Zoning & Development Violations

The Planning Services Division enforces zoning and nuisance ordinances to protect the character, health, and welfare of the City and its neighborhoods. In many cases, zoning and nuisance violations are complaint driven. Persons witnessing a violation should complete an alleged zoning violation complaint form (PDF) and submit it to the Planning Services Division. Following receipt of a complaint and field-verification of a violation, a Notice of Violation is delivered to the property owner establishing a set period of time to correct the violation.

While the Planning Services Division enforces all aspects of the Unified Development Ordinance and certain nuisance ordinances, examples of specific complaint driven violations are detailed below.

ZONING VIOLATIONS

Violation of these and the following standards are handled by the Zoning Administrator.

Excessive Residential Occupancy

The Planning Services Division uses the zoning regulations definition of a family to determine occupancy of a dwelling unit. According to the Unified Development Ordinance, Chapter 72-84, Definitions, a family means "one person or two or more persons related by blood, adoption or marriage, living and cooking together as a single housekeeping unit, with no more than two boarders, or a group of not more than three unrelated persons living together as a single housekeeping unit." For more information on this, please see the Planning Services Division flyer on Residential Occupancy (PDF).

DEVELOPMENT & NUISANCE VIOLATIONS

Violation of these and the following standards are handled by the Development Administrator.

Garbage, Trash, and Refuse

The City Code requires property owners and tenants to keep all exterior private property free from litter and garbage. Trash, garbage, litter, and debris must be stored in proper containers and disposed of appropriately. Also, discarded or abandoned refrigerators or appliances may not be stored on any property.

Illegal Signage

It is illegal to post signs on utility poles or to place any signs in the City right-of-way. Pennants, streamers, persons holding signs, or other attention getting devices are also prohibited.

Weeds and Grass

The City Code requires property owners and tenants to keep weeds and grass cut to a height of no more than 12-inches. Following receipt of a complaint and field-verification of a violation, a Notice of Violation is delivered to the property owner allowing 10 days to correct the violation. After 10 days, a follow-up inspection is performed and any uncorrected violation will be corrected by the City or a City approved contractor. The property owner is billed for the work performed by the City and the City Treasurer collects the debt.