Ins and Outs of Code Enforcement FAQ
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Why
does the City have to have a code enforcement program? How is what you
do different than our public safety officers in the police and fire
departments?
Code enforcement is a specialized field in that most of the codes or
laws enforced are those that are adopted by the local governing body or
the City Council. They reflect the needs of the community. We also enforce
State codes, as is the case with building, housing, and fire code and
health and safety code.
The only difference between what we enforce and what Police and Fire
enforce is the nature of the violation. Whereas, Police and Fire respond
primarily to serious fire and life safety issues while they are happening,
we respond to violations that may or may not be days, weeks and even
months old. Many of the violations relate to property issues rather than
issues directly related to persons.
- How does
enforcing codes benefit the community?
If the neighborhoods and the business districts are maintained, for
example, abandoned vehicles removed, rubble and rubbish visible from right
of ways cleaned up, illegal signage removed, vacated property and
buildings are maintained, graffiti from both public and private property
is removed, and illegal overcrowded rental units are abated… the community
as a whole becomes a nicer place to live and raise a family.
This area relies on tourism, if the City were blighted and unsafe,
people would not want to visit here.
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The Code Enforcement Officer works closely with our various neighborhood
and business groups. How do you make sure that we know their concerns and
issues?
We have an open door policy regarding the neighborhood/business
associations. The presidents/board members can call or email me at any
time with questions and complaints. We also attend their association
meetings to get more of a feel for the issues that are unique to their
neighborhood. We have attend meetings where the members present were
concerned with the illegal parking of vehicles in the front yard setbacks.
This is what they feel is blighting their neighborhood. In another part of
town, it's illegally constructed fences and so on……
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How can the community help make sure they are following City codes? How
are community members informed about City codes?
We are
currently working on a pamphlet that we would like to see available to all
realtors and as part of a handout when a residential property inspection
is conducted. Right now, I would encourage all residents to call or email
the City before you begin any project to find out if there are specific
codes that pertain to you. In the past, articles have appeared in the
City Focus and in neighborhood newsletters and these have been helpful
in educating the community.
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How do you learn about most violations? Do you drive around and monitor
our neighborhoods and business districts?
No. Because we only have one code enforcement officer in the City,
there would not be enough hours in a day to patrol the City for
violations. We do monitor on-going violations. These are violations that
have been previously worked on and know will return…. like illegal signs,
abandoned vehicles and boats on the street, and that illegal unit that
after remaining vacant for a year to two is now occupied once again. To
some violators it is like a game of catch me if you can.
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You work with housing and business inspections as well, what do you look
for when inspecting a building?
With substandard housing complaints we look for anything that may be,
or become, a fire, life safety concern. Smoke detectors are probably one
of our biggest issues. Either there are none or the battery has been
removed and it is inoperable. As with the detectors we want to be sure
that if an emergency existed, say a fire in the front area of the house,
(the front door area to be specific), was engulfed in flames, that the
tenant was first alerted to the danger hopefully by the detector and,
secondly was able to exist the bedroom easily. Either through a second
doorway or a window designed for egress. Another housing violation that we
see a lot is improper installation of water heaters. Most heaters on the
peninsula are gas and require specific vents and straps. Permits are
required to install new heaters so that the City can verify they are
installed properly, however most property owners will do the work without
one.
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How do you resolve issues? Do you spend a lot of time writing citations?
A quick scenario would be…..we receive a complaint. Usually, we will
verify it by a field inspection. Once verified, a warning letter is
generated with a time frame in which to correct. Another field inspection
is conducted. If the violation continues past the time frame a citation
will be issued. If the violation still continues another citation would be
issued and so on…….
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Where
can we get more information? Or report a problem?
Call 646.3750;
Report a problem online or visit
www.monterey.org
- We are hearing a lot about budget
issues and possible reduction in services and programs at the City,
how
will this affect code enforcement in our neighborhoods?
Code enforcement is a team effort. We rely on other departments such as
planning and building to research and verify certain property issues
related to variances and permits. These departments are faced with staff
reductions and may be unable to perform research work quickly. This will
mean time delays in regards to how long it may take to correct or even
respond to violations.
- During these economic uncertain times,
should people expect the same level of service? Are there things you
can’t/won’t be able to do?
There will never be things that we can't or won't be able to do. It
just may be a slower process than before. We may not have the same level
of support from other departments which means additional research within
our own department and ultimately slower response to some complaints. As
always, those complaints that may be of a fire, life, safety situation
will still have first priority. Illegal banners for instance, will
obviously fall to the bottom of list.
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What types of violations do you see most often?
Without a doubt, illegally constructed units and garage conversions
into living space. As the price of homes increase on the peninsula so does
the need for some property owners to supplement their incomes with rental
income. This is a serious problem in that these "units" are usually put in
by either unlicensed contractors or the property owner himself. The work
is poor and sometimes may endanger the occupants. Many of these so-called
units are then rented to unsuspecting students because they are lower rent
than the legal ones.
Secondly, I would say abandoned vehicles, boats and trailers parked on
the streets and in driveways that have flat tires and cobwebs, or are
unlicensed.
- How can people make
your job easier?
We encourage neighbors to talk to their neighbors. When we receive a
complaint against a neighbor we ask the complainant if they have talked to
the neighbor they are complaining about first. In some cases they feel
intimidated and want no contact with the person, however we explain to
them that that person may not be aware there is a problem. If the City
just shows up without any warning, it could cause a rift that could last
forever. The neighborhood associations are very helpful. We encourage
members to become involved with their local association.
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