The house next door is a rental and the tenants are messy. There are inoperable cars in the driveway, the house siding and shingles are falling off the house. Can you make the owner do something?

Code enforcement works with both property owners and their tenants when enforcing responsible property maintenance standards. The property owner is usually contacted by mail regarding sub-standard conditions that occur at the property and tenants are contacted on site about violations that require their attention. The property owner is ultimately held jointly responsible for any continuing problems that result from the tenant’s lack of compliance.


Any structural or safety issue that would require a substantial financial investment to correct is usually the property owner’s responsibility, such as a leaking roof, dilapidated fencing, or collapsing adjacent storage structures, etc. Tenants have legal custody and control of the property so they are required to correct the violations that are of their making. They would be held accountable for either repairing inoperable vehicles or removing them from public view. They would also be held accountable for providing a continuing program of landscape maintenance and the removal of any trash, discards, or litter accumulations about the property.

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1. What is the purpose of code enforcement?
2. How does the code enforcement process work?
3. What are some common items that are considered a violation?
4. I want to report a property maintenance problem in my neighborhood but I don't want anyone to know I called. Do I have to give you my name?
5. What will Code enforcement do if I refuse to comply with the City's Municipal Code?
6. The house next door is a rental and the tenants are messy. There are inoperable cars in the driveway, the house siding and shingles are falling off the house. Can you make the owner do something?
7. My neighbor’s tree branches overhang onto my property and are dropping leaves into my yard/patio/garden, etc. Can the City make them trim the branches or remove the tree?