Many homeowners are unpleasantly surprised when they discover that they’ve been issued a notice of code violation.
One of the first steps that you can take right now to avoid finding yourself in this all too common situation is to inform yourself on the building codes & ordinances that govern your local city, town, or residential community.
Here is a list of the most common reasons why the owner of a residential property might be issued a notice of code violation.
1. Landscaping Code Violations
One of the most common types of code violations that homeowners can face has to do with unkempt landscaping.
When homes in a particular area have well-kept grass, trees and other types of decorative plants, it can serve to beautify the overall appearance of the neighborhood.
However, when a home’s exterior landscaping is unkempt, resulting in issues such as overgrown & discolored grass, weeds & tree growth that encroach onto the private property of others, it can result in a terrible eye sore for the overall community.
Depending on the local municipality, a property owner may be cited by code compliance for failing to address any number of these types of landscaping issues.
2. Vehicle Related Code Violations
Another common type of code violation issued in residential neighborhoods has to do with the parking & storage of cars & recreational vehicles.
Here are some of the most common types of vehicle related code violations issued in residential neighborhoods.
Unregistered, Junk or Abandoned Vehicles
Many local municipalities have strict rules regarding the parking & or storage of unregistered, junk or abandoned vehicles in residential neighborhoods.
Vehicles that contain expired plates, flat tires, damage from an accident or appear to be abandoned are prime targets for vehicle-related code violations.
To avoid being issued a vehicle-related code violation, all vehicles parked in your driveway should be registered & appear to be in proper working order.
Illegal Parking (Sidewalks, Swales, & Unpaved Surfaces)
To avoid being cited for improper parking, make sure you are keenly aware of the local municipal rules that govern vehicles parked in your neighborhood.
Some local governments will enact municipal codes that clearly outline where you are allowed to park & not park on your property.
Many cities will also prohibit you from parking in a manner that encroaches on a sidewalk, right-of-way or public access easement.
If you are parking a vehicle in the swale of your residential property, there may also be local ordinances that specify the number of tires that are allowed to be on the roadway while parked.
Likewise, some municipalities may also enact rules that prohibit the parking of vehicles on unapproved or unpaved surfaces.
Commercial Vehicles
It is imperative that you research the specific rules that govern the parking of commercial vehicles in your residential neighborhood.
Due to the large size & weight of most commercial work vehicles, some municipalities may enact ordinances that ban the parking of these commercial vehicles in a residential driveway.
Even if your local government allows it, a home owner’s association can still enact rules that prohibit these vehicles from being parked in the community.
Boats & Other Recreational Vehicles
Most municipalities have zoning rules that govern the parking and storage of boats & other recreational vehicles in the front yard, side or exterior of a residential property.
Typically, many cities & towns will require boats and other recreational vehicles stored on private property be licensed & insured.
Some local governments may also require that these vehicles be stored away & screened from public view, such as behind a privacy fence.
In addition, some municipal codes may even specify the maximum height, weight, or length of the boat or other recreational vehicles that can be parked on the residential property.
Your local zoning department can offer insights into what’s allowed and what’s not allowed for your particular neighborhood.
3. Bulk Trash & Debris (Off-Schedule)
Most cities, towns & local governments will publish a periodic schedule for what they designate as bulk trash pick-up days.
It is important that you be aware of the specific days of the month that your local government has designated for bulk trash pick-up.
Should a code enforcement officer drive-by your house on an off-schedule day & see bulk trash out on the property or curbside, you may be issued a code violation for failing to adhere to the local municipal rules regarding bulk trash pick-up days & times.
Likewise, any trash & debris that is visible on the exterior of your property will likely capture the attention of code enforcement officers.
This can include things such as garbage cans that have been left out by the roadway on trash collection days.
To avoid incurring various fines for improperly storing or putting out bulk trash and/or debris at the wrong time, please consult your local government to ensure that you adhere to the proper bulk trash pickup schedule.
4. Exterior Look & Feel
Overall, to reduce the likelihood of receiving a code violation, you will want to ensure that all aspects of the exterior look & feel of your home be in good condition.
Any visible signs of disrepair or safety concerns are a huge red flag for code enforcement officers.
Unsafe structures around your home can include but is not limited to things such as: damaged fences, broken windows, leaking roofs, & damaged walls.
Proactively working to upkeep the structural integrity of your home is a good way to avoid issues that may arise with code compliance down the line.
5. Doing Construction/Repairs without Permits
This is by far one of the most common reasons why homeowners get issued code violations.
Most local building departments will require that a homeowner or contractor apply for a building permit prior to starting most types of new construction or repair work on a residential property.
The process typically ensures that all proper building codes are followed during the construction process & that all parties carrying out the work are properly licensed & insured.
Should your local code compliance office discover that work was done on your property and all the necessary permits were not obtained, you will most likely be issued several code violations depending on the scale & scope of the work that was done.
Once the code violation has been issued, the homeowner will typically be given a deadline to address the violations & apply for the appropriate permits before fees begin to accrue.
Permits that are applied for after a violation has been issued may commonly be referred to as an “after the fact” permit application.
Certain building departments may include additional processes & charge additional fees for “after the fact” permit applications.
To avoid the absolute headache that comes with being issued a code violation for non-permitted work done on your property, it is always important that you consult your local building department prior to commencing any type of new construction or repairs.
Finally
For the most up to date information on the municipal codes & ordinances that govern your neighborhood, please consult your local building department or city hall to inquire about any questions or concerns that you may have.
Some local governments may even publish their most important municipal codes & ordinances in a free booklet, pamphlet or online brochure that can be found at city hall or on their website.