Scott Elder
Neighborhood Codes Enforcement Manager
Suite 520, City County Building
[email protected]
865-215-4311
Neighborhood Codes Enforcement investigates codes violations regarding dilapidated buildings, dirty or overgrown lots, illegal dumping and abandoned vehicles.
You have several options available for requesting an inspections from a Code Enforcement officer.
You can call 3-1-1 (865-215-4311) and register a complaint with the 311 Center for Service Innovation during normal business hours.
You can
register a complaint online with the 311 Center for Service Innovation.
| GENERAL TYPES OF COMPLAINTS |
Condition Inside of a House
Do you have a complaint about the condition of the inside of a house? All housing must be in good repair to make sure our residents are safe and healthy.
You can report a complaint if a property has:
• Electrical or Plumbing deficiencies
• Inoperable Mechanical equipment
• Damaged or non-functional doors and windows
Condition Outside of a House
Do you have a complaint about the condition of the outside of a house or building? All houses and buildings must be in good repair to make sure our community members are safe and healthy.
You can report a complaint if a property has:
• Broken or damage windows
• Holes or areas where animals could get in
• Damaged gutters, railings, siding or other features
• Peeling paint
• Trees and shrubs not maintained or causing damage to sidewalks or structures
Tall Grass or Trash
Do you have a complaint about tall grass or trash in a yard? It's important to prevent issues associated with tall grass and trash as it can create general health & safety hazards, washing into streams or sewers, become a refuge for insects and vermin, and create foul odors. Property owners are responsible for making sure they maintain their lots and yards.
You can report a complaint if a property has:
• Loose trash or rubbish in their yard or on their porch
• Grass, vines, underbrush or weeds are taller than 12 inches
• Having furniture like couches or recliners on an open porch or in the yard
Abandoned or Inoperable Vehicle
Do you have a complaint about an unused or inoperable vehicle on private property? Inoperable vehicles are unsightly, have the potential to be a fire or environmental hazard and could pose a threat to the health and safety of our community members.
Inoperable vehicles can be reported when:
• Illegally parked on public property for more than 48 hours
• Left unattended on public property for more than 30 days.
• On private property without consent of the owner for more than 48 hours.
• Lacks major or essential mechanical or body parts.
• Is junked or partially assembled.
• Has been burned or flooded throughout.
• Cannot be driven legally on public streets under City and State ordinances.
• Is otherwise incapable of moving under its own power.
• Does not comply with State and City Codes with respect to license and registration.
• Has one or more tires missing or not fully inflated.
• Has more than one broken window.
• Has not moved under its own power in 15 days.
Vacant or Unsecured Houses or Buildings
Do you have a complaint about a house or building without secured windows and doors? Property owners are responsible for the security of a vacant house.
You can report a complaint if a vacant house or building has:
Windows, doors, or other openings that don't shut or lock
Broken doors or windows
Illegal Dumping
Do you have a complaint about illegal dumping? It is illegal to place garbage, brush, leaves and / or bulky trash on any property except your own.
You can report any incident of illegal dumping and should be able to report:
• Vehicle tag number
• What was dumped
• Where illegal dump is located
For more information on these areas and the services they provide, please see our Frequently Asked Questions below or choose from the links provided at the bottom of the page. If you have a request for one of the services that we provide, please contact 3-1-1.
|
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
How Do I Make a Complaint?
You can call 3-1-1 or 865-215-4311 or write or visit the Neighborhood Codes Enforcement office to register a complaint.
What Constitutes a "Dirty or Overgrown Lot?"
Trash and debris which have accumulated on a piece of property, overgrown vines, underbrush or grass over 12 inches high are all violations of city codes.
How Long Do I Have to Correct a Lot Problem? What If I Miss the Deadline?
The owner has 14 days from the date of the letter outlining the code violations to correct them. If violations are not corrected, a city crew will correct the violations by cleaning or mowing the lot and bill the owner. The owner can be cited to Municipal Court, where substantial fines and penalties can be imposed.
How Long Do I Have to Correct a Building Problem? What If I Miss the Deadline?
The owner has up to 120 days from the date of the letter outlining code violations to bring the structure up to code, depending on the seriousness of the violations. If the owner does not take care of the problem in that time, the case may go before the Public Officer Hearing or the Better Building Board, which could order demolition, acquisition or mandatory repair of the structure. Any costs incurred by the city in correcting these violations are charged to the property owner. If not paid, the costs become a lien against the property. Municipal Court fines and penalties are also possible for Housing and Building Code violations.
What Is the Public Officer Hearing?
A key part of the city's effort to achieve cleaner and safer neighborhoods is the Public Hearing Officer. This person starts action to force property owners to make repairs or to demolish unfit structures through the city's police powers over dangerous structures.
A lien can be placed against the property to recover expenses incurred as a part of compelling the property owner to comply with city codes requirements.
The Public Officer’s Hearing, is usually the last Friday of each month, at 9:30 a.m., in the Small Assembly Room of the City County Building.
The Public Officer's orders may be appealed to the Better Building Board, which meets the last Thursday of each month, at 3:30 p.m., usually in the Small Assembly Room of the City County Building.
What Constitutes an "Abandoned Vehicle?"
• Illegally parked on public property for more than 48 hours
• Left unattended on public property for more than 30 days.
• On private property without consent of the owner for more than 48 hours.
What Constitutes an Inoperable Vehicle?
• Lacks major mechanical or body parts
• Is junked or partially disassembled
• Cannot be driven legally on public streets
• Cannot move under its own power
How Long Do I Have to Move an Inoperable Vehicle?
After an inspector has checked to see if the vehicle is inoperable and has placed a sticker on it, the owner has seven days to make it operable if it is on private property, or 48 hours, if it is on public property. If the vehicle is not made operable or towed away within the deadlines set on the sticker, the vehicle will be transported to an impoundment lot and the owner will be billed accordingly. Municipal Court fines and penalties may also be imposed. In a cooperative agreement with the National Kidney Foundation, the Neighborhood Codes Enforcement will assist any vehicle owner with a clear title in donating any unwanted vehicles to the foundation, allowing them to be towed off at no charge and providing a tax deduction to the owner.