SEA-MC tit. 6, subtit. IV, ch. 6.315, subch. V — Enforcement | Seattle Municipal Code (Supp. No. 44: codified through Ordinance No. 127459, passed June 30, 2026) — Seattle

Seattle Mun. Code ch. 6.315, subch. V, § 6.315.400 Penalties.

6.315.400 - Penalties. A. Violations of Section 6.315.040 A shall be a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) or by imprisonment for a term not to exceed ninety (90) days, or by both such fine and imprisonment. B. For each violation of a provision in this chapter that has a class referenced in parenthesis after the provision, a civil penalty in the following amount shall be imposed by and paid to the Department for each violation: 1. Class A—Fifty Dollars ($50) for the first violation; One Hundred Dollars ($100) for each subsequent violation within a twenty-four (24) month period; 2. Class B—One Hundred Dollars ($100) for the first violation; One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($150) for each subsequent violation within a twenty-four (24) month period; 3. Class C—Three Hundred Dollars ($300). C. For each violation other than a violation of Section 6.315.040 A, the Director shall give written notice of the violation to the licensee indicating the violation and the monetary penalty imposed. Such notice shall be delivered either personally or by first class mail addressed to the licensee at the address provided by the licensee on the license application or provided as new information pursuant to the requirements of Section 6.315.070. (Ord. 118443, § 1(part), 1996.)

Seattle Mun. Code ch. 6.315, subch. V, § 6.315.410 License suspension and revocation.

6.315.410 - License suspension and revocation. A. Summary Suspension or Revocation. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a license issued under this chapter may be summarily suspended prior to any hearing for failure to have the insurance coverage required by Section 6.315.120 and may be summarily suspended or revoked prior to any hearing by notice of the Director upon a determination that there is reasonable cause to believe that grounds for license suspension or revocation exist and that summary suspension or revocation is necessary to prevent a clear, substantial and imminent hazard to life, safety, or property. B. Suspension Standards. 1. The Director may suspend any license issued under this chapter for violation of any of the provisions of this chapter that indicate a suspension as a penalty in parenthesis after the provision and pursuant to subsection C2 below. 2. Three or more Class B penalties imposed during a twenty-four (24) month period will, in addition to monetary penalties, result in suspension of a license for two (2) months. C. Revocation Standards. 1. Any License. The Director shall revoke a license issued under this chapter if the Director determines that: a. The license application contained a material misstatement or omission; b. During the annual license period the licensee has a conviction, bail forfeiture or other adverse finding of animal cruelty under the laws of any state or governmental subdivision thereof; c. During the annual license period the licensee has a conviction, bail forfeiture or other adverse finding for violating any provision of Section 6.315.040 A; d. The licensee fails to pay a monetary penalty imposed under this chapter within thirty (30) days after an unappealed notice of violation or final decision or order imposing such monetary penalty is issued. 2. Horse-drawn Carriage Licenses. a. The Director shall revoke a horse-drawn carriage license if the licensee, or if the licensee is a partnership, corporation or other legal entity, if any of the persons listed in Section 6.315.100 B1b has: i. Had a bail forfeiture, conviction or other adverse finding during the annual license period for a crime that would be grounds for denial under Section 6.315.110 A5, or ii. Within the previous twenty-four (24) month period had two (2) violations of Section 6.315.120; b. The Director may revoke a for-hire horse-drawn carriage license if the licensee, or if the licensee is a partnership, corporation or other legal entity, if any of the persons listed in Section 6.315.100 B1b has had a bail forfeiture, conviction or other adverse finding during the annual license period for a crime that would jeopardize the safety of a passenger or the public, including but not limited to fraud, theft, prostitution, and/or narcotics. 3. Horse-drawn Carriage Driver's License. The Director shall revoke a for-hire horse-drawn carriage driver's license if, during the annual license period: a. The horse-drawn carriage driver's Washington State driver's license has been revoked; or b. The horse-drawn carriage driver has had a bail forfeiture, conviction or other adverse finding for a crime that would be grounds for denial under Section 6.315.310 A5. D. Notice of Suspension or Revocation. 1. Suspension. The Director shall suspend a license issued under this chapter by written notice of suspension (or summary suspension), indicating the reason for suspension and the appropriate action(s) necessary to remedy the violation and terminate the suspension. Such notice shall be delivered either personally or by first class mail to the licensee at the address provided by the licensee on the license application or provided as new information pursuant to the requirements of Section 6.315.070. 2. Revocation. The Director shall revoke a license by written notice of revocation indicating the reason for revocation. Such notice shall be delivered either personally or by first class mail to the licensee at the address provided by the licensee on the license application or provided as new information pursuant to the requirements of Section 6.315.070. E. Effect of Notice of Suspension or Revocation. 1. Summary Suspension or Revocation. Whenever any license is summarily suspended or revoked the suspension or revocation is effective upon issuance of the notice. Such notice may be appealed pursuant to the procedures of Section 6.315.430. If a timely appeal is not filed by the licensee, the notice of summary suspension or revocation shall be final. A summary suspension shall extend until any administrative or judicial appeal is finally concluded in the licensee's favor, or until evidence satisfactory to the Director is produced showing that the violation is cured, whichever occurs first. Summary revocations shall extend until the end of the annual license period or until any administrative or judicial appeal is finally concluded in the licensee's favor, whichever occurs first. 2. Suspension or Revocation. If a timely appeal is not filed by the licensee pursuant to Section 6.315.430, the notice of suspension or revocation shall be final. Suspensions or revocations become effective upon the date any notice of suspension or revocation or order on appeal affirming such notice becomes final. Suspensions shall extend until evidence satisfactory to the Director is produced showing that the violation is cured or, if the violation provides for a specific period of suspension for the specific period of time listed. Revocations shall extend until the end of the annual license period. 3. Except in the case of a summary suspension or revocation as provided in subsection E1 above, whenever a timely appeal is filed pursuant to Section 6.315.430, a licensee may continue to engage in the activity for which the license is required pending a final decision on appeal. (Ord. 118443, § 1(part), 1996.)

Seattle Mun. Code ch. 6.315, subch. V, § 6.315.430 Administrative appeals process.

6.315.430 - Administrative appeals process. A. Any notice of denial, violation, suspension or revocation shall state that the licensee is entitled to a Director's hearing upon written request, to respond and provide information to refute or mitigate the violation. Upon written request filed within ten (10) days after the date of the notice of denial, violation, suspension or revocation, the Director shall set a hearing date and time to be held as soon as possible and not more than fourteen (14) days from the date of the notice. B. The hearing shall be held by the Director or the Director's designee. C. Within ten (10) days of the hearing, the Director shall issue a written decision including factual findings and the Director's conclusion, with supporting reasons, affirming, modifying or reversing the notice. The decision shall be mailed by first class mail to the address of the licensee listed on the application or provided as new information pursuant to the requirements of Section 6.315.070. D. The decision of the Director is final if only a monetary penalty is imposed or if no timely appeal is filed pursuant to subsection E for those decisions subject to further appeal. E. If the Director's decision imposes or affirms a denial, suspension or revocation, a licensee may appeal the decision to the Hearing Examiner by filing a notice of appeal with the Hearing Examiner within fifteen (15) days after the date of the decision. F. If a timely notice of appeal is filed, a hearing shall be scheduled and conducted by the Hearing Examiner according to the Hearing Examiner rules for contested cases. G. The Hearing Examiner may affirm, modify or reverse the decision of the Director. (Ord. 118443, § 1(part), 1996.)