Cited for Blight

We are dedicated to maintaining the pristine and picturesque beauty of our city. To achieve this, we have established a proactive Anti-Blight department that takes great pride in keeping our community clean and beautiful. Below are the steps for how a Blight case is handled. You can also visit the City Ordinance Chapter 8.76 to learn more. 

What is Blight?

Initial Complaint and Investigation

When Blight is observed at a location in the City, complaints come into the Health and Social Services Department through 311, phone calls, or walk ins, and reaches the Anti-blight Office. The Anti-Blight and Condemnation Specialist then authenticates the complaint by verifying the address through the GIS system. Depending on the ownership of the property, one of two courses of action may occur.

If the property is City owned, the complaint is rerouted to the appropriate department and remediated.

If the address is privately owned, i.e. a home, the specialist will put the complaint in the system. Inspectors then receive the complaint and visit the property to investigate and take pictures for records.

If blight is NOT found,

pictures are uploaded, and case is closed.

If blight is found,

the inspector will upload the evidence to EnerGov and the  property owner will receive a Notice of Violation - Warning via mail and will be due for a 10 day re-inspection.

Notice of Violation - Fines

Because a Blight Violation was found after the complaint, the owner of the property will receive a Notice of Violation-Warning in the mail.  The owner has 10 days from the date on the letter to remediate (or fix) the violation on their property before the blight inspector re-inspects the property. To initiate an appeal, a formal request must be submitted within 10 days of receipt of this notice via website using the Anti-blight Appeal Form or walk in. Failure to request an appeal within this timeframe will result in the issuance of the applicable fine without further notice.

Re-inspection Day 10:

If blight is NOT found,

pictures will be uploaded, case updated to “In Compliance”, no fine will be charged, and the case will be closed

If the blight violation is not remediated,

pictures of the violation will be uploaded to EnerGov, and the property owner will receive a Notice of Violation - Fine $150/day for occupied properties or $250/day for vacant properties via mail and will be due for a 10 day re-inspection. 

Notice of Violation - Repeat Violation

Because a Blight Violation was found after the third blight violation, the owner of the property will receive a Notice of Violation-Warning in the mail.  The owner has 10 days from the date on the letter to remediate (or fix) the violation on their property before the blight inspector re-inspects the property. 

Re-inspection Day 10

If blight is NOT found,

pictures are uploaded and update the file. A hearing may be requested where the property owner will have their chance to plead their case and/or pay the fine.

If the inspector still finds blight on the property,

pictures of the violation will be uploaded to EnerGov, and the property owner will receive a Notice of Violation - Fine $1,000/day via mail.

Steps for Appeal Hearing or Fine Collection

Appeal hearings take place once a month, usually the 1st Tuesday of the month. They will be scheduled with the hearing officer at least 1 month in advance.

Hearings may be requested when:

  • A property is not in compliance and a fine is pending. 
  • Notice of hearings are sent at least 15 days prior, but no more than 30 days in advance. Notices are sent out via mail.

At the appeal hearing:

Specialists will provide Hearing officer with a prepared file as constituents arrive. A sign in sheet will be provided. The Hearing Officer will decide the case and the case will be updated with a record of the fine amount ordered and the amount paid once payment is received. All payments must be in the form of a cashiers check or money order. 

If the amount is paid in full at or on the day of the hearing,

a copy of the payment is given to the constituent and documents are uploaded on Energov and the case is closed.

If the amount is not paid at the hearing, the file will be held for an additional 10 days as “Pending Pay”.

If paid within those additional 10 days, a copy of the payment is given to the constituent and documents are uploaded on Energov and the case is closed.

If fine is not paid within those 10 days, and the Hearing Officer decided to lower the fine, the fine goes back to the original amount and liened on the property. The case will be closed on our end, and a Lien will be on the property.

If property owner does not show, hearing officer will still fill out a Determination Notice.

A copy of final fine will be mailed to the owner. The file will be held for 10 days;

if paid, a copy of the payment is given to the constituent and documents are uploaded on Energov and the case is closed.

If not paid in 10 days, the determination notice will be given to the Town Clerk’s office and a Lien will be put on the property. A copy of each lien will be mailed out to the property owner. The case will be closed on our end, and a Lien will be on the property.

*Once a lien is on the property you will not be able to sell or refinance your home without paying it first.