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Most Commonly Asked Questions PDF Print E-mail
How do I report a violation?
There are several ways to report a violation.
  • Call the Neighborhood Preservation Division and ask to speak to a Neighborhood Preservation Officer who will take the complaint over the phone.
  • Come to the Community Development Department and submit a complaint with the counter staff.
  • E-mail your complaint to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

What type of complaints are considered property maintenance issues?
Property maintenance complaints may include but are not limited to:
  • Building partially destroyed or left partially constructed.
  • Open entryway (doors, windows, etc.) of a vacant structure not closed and maintained securely.
  • Overgrown, dead, or decayed weeds and vegetation.
  • Any exterior, wall, fence, driveway, sidewalk, etc., left in a state that would be unsafe or that is not in line with neighborhood standards.
  • Attractive nuisance to children (i.e. pool, machinery or equipment).
  • Construction equipment/machinery parked in public view.
  • Lumber, junk, trash and debris visible from public right-of-way.
  • Any motor vehicle or other mobile equipment parked on an unpaved surface in front or side yard.

Do I have to give you my name and telephone number?
No, but it helps in the event that we need to contact you to clarify an address or ask you a question pertaining to the complaint you have filed. It also allows us to notify you in the event that the property violation is already active in our database or if the complaint is out of our jurisdiction and to be referred to another department. If you do choose to leave your name and telephone number, it is kept completely confidential and under no circumstance is it released to anyone outside of our office other than by an order from a judge in court action.

I've made my complaint, how long do I have to wait before I see something being done?
After your complaint has been received, the average turn around time is two (2) to five (5) working days for a Neighborhood Preservation Officer to investigate the complaint. We make every attempt to respond to each complaint as soon as it is filed as each and every complaint is important to us. Complaints are prioritized according to potential health and safety hazard.

What do I do if I receive a "Notice of Violation" or a "Stop Work Notice"?
Each circumstance is different and therefore there is no one answer that will apply to every situation; however, Neighborhood Preservation staff is available and willing to discuss any notification which you may have received.

Who turned me in?
We receive complaints from a number of sources including internal referrals, outside agencies and the general public. Complainant information is confidential and will not be revealed.

My neighbors have violations, too. Why aren't you investigating them?
Current staffing levels only allow time for primarily complaint generated enforcement. If you suspect there is a code violation on another property, you may contact Neighborhood Preservation staff and provide this information. A case will be opened and the complaint will be investigated appropriately. If a violation is found to exist, the owner will be contacted and required to remove the violation and/or obtain the necessary permits for the violation.

How much will the permits cost to clear the violations?
Permit fees vary depending on the complexity of the project. Staff at the Permit Counter will assist you in determining your cost.

What do I need to do to clear the violation?
If no permit is required simply cease the illegal activity and call the assigned Neighborhood Preservation Officer to schedule an inspection. If a permit is required you must obtain a permit through the appropriate Department. The permit must be approved; all permit and Neighborhood Preservation fees must be paid; the permit must be issued; and, a final inspection must be scheduled to sign off the permit before the violation is cleared.

How much time do I have to clear the violations?
In most cases you are given 30 days to either abate the violation or apply for permits to abate the violation; however, the time frame is at the Neighborhood Preservation Officer's discretion depending on the severity of the violation.