Code Enforcement Process

Notice to Comply

The city always strives to obtain voluntary compliance. Unless the matter is a life-safety issue, a Notice to Comply will be sent to the responsible party. This notice will include the issue which the City finds in violation and steps which need to be taken.

Violation Citation

If an ordinance or regulation is being violated, the Community Development Department will issue a Violation Citation. The violation citation may be issued to the property owner or to the tenants/occupants, or to both.

The violation citation will describe the regulation that is being violated and the Corrective Action that needs to be taken. If the corrective action is completed by the date given, there will be no fines or penalties.

Hearing

If the corrective action is not completed, the person(s) to whom the citation is directed must appear at a Hearing before the City’s Violations Hearing Examiner. Cost, fines, and other penalties may be assessed at this time.

In addition, the violations hearing examiner may issue and Abatement Order requiring the work be completed by a specific date. If the work still isn’t done, the city can the take action against the violator.

Penalties

This action may include the filing of Criminal Charges in Municipal Court, or the city may also proceed by filing for Civil Relief in Superior Court.

Penalties will typically be increased for Repeat Violators.

If costs, penalties and costs of abatement are not paid, they can be collected in a variety of ways, including a Lien against the property.