more information regarding nuisance issues, please view Chapter 19 of the Code. For construction regulations pertinent to building on Mercer Island, click here to view our Building “Codes, Design Criteria, & Research" page for more information (also see Chapter 17 of the Municipal Code).

About Code Compliance Click here

• What complaints does the Code Compliance Officer handle?
• How do I file a complaint?
• How are complaints processed?

Construction and Building Codes: View the Design and Criteria building page for specific regulations pertaining to Building. To get information regarding tree regulations, please click here.