How To Find Out About Code Violations???.......
Hi everyone. I have a question. I contacted the city to find out how I would access reports of housing code violations. I was told that they are not accesible to the public. So , my question is,
How do we find out about code violations (ie. mold, garbage, etc finding those abandoned houses) 
Heidi
Hello Heidi70,
You will have to go there in person and speak with the code enforcement clerk. They will usually pull the report for you. Just tell them why you want this information and they will work with you. Trying to accomplish this over the phone will not yield the same results. A friendly smile will go a long way in getting what you want.
Evan as a contractor, Iv'e found the building inspectors less interested in teaching code more interested in dealing with expeirance.
All fedral codes are published I can't rememer the name of the book
In training inspectors The same materail is used. I've had things inspectors didn't catch then another one did in a few years. Codes are inturpreted differantly and can be contested and won. Its all ways good to be the 'expert" Learn the codes. Hope that helps??
Hi Heidi,
One thing to remember other than
what Vern and David told you...is that
Code Enforcement Officers are not only concerned with "safety issues"...they also
are guided by what the code was at the time the building was errected. Unless its a safety issue.....they may be limited
to what they can do.
When I do building inspections for customers...this is something that I must point out to them......I looking at "saftey issues"...not necessarily that the house is up to date with todays codes...
Good luck
The building department. Go and fill in a (FOIA) Freedom of Information Act form for the specific address your looking for.
It is public information, but the building department isn't going to babysit you while you look through everyones personal information. UNLESS you complete the form for each one.
James, is it not possible to get fill out a FOI Act form for "the list" of properties they have since city & county documents are open for inspection to the public?
Just curious,
Verb
I used to get a list but not any longer. Privacy and all that. The building standards dept here has meetings every month I believe and posts an agenda that they are considering for tear down or board and secure etc. Once you know the inspector for your area they are more willing to help. They look good if they can cause a building to get repaired etc
Good LUCK and HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Hope this helps some
Ted Jr
I'd have to agree with James. I've never had a problem finding out if a property has code violations. Building code violations are a different thing. That's alot of information to digest. The code requirements when the prop was built can differ drastically from current day code. But if you're looking for "prop maintenance" code, ie, how tall the grass, adding another driveway, required set-back, etc, most municipalities are happy to give you that info. Now if a prop has been cited, it is the Freedom of Information Act that allows you to reseach citation history. Legally they have to allow you access.
Just a little legal pointer here. The Freedom of Information Act only applies to federal agencies. There are usually state analogs but you wouldn't refer to these requests as being based on the FOI. These records are simply public record and accessible for that reason.
If I understood the underlying question correctly, you asked how you find out what violations a property has outstanding. The clerk's office is a good starting place. Another is to search the public records. In many states, Florida included, violations which are punishable by fine are recorded on the public record as a lien on the property. If you don't get anywhere with the clerk, this should be your next step.
J[ Edited by jorge121 on Date 12/31/2003 ]
Almost everything here in Los Angeles is now on what they used to call, "Machine Records." Translated, in computer.
Llike most things in life those that enforce are subject to divorce. Which means they better be helpfull or else they get canned. Or yelled at.
In days gone by whenever I got involved in some form of construction which was new to me. I would go into the Inspectors office in the early morning and ask questions. The advice which on occasion was unprintable, was always helpfull. I thanked them much and, named all my puppies after them.
Heres to codes. Lucius
Lufos you are too funny. You should do stand up!!!!
The FOI from the Building Inspectors office is going to yeald you the best results.
They will include everything they have found that needs attention. However, ther maybe things not found then that will be brought to your attention during the reinspection to issue the Certificate of Occupacy for the property.
Hopes this helps
One more thing about inspectors, there are two kinds, building inspectors, and home inspectors. Dont get these confused because home inspectors don't necesarily have to know all codes.