Code Enforcement
The Code Enforcement department / Code Official is responsible for the inspection and enforcement of residential and commercial properties based on the International Property Maintenance Code, the Richmond Municipal Code, and/or the Richmond Unified Development Ordinance.
Properties are inspected for violations including but not limited to:
- Decayed or damaged / leaking roofs,
- broken window glass
- flaking/peeling paint,
- units not supplied with water or adequate heat,
- rodent infestation or unsanitary conditions,
- overgrown grass, noxious weeds,
- junk/inoperative vehicles,
- electrical hazards,
- sign regulations,
- open and vacant structures,
- dilapidated buildings, and
- other deficiencies which render the properties substandard, or unsafe to its occupants or the general public.
Code Enforcement serves to maintain the high quality of life for our residents, business owners, and visitors. Code violations detract from the overall appearance of our homes, businesses, neighborhoods, and community. The code enforcement program is designed to help residents identify and correct violations in order to maintain a clean, safe and well-kept village. A well-kept village increases property values, helps to attract visitors, and enhances community pride.
How the Code Enforcement Process Works:
The process begins with a reactive or proactive inspection. ‘Reactive’ means we received a complaint regarding the existence of a potential violation. ‘Proactive’ means one of our code officials witnesses a violation without receiving a complaint first.
The village reserves the right to act within the laws and ordinances to bring properties into compliance beyond the steps outlined below. The following is an example of the steps we take to work towards compliance:
Step 1-Perform an inspection of the property.
Step 2-Attempt to speak to the property owner or tenant face-to-face and advise them of the violation and what is necessary for compliance or remediation. We believe this step to be very important. We don’t like sending out a notice of violation before hearing the property owner’s/tenants reason for having the violation. Most violations can often be resolved quickly once an understanding of the violation has been reached.
Step 3 – If the property owner or tenant cannot be spoken with then a courtesy notice will be issued. In the event there are multiple issues, then a courtesy notice stipulating those issues may be mailed. The Courtesy Notice of Violation IS NOT A FINE. The courtesy notice will describe what the violation is, cite the appropriate code, and state how long you have to bring your property into compliance. If you need more time, feel free to speak with the code official.
Step 4 – The property is re-inspected after the compliance date. If the property is in compliance, the case is formally closed.
Step 5 – If the property is not in compliance we may issue a Final Notice of Violation or have the violation abated (Hire a contractor to clean up the garbage, have the Village’s public works department mow the property, board up the vacant home, etc.)
Step 6 – If we’ve exhausted all of our options to help you bring the property into compliance, we will issue a (NTA) notice to appear before a judge in court. We hate to do this. We don’t like when people get fined. You work hard for your money and we don’t want a judge to fine you for something that could easily be resolved by bringing the property into compliance. Communicate with the code official and they will do their best to work with you.
If you have general code enforcement related questions, or have received a courtesy notice and aren’t sure what it means, or what to do to bring your property into compliance please use the form below:
To report a code related concern or a potential code violation please utilize the following form:
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