Dispute Resolution Centers, Neighborhood Dispute Mediation Centers

Contents

• About Neighborhood Dispute or Mediation Centers
• Washington Local Government Programs
• Reference Sources

About

Most counties have nonprofit dispute resolution centers. Some jurisdictions have created Neighborhood dispute or mediation centers  to resolve nuisance related problems between neighbors.  If disputes between neighbors over nuisance related-items can be resolved through alternative methods such as mediation, the local government does not have to step in with a formal complaint investigation remedial process. Ch. 7.75 RCW authorizes cities and counties to create dispute resolution centers.   This page provides an overview and reference links to various programs.

• Washington State Dispute Resolution Centers - Office of Court Administrator
• Dispute Resolution - Washington Bar Association

Washington Local Government Programs

• Bellevue's Mediation Program began as a pilot project in the Code Compliance Division as an alternative to traditional enforcement of neighborhood issues. The program is designed to enable citizens to resolve neighborhood problems without government intervention, and at the earliest possible stage. Complaints referred to mediation fall into three categories: Where there are no codes covering the issue; complaints that are covered by code, but do not present life safety concerns are referred to mediation prior to investigation; cases which have been investigated and no violation or partial violation has been found.  
  • Bellevue Municipal Code Chapter 3.70 - Dispute Resolution Center
• Clark County Animal Program Community Mediation Services 
• King County - Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Lynnwood -  Neighborhood Disputes, Lynnwood Police Department 
• Mercer Island -  Mediation Services is a program administered by the Office of the City Attorney to help Mercer Islanders resolve disputes quickly, cooperatively, and cost-efficiently. Referrals to the program come from city departments, the police, community agencies and citizens who request program services.
• Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 2.72 - Dispute Resolution Program
• Vancouver-Clark County Community Mediation Services (CMS) Vancouver Home Page, handles negotiable disputes arising between neighbors throughout the county. These are some of the nuisance situations CMS can help resolve: untrimmed hedges, loud stereos, challenged boundaries, abusive language, disputed parking spaces, trespassing in a flower garden, property damage, junk-strewn yards, vandalism, barking dogs, and harassment. It is noted that the majority of cases involve noise, interpersonal conflicts, animal complaints and property maintenance concerns. The program's goals are to enable neighbors to approach conflict with a positive attitude, and to develop the skills necessary to find mutually acceptable resolution to the concerns which challenge them.
• Establishment of a Neighborhood Dispute Resolution Program ( 537 KB) - Staff Report No. 214-92, 9/28/92
• City of Vancouver Neighborhood Dispute Resolution Center Program Plan ( 2,111 KB) September 1992
• Thurston County - Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County 

Reference Sources

• How to Set Up a Mediation Program for the City -- "Nuts and Bolts", by L. Elise Dieterich, J.D., ADR Options Consulting, Seattle. Information Bulletin No. 494 (1996), Legal Notes, Proceedings of May 8-10, 1996, pp. 19-1 - 19-19. MRSC Library Loan.
• National Association of Community Mediation
• Resolution Washington: Dispute Resolution Centers
  • List of Dispute Resolution Centers (Public and Nonprofit)
• Want to Resolve a Dispute? Try Mediation, OJJDP Youth in Action, March 2000, No. 13

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