Code Enforcement

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The following city codes are enforced by our code enforcement officers: 

  • The Housing Code, which enforces the quality of the many thousands of dwellings, dwelling units, and rooming houses within the City of Columbus;
  • The Zoning Code, which regulates land use and licensed facilities, such as junk and salvage yards;
  • The Nuisance Abatement Code, which addresses the condition of vacant and blighted properties located within the City;
  • The Health, Sanitation, and Safety (Environmental) Codes, which regulates high grass, weeds, solid waste, and general sanitary maintenance of properties within the City, and;
  • The Graphics Code, which enforces laws having to do with signs located within the City (scroll down at link location for Graphics Code information).

We also work to ensure that the unique characteristics of Columbus' Historic Districts and Commission Areas are maintained and protected.

Code Enforcement Areas

Code Enforcement Areas within the City of Columbus

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Click for Interactive Map

The supervisors for the areas shown above are listed below:

AREAS 1 AND 3
Far West/
Franklinton/Southwest
Rob McNeal
614-645-3294
RCMcneal@Columbus.gov

AREA 2
Hilltop
Cory James
614-645-6352
CAJames@Columbus.gov 
AREA 4
OSU/Short North/5xNW
Mike Huggins
614-645-3296
MAHuggins@Columbus.gov 
 AREA 5
Southeast
Will Whatley
614-645-7928
wrwhatley@columbus.gov
 AREAS 6 AND 10
 
Northwest
Daniel McCann
614-645-7292
djmccann@Columbus.gov

 AREA 7
Far East

Bill Williams
614-645-0670
bwilliams@columbus.gov

 AREA 8
Central/Downtown
Cassondra Rice
614-645-0327
clrice@columbus.gov

 AREAS 9 AND 11
Northeast
Danielle Weber
614-645-0328
dxweber@columbus.gov

 AREA 12
North & South Linden
Deborah Coleman
614-645-0669
DaDcoleman@columbus.gov

Violation Notices: What's Next?

If you have received a Code Enforcement Violation Notice, you either own or are otherwise 'in control' (i.e. live in, lease, or manage) a property that has been found to have violations of the Housing, Zoning, Environmental, or Right-of-Way Code(s). 

I just received this Violation Notice.  What should I do?

  1. The first thing you should do is read the Notice. The Notice will tell you the address of the violation property, when the violations were observed by the Code Enforcement Officer, and what violations were present when the Code Officer made their inspection.  The Notice will also explain the possible legal penalties and your right to appeal. 
  2. Contact the Code Enforcement Officer named on the bottom of the first page of the Violation Notice.  Their phone number is located immediately underneath their name.  The Code Enforcement Officer can usually answer any question you may have about the property and the violations observed at the time of the inspection. 
  3. If you believe that the facts that are noted in the Violation Notice are wrong, or if you believe that the law is being misinterpreted, you have the right to appeal.  Scroll down to the section on Appeals to learn how to appeal a Violation Notice.
  4. COMPLY THE VIOLATIONS!  The Code Enforcement Officer will work with you if you need time to comply the cited violations of the City Code.  You may call the Code Enforcement Officer if you need a short extension, or contact the Code Enforcement Supervisor requesting a longer extension. 

 

How do I appeal the Violation Notice?

You have the legal right to appeal any notice that you receive from a Code Enforcement Officer.  These are the steps you need to take to appeal a Code Violation Notice:

  1. Call the Code Enforcement Officer listed on the Notice of Violation:  The Code Enforcement Officer will explain exactly what you need to do. 
  2. Prepare a written request for an appeal:  This request must be legible, and must clearly state the reasons you wish to appeal the Violation Notice. 
  3. Properly submit the request within the time frame noted on your Violation Notice:
    The time limits for appeals are:

For Housing and Weed/Solid Waste Violations -- 15 days
For Zoning Violations -- 20 days
For Emergency Violations -- 15 days

Depending on the type of violations that you are appealing, you will be heard by either the Board of Zoning Adjustment or the Property Maintenance Appeals Board. In either case, the following will occur:

  1. You will be contacted by the City when the date of your hearing is scheduled
  2. You will have an opportunity to give your side of the story, explaining the reasons behind your appeal
  3. The Violation Notice will either be upheld (remain in effect) and/or amended, or your appeal will be successful, and the Violation Notice will be administratively closed. 
 

Non-compliance of the Violation Notice

Failure to comply with a Code Enforcement Violation Notice is punishable by both criminal and civil penalties:

  • Criminal Penalties:  Violations of the Housing, Zoning, and Environmental codes are Misdemeanors of the First Degree.  These violations are punishable by fines of up to $1,000 (not including court costs) and 180 days in jail.  Violations of the Nuisance Abatement (Vacant Structure) codes are First Degree Misdemeanors, and are punishable by fines of up to $1000 (not including court costs) and 180 days in jail.  In addition, any money spent by the City to remove unsafe or unsanitary conditions from the cited property (i.e. securing a vacant house or removing solid waste from the exterior of a property) can be added to the fine. 

  • Civil Penalties:  If there is continued non-compliance, the City can file civil charges against an owner or person in control of a violation property.  This can lead to daily fines (up to and including $250 per day) and loss of the property via foreclosure.  Civil findings are permanent and further charges against an owner do not have to be filed via a new Violation Notice. 

If you have further questions about the Criminal or Civil Court process, please contact the Code Enforcement Court Liaison Section or go to the Franklin County Municipal Court webpage.

Code Enforcement Court Liaison Manager
Jody Young
 jayoung@columbus.gov
(614) 645-7759

 

Environmental Abatement Section

The Code Enforcement Environmental Abatement Section is responsible for:

  • Refuse and Solid Waste Inspection;
  • The City of Columbus Weed and Solid Waste Abatement Program;
  • The City of Columbus Environmental Blight Abatement Team;
  • Demolitions

 

The City of Columbus Weed and Solid Waste Abatement Program
The City of Columbus Weed and Solid Waste Abatement Program is responsible for cutting and/or removing high grass, noxious weeds, and solid waste from vacant lots and abandoned properties located in the City of Columbus.  In 2009, over 1,900 properties were mowed and/or cleaned by the Weed and Solid Waste Abatement Program.  Costs associated with mowing and cleaning up vacant lots and other abandoned properties are assessed against the taxes of those properties.

If you are interested in becoming a contractor for Weed Abatement and Solid Waste Removal, click here for more information.

 

The City of Columbus Environmental Blight Abatement Team
The Environmental Blight Abatement Team is responsible for:

  • Securing open and abandoned structures against entry from the ground floor;
  • Maintaining City-owned properties;
  • Emergency demolitions of small, accessory structures, such as residential garages;
  • General work in support of Code Enforcement and the Keep Columbus Beautiful program

 

Demolitions
The Environmental Division of Code Enforcement works with the Building Investigation Team of the Department of Building and Zoning Services and the Franklin County Municipal Court to arrange and contract the demolition of unsafe structures within the City of Columbus.  The Environmental Division also works with City, State, and Federal agencies to ensure that proper disposal of asbestos and other hazardous construction material occurs when properties are demolished by the City.

 

Refuse and Solid Waste Inspection
Solid Waste Inspectors respond to complaints of trash or debris in alleyways, overflowing trash containers, and improper use of trash and waste receptacles. If you wish to make a Solid Waste complaint, Click here or call (614) 645-311

If you have any additional questions about Code Enforcement’s Environmental Section, contact Mike Schwab.