Code Enforcement includes the inspection, improvement, and rehabilitation of environmental hazards on public and private property by determining the presence of health hazards, nuisance violations, unsafe building conditions, junked and inoperable motor vehicles and violations of any health regulations or ordinances. Violations may be located by the Code Enforcement Officer or reported by any person. Upon inspection by the Code Enforcement Officer, the violator is notified of the violation, instructed on possible solutions and given a time frame in which to have the violation corrected. Non-compliance may result in the City of Statesville correcting the problem and billing the property owner for all work required, and/or a complaint being filed in Municipal Court against the violator.
Each year during the spring/summer season, the Statesville City Code Enforcement Office gets hundreds of requests for enforcement of the city's weeded lot ordinance.
To handle the violations as efficiently as possible, the Planning Department hires a temporary employee for the season. "We understand that overgrown lawns and lots take away from the appearance of our City ... and they are breeding grounds for bugs, mosquitoes, snakes and rodents," explained David Currier, Statesville Planning Director.
A lot is in violation of the ordinance when the grass is 15 inches or more tall. When a violation is discovered, the property owner receives a written notice and has 15 days to mow the grass. If the grass is not mowed, City crews will mow the lot and the owner is then charged for the labor at a rate of $250 for the first hour and $100 for each additional hour.
Currier said "vacant properties" make up the largest number of violations. "When a house is vacant or a lot is empty, the lawns tend to be ignored." Another common violation is the area next to the street. Property owners are also responsible for keeping the grass mowed in the right-of-way and the area between the sidewalk and curb.
To report a violation or obtain more information about Statesville's weeded lot ordinance, please complete the Contact Us form below.
