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Code Abatement questions (FAQ)Municipal Laws and Regulations1. What is a Code Abatement? Abatement is when the city hires someone to fix the code violation for you. 2. Where I can I read the City's codes? Go to your states government website, look up "code abatement" in the search box. 3. What do code enforcements officers do? Code enforcement officers patrol neighborhoods and commercial properties looking for code violations. They also respond to reports of code violations made by residents. Code enforcement tracks each violation to its completion. 4. I just found a door hanger from a code enforcement officer on my property. What does that mean? A code enforcement officers noticed a code violation on your property. The officer stopped by to contact someone on the property, but no one was there, so a door hanger was left specifying the violations witnessed. Please correct the violation or contact the code enforcement officer within three days, or a courtesy notice may be issued. 5. What is a courtesy notice? A courtesy notice informs property owners of a code violation and the time allotted to correct the violation, which range from 48 hours to 30 days after issuing of the notice. If the violation is corrected, the officer will leave a postcard thanking the landowner for complying. If the violation is not corrected, the officer can leave another door hanger, schedule an abatement or leave a citation at the property. 6. Why did I get a courtesy notice when my yard looks great and I see other homes that do not? Please remember that a notice does not mean your home looks bad. Homes can receive notices for violations such as overhanging trees, trash cans not covered, etc. These situations can pose safety hazards and therefore are enforceable, regardless of the condition of the home and yard. 7. What if I can't finish all the work by the due date? Contact the code enforcement officer immediately. Do not wait until the due date. Code officers are willing to make reasonable accommodations. If this is your first offense, a "reasonable" time frame can be longer than if we had notified you in the past two years of similar violations. 9. What do I do if I disagree with the notice? Please contact the code enforcement officer immediately. The officer will be glad to meet with you and to explain why the notice was issued. 11. What is an abatement? Abatement is when the city hires someone to fix the code violation for you. This usually occurs after a courtesy notice has been issued and the violation was not corrected. Then a lien is filed on the property to correct the violation, which is typically $250-$350. 12. When will you abate my property? Abatements are only done if the violation is not corrected and the code officer has not been contacted by the due date written on the courtesy notice. If the courtesy notice is ignored, abatements can be done as soon as the first day after the due date. Vacant property is more likely to have an abatement. 13. What happens if I get a citation? If you receive a citation, you will need to pay the $150 fine within 10 days and correct the violation within 15 days of the date on the citation. If the violation is not corrected, a second citation will be issued with a $500 fine and allowing 15 more days to comply. Third and subsequent citations automatically include a $999 fine. 15. What is an illegal vehicle? A vehicle that has expired or no license plates, is wrecked, dismantled or inoperable, is an illegal vehicle. Illegal vehicles cannot be parked on city streets or parked on your property within the public's view. Illegal vehicles must be stored in an enclosed building or must be screened off by a six-foot opaque fence and parked on an approved surface. No more than three illegal vehicles can be stored behind a fence. 16. How does my yard need to be maintained? Front and side yards must be landscaped and maintained substantially weed free. Landscaping can include living and non-living ground cover such as grass, rock, mulch, bushes, trees, flowers, cement areas, gazebos, etc. Grass should be maintained less than 8 inches high. 17. What is considered litter? Items that are not designed or intended for outside use cannot be stored outdoor a home or building. Storing items such as car parts, unused construction material, boxes, newspapers, household trash, appliances, indoor furniture, wood, tree cuttings, tires, chemicals, carpet, mattresses, etc. outside the property is not allowed. 18. What is minimum housing maintenance? Homes must be maintained to be water, rodent, and weather proof. This includes paint that is chipping and peeling, as well as screens on all opening windows and exterior doors. Glass must also be in good repair with no cracks. Wood surfaces need to be maintained to prevent rotting or replaced when rotting occurs.  |
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