Code Enforcement [2024 Guide] - OpenGov (2024)

What are common code violations?
What are the benefits of effective code enforcement?
What is the typical code enforcement process?
What tools and technologies should my municipality consider using in code enforcement efforts?
How do I get my community involved in code enforcement?

Imagine a community where every property is well-kept, streets are clean and safe, and the character of each neighborhood is preserved. Sounds like a utopia? Maybe. But with effective code enforcement, your community can get closer to this vision.

Code enforcement may not be something your average resident or business owner considers when they think about what makes your community great. But you know that behind the scenes, your dedicated staff works tirelessly to ensure codes are followed, not just for the sake of compliance, but to protect your community’s health, safety, and vitality.

In that way, code enforcement is a powerful tool to maintain quality of life and foster a sense of pride.

Getting Started: What is Code Enforcement?

Your community likely has a plethora of laws, regulations, and ordinances that protect the safety, health, and general welfare of your residents and visitors. Essentially, code enforcement ensures everyone abides by the rules. By effectively carrying out code enforcement in your community, you help maintain property values, improve quality of life, and ensure your residents and others live and work in a safe environment.

Tackling Common Code Violations

Because code violations significantly impact your community, addressing them quickly is crucial. We’ve put together a list of the most common issues and violations communities face that can be mitigated with effective code enforcement.

Property Maintenance Issues: These violations likely stem from property owners who neglect to upkeep their property. Not only do property maintenance issues negatively affect a neighborhood’s overall appearance and safety, they can spread like a virus. When one property owner neglects their home, others may follow. Overgrown lawns, accumulating trash and debris, broken windows, peeling paint, and dilapidated buildings harm neighborhoods. It’s best to nip poor property maintenance in the bud to prevent these problems and maintain your community’s visual appeal and safety.

Zoning Violations: You, your staff, and electors put time into creating zoning laws that regulate land use and development to ensure healthy growth. It’s important not to let violators off the hook. Violations can include operating a business in a residential neighborhood, making unallowable building modifications, or exceeding building heights. By enforcing your zoning laws, you maintain the intended character of your community’s business parks and neighborhoods.

Health and Safety Hazards: Improperly disposing of hazardous materials, unsanitary living conditions, unsanitary commercial food preparation, pest infestations, and unsafe electrical and plumbing systems are all examples of health and safety violations that pose a risk to residents and the environment. Keep your residents safe and the environment clean with strict health and safety enforcement.

Building Code Violations: Building codes set standards for building construction and maintenance to ensure they are safe and habitable. Common examples may include constructing buildings that are not permitted in a neighborhood, such as a shed; failure to follow electrical or plumbing codes when building or remodeling; failing to follow fire safety measures; or failing to comply with accessibility standards. Substandard construction can pose dangers to residents and visitors, so it’s important to ensure buildings meet local, state, and federal requirements.

Code enforcement may also come into play for parking violations, animals allowed to run at large, public nuisances like loud music, listing a home as a short-term rental without a permit, or parking vehicles on the property for a long period of time. Essentially, where a hazard or a nuisance may exist, a code can be written to mitigate it.

Why Code Enforcement Matters

Public safety is perhaps the most important outcome of effective code enforcement. But, code enforcement’s long-term effects are far more reaching. Let’s take a look.

Code enforcement builds a sense of community. Because code enforcement mitigates so many problems, your community will be more united around its upkeep.

Code enforcement enhances economic development. New residents and businesses, as well as visitors, are attracted to a community that boasts amenities, including well-maintained streets, parks, and neighborhoods. The better your community, the more likely people will be willing to invest in it.

Code enforcement increases property values. Neighborhood blight brings property values down. Enforcing codes keeps neighborhoods strong, translating into higher values and more tax dollars.

Code enforcement improves quality of life. With higher property values and aesthetically pleasing neighborhoods, your residents will feel a sense of pride in their community.

To enjoy the benefits of effective code enforcement, it’s important to note that enforcement requires a collaborative effort between local governments and the community. Municipal staff and residents must work together to identify issues, educate the public, and implement solutions that benefit everyone. More on that later.

The Code Enforcement Process

A structured and systematic approach to code enforcement is crucial in maintaining your community’s safety, health, and quality of life. Code enforcement involves several key steps, each designed to ensure your local laws and regulations are followed effectively and efficiently.

Step 1: Receive a Complaint or Staff Notes Incompliance During an Inspection

You put your trust in residents and property owners to do the right thing. When they don’t, they often are called out, either by someone filing a complaint or through a routine inspection.

Step 2: Investigate and Document

Once a code violation is brought to light, your code enforcement officers become detectives. They’ll need to investigate, gather evidence, and document what they find. Documentation may include photographs, a written description of what is observed during the Investigation, and collection of any other pertinent information that supports the case. With code enforcement software made for local government, officers can use a mobile device in the field to attach photos and other information to the case, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual data entry.

Step 3: Give Notice of Violation and Request Corrective Action

If officers confirm a code has been violated, they give formal notice to the responsible party. The notice needs to include the specific code or codes violated, along with an outline of what must be done to correct the issue. This is generally considered an official warning that requires issues to be resolved within a certain timeframe.

Step 4: Follow-up and Verify Compliance

Once the time for taking corrective action has passed, officers need to follow up to ensure issues are resolved. It’s essential to stay on top of these deadlines. Code enforcement software can make this process headache-free by sending reminders to your officers when deadlines expire, so they can make timely follow-up visits.

Step 5: Taking Further Action for Unresolved Issues

Unfortunately, not every code violator will work to resolve the issue. Your municipality should have a clear, written process in place for these situations. You may opt to give them another chance to comply and/or assess fines or fees until the issue is resolved. In extreme cases where issues go unresolved, you may choose to hire someone or have a staff member address the issue. In those cases, local governments charge for these services. Some require the charges to be paid within a specific timeframe, and when not paid, place a lien against the property.

To ensure violators resolve issues, it’s important to keep an open line of communication with them. And stay persistent. Remember that your community counts on its local government to maintain a high quality of life. It’s important to uphold your community’s standards with strict code enforcement.

Code Enforcement Officers: Critical to Community Vitality

Your code enforcement officers are vital to maintaining your community’s safety, health, and overall quality of life. That’s a tall ask! These officers are faced with various situations each day that require them to have technical knowledge while also possessing skills in communicating diplomatically and professionally with code violators and complainants.

If you are to write a job description for a code enforcement officer, it probably would list a wide range of duties and responsibilities. They:

• Conduct inspections of residential, commercial, and public properties to ensure property owners adhere to building codes, zoning laws, and health and safety regulations.

• Investigate complaints and meticulously document their findings.

• Issue notices and outline corrective actions when verifying violations.

• Engage with property owners and the community to educate people about code requirements and the importance of compliance.

• In some cases, may need to present findings in court to support enforcement actions.

The list above reiterates the need for code officers to have a blend of technical and interpersonal skills. Skills and qualifications likely include:

• Knowledge of local building codes, zoning ordinances, and health and safety regulations.

• Analytical and observational skills to identify violations and determine the appropriate corrective measures.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively interact with property owners, residents, and stakeholders.

You may also require your officers to hold certifications from organizations, such as the International Code Council (ICC), to demonstrate their competence and professionalism.

The ICC, as well as the American Association of Code Enforcement (AACE) and state-specific associations offer certification programs, continuing education courses, and conferences for officers to continue honing their skills.

Because the regulatory landscape constantly changes, it’s important to provide continuous training for your code officers. Professional organizations and educational institutions may offer training on the latest laws, technologies, and best practices in code enforcement.

Not only do these opportunities improve officers’ technical knowledge, it gives them the ability to network with other professionals in the field to share best practices. With ongoing education, enforcement officers will be more effective in addressing challenges in the field.

Making the Job Easier with Code Enforcement Tools and Technologies

Many local governments have modernized their code enforcement with a variety of tools and technology, including code enforcement software with mobile inspection apps, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), data management systems, and drones. These technologies streamline the inspection process, improve data accuracy, and lead to better communication and coordination among enforcement officers.

Code Enforcement Software with Mobile Inspection Apps

Code enforcement software has been a game-changer for municipalities. It has the ability to centralize data and case management; it features a portal that allows constituents to report violations while also accepting online payments from violators; it includes a mobile app—the perfect field assistant for uploading photos; and offers centralized, visual reports and dashboards for better decision-making.

Its superpower: The software reduces paperwork for busy officers while minimizing the risk of errors. Plus, real-time data entry when using the app speeds up the inspection process and ensures records are up-to-date and easily accessible.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

GIS systems, with spatial analysis capabilities, help code enforcement officers and decision-makers see patterns of violations. With this information, officers can prioritize areas for inspection. OpenGov’s code enforcement software seamlessly integrates with GIS software to give you a better view of code enforcement activity throughout your community.

Its superpower: Municipal leaders may identify deeper issues in an area that require further intervention.

Data Management Systems

Just as their name implies, these systems store, organize, and retrieve information related to code violations, making it easier to track cases, generate reports, and analyze trends over time. The capability of these systems is already embedded in code enforcement software, empowering local government staff with more strategic decision-making and proactive enforcement.

Its superpower: Staff members can organize and analyze large volumes of information, enabling them to identify trends, allocate resources more effectively, and make informed decisions.

Drones

More municipalities are equipping their officers with drones to use in aerial inspections. They are especially helpful in hard-to-reach areas, providing a comprehensive view of properties and helping identify violations that might not be visible from the ground. It’s imperative that officers who use drones be trained and certified to pilot the device.

Its superpower: Drones may be a safer and more efficient way to monitor large or difficult-to-access areas, reducing the time and cost associated with traditional inspection methods.

Overall, these technologies improve code enforcement accuracy, efficiency, and transparency, leading to better compliance and heightened community well-being.

Maintaining Community through Collaboration

The saying, “It takes a village,” certainly applies to code enforcement. Whether it’s internal staff or community members, everyone plays a fundamental role in effective code enforcement.

Collaboration Starts Within

Collaboration among municipal departments allows for a coordinated approach to enforcement. That’s because enforcement doesn’t stem from just one department. It often intersects among several departments, like Public Works, Health, Fire, and Planning. Working together, these departments can share information, resources, and expertise, leading to comprehensive and efficient enforcement.

Case in point: Fire Department personnel may identify a potential safety hazard that’s governed by Planning Department building codes. An integrated approach with open communication results in issues being addressed and resolved more quickly.

In addition, collaboration between code enforcement personnel and community development departments help to better align enforcement efforts with long-term planning and development objectives, creating a more cohesive and strategic approach to community growth.

Get the Community Involved

Engaging your community in code enforcement is equally essential. Residents are your eyes and ears of neighborhoods, serving on the front lines of identifying and reporting violations. You’ll make greater strides in enforcement by educating residents about how these efforts benefit the community as a whole. Take your community efforts once step further by opening your books, so to speak, revealing the data behind the success of code enforcement efforts. You’ll not only show residents tangible benefits of identifying violations, but you’ll also build their trust.

Code enforcement software is a multi-faceted tool that can boost enforcement efforts internally and externally.

• The platform makes internal collaboration easy with centralized information-sharing capabilities. Using our example of the Fire Department inspection, once personnel recognize the building code violation, they can input that information into the platform and assign it to a Planning Department inspector.

• The software features a public portal where residents can conveniently report violations.

• Dashboards and other reporting tools display real-time information on the status of reported violations and enforcement outcomes. This helps build accountability and trust with internal staff, electors, and the public.

Compliance Begins with Education

It’s likely your municipality has a plethora of codes that regulate everything from parking to building construction. Knowing and following codes can get complicated. Demystify the code enforcement process by raising awareness through outreach efforts. These efforts can range from having informational materials on hand to using social media to holding workshops or partnering with local organizations to spread the word. Empowered with this knowledge, property owners are more likely to stay in compliance and residents will take an active role in enforcement. Plus, these outreach efforts help reiterate compliance benefits, like higher property values, safer living conditions, and more aesthetically pleasing neighborhoods.

Proactive engagement and education can mitigate conflict. The root of many non-compliance issues is a lack of knowledge. By educating property owners about your municipal codes’ purposes and benefits, they will be more likely to comply. Also, involving community members in code development and revisions give them a sense of ownership. These efforts can foster a cooperative relationship with property owners, rather than an adversarial one.

By prioritizing internal collaboration and community involvement, code enforcement can be a positive force in your community.

How Others Have Aced Code Enforcement

With effective code enforcement you can drive significant—if not monumental—change. Cities around the nation have revitalized blighted neighborhoods, reduced crime, and enhanced community aesthetics. What’s more it contributes to a stronger sense of community and satisfaction in where people live and work.

For three OpenGov partners, effective enforcement began with the use of OpenGov Permitting & Licensing to enhance their communities.

Town of Ithaca, NY: Development in the town was on an upward trajectory. As proposed building projects skyrocketed, so too did permit applications and the need for eagle-eye inspections. Town leaders couldn’t miss a beat—or a crucial step in the process. So, they turned to OpenGov to replace their manual process with technology that managed permits and building inspections.

City of Pasco, WA: With 28% growth in 20 years, City leaders found themselves balancing community safety through effective building code enforcement with developers’ need to move quickly. By simplifying the process with OpenGov, the City increased its agility when working with developers.

Chatham County, NC: The County conducts about 40,000 inspections each year related to buildings, fire, and health. So when a ransomware attack shut down its online permitting service, staff was left scrambling. While they limped through their workload using various tools, like Excel and Google Docs, they needed a more secure, long-term solution. That solution: OpenGov.

In the end, code enforcement is about much more than rules and regulations. It’s about shaping the future of your community. The road toward your ideal community may not always be easy to navigate, but with collaborative efforts between your staff and residents, you’ll be on pace to reach your destination.