City Codes are a collection of regulations and rules of conduct and procedure, according to Webster.

Most municipalities set up these rules with the expectation that they will help the citizenry to keep their city attractive to the general population; keeping junk off of properties, for example, or requiring that certain properties can only be used for specific purposes so that people who live in a residential area are not subjected to the noise or odors of an airport or a factory with its smoke.

Of course, if all people behaved as the general population liked, there would be no need for city codes. Because they don't, Municipal Code Enforcement Boards have been established and a Code Enforcement Officer is named to advise the citizenry when it is violating the City Code. This is Code Enforcement.

Absolutely. The City Building Department employs a full-time Code Enforcement Officer, Terry Magargle. He is responsible for responding to complaints on a wide range of violations.

If you violate a City code that has a monetary amount as the penalty for violation, you could potentially be fined for your mistake.

Yes. The easiest way to avoid being fined is to do your homework. Know some of the basic City codes that apply to you, and if you are unsure ask. One of the most common things that citizens get fined for is removal of trees without a permit. Yes, you do need a permit to remove a tree on your own property. Failure to pull a permit for this may result in a monetary penalty as well as your being required to replace the tree. If you are unsure of the rules on any issue, you may always contact one of the City Departments (from the contacts page) and City staff should be able to find an answer.

Sure we do. Our Code Enforcement Officer couldn't function without a Municipal Code Enforcement Board. The Code Enforcement Officer will investigate complaints on code violations, and will try to get the individual (if found to be in violation of City code) to come into compliance. The code enforcement board is needed when an individual is not willing to comply with City code.

The Municipal code enforcement board meets quarterly (January, April, July, and October) on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 3:00pm when there are no cases. The code enforcement officer can call a meeting when a case needs to be heard, it will be announced on the City Website (Meeting Schedule) and on ComCast Channel 2, unless it is an Emergency Hearing. Code Enforcement board hearings are open to the public and usually occur at 3pm on Wednesdays.