October has been designated as National Code Enforcement Month. This designation is intended to enlighten the public as to the community standards and regulations regarding public nuisances. Public Nuisances affect the safety and appearance of our community. Violations of the City’s Code of Ordinances and Zoning Ordinances can lead to fines and liens against property. These infractions may decrease the property values of the area surrounding the offending properties and may cause health issues.
In order to help you learn more about these issues, we have put together a list of the most common Code Violations from the past year and an explanation of the Code or Ordinance that they relate to.
1. JUNK, TRASH, DEBRIS: §93.035 It is unlawful for any person to allow any trash, refuse, garbage, rubbish, ashes, street cleanings, abandoned appliances, paper wrappings, cigarette butts, cardboard, yard clippings, leaves, wood, grass, bedding, waste paper, tin cans, bottles, or any other discarded, unusable or uncared for objects or substances to accumulate, litter, or otherwise lie on or about any public or private property within the city. Fines start at $255.00. Each day constitutes a separate offense.
2. INOPERABLE, JUNKED, ABANDONED VEHICLES: §93.055 City Code states that inoperable vehicles may not be kept in the city limits of Walters. Inoperable vehicle refers to any vehicle that is in an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, scrapped, junked, or partially dismantled condition which includes having uninflated tires, missing wheels, or lacking other parts necessary for the normal, safe operation of the vehicle. This includes any vehicle that, due to mechanical defects, has a wrecked or partially wrecked frame, any dismantled parts, and cannot be operated in a normal and safe manner. Fines can be up to $180.00. Each day constitutes a separate offense.
3. TRASH, TALL GRASS, WEEDS, EXCESSIVE VEGETATION: §93.025 City Code states that grass in excess of 12 inches or excess weed and vegetation overgrowth is not allowed on any property within the City of Walters unless such property is zoned and USED for agricultural purposes. Property owners and/or tenants are responsible for mowing and trimming property from the street to the center of the alley. This includes easements, around utility poles & connections, fire hydrants, signs, etc. Fines start at $205.00 and increase with subsequent offense. Each day constitutes a separate offense.
4. STORAGE OF CAMPERS, RV’S, MOTORHOMES, TRAVEL TRAILERS: §151.25 This type of trailer or vehicle may be stored beside or behind your residence as long as it meets the residential setback requirements for your area. Travel Trailers, RV’s, etc., cannot be parked in front of your home for more than 48 hours for preparation of a trip or outing. When stored, these trailers/vehicles may NOT be attached to utilities unless a special use permit is issued. Utility connections will be approved in designated RV parks. No unattended parking on the street for any length of time. Fines can be up to $500.00 per violation with each day constituting a separate offense.
5. FENCE VIOLATIONS: Ordinance 567, Article II, Section 1-8, R-1, Special Requirements, 2: City Ordinance states that fences may not exceed a height of four feet in the "required" front yard, or six feet on the side and rear yard. It must be constructed of materials that are consistent with the neighborhood and of commonly-used materials (no scrap metal, pallets, plywood, netting, fiberglass or other offensive material). Barbed wire, hog wire, chicken wire, electric, single strand fences or other material which may inflict pain or injury are not allowed in residential zones. Fines can be up to $500.00 per violation with each day constituting a separate offense.
6. IMPROPER OUTSIDE/OPEN STORAGE: §93.040: It is unlawful for any person owning, occupying, in possession of or in any manner having charge of, a building, house or structure of any kind, or any vacant lot or parcel of ground within the limits of the city, or within 3,000 feet thereof, to place or permit to be kept therein or thereon, any motor vehicle not in running order, or any parts of same, or any other material whatsoever which is in fact what is commonly known as junk or trash, unless the same is completely enclosed or screened by a privacy type fence or barrier at least 4' to 6' tall, so as to hide the view of same from the general public using the streets, highways or alleys within the city. Fines can reach $255.00 per occurrence. Each day counts as a separate offense.
7. ZONING VIOLATIONS & IMPROPER USES IN ZONES: This category covers a multitude of City Codes and Ordinances including the requirements for Building Permits, Building Code Violations (including swimming pool barrier violations), dilapidated mobile or manufactured homes, improper structures or building & land uses, set-back requirements, and off-street parking requirements. Zoning regulations include land usage and areas of special use. Fines can be up to $500.00 per violation with each day constituting a separate offense.
8. ABANDONED ICE BOXES, REFRIGERATORS, AND FREEZERS: §93.039 It is unlawful for any person to leave in a place accessible to children any abandoned, unattended or discarded ice box, refrigerator or other container which has an airtight door with a lock or other fastening device which cannot be easily released for opening from the inside of the ice box, refrigerator or container, without first removing the door, lock or fastener. Fines start at $155.00. Each day constitutes a separate offense.
9. DISPLAY OF ADDRESS: §95.08 Residential and business structures located in the city shall have the street address numbers displayed in a manner so that the numbers are clearly visible from the street. The numbers must be a minimum of three inches and a maximum of six inches in height, shall be a maximum one and onehalf inches in width, and must be located on or near the structure. Fines for failure to display the street address number of a structure is a violation punishable in accordance with §10.99. Fines can be up to $500.00 per violation with each day constituting a separate offense.
10. CERTAIN ANIMALS WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS; HEALTH AND NOISE NUISANCE: §90.05 It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to keep, board, possess or have within the city any cattle, horses, goats, sheep, mules, donkeys, swine, hogs, poultry, fowl or animals or birds of any kind except: (A) In or on the fairgrounds; (B) Where specifically permitted in the city’s zoning ordinance, including any future revisions and amendments to the same; (C) No more than three dogs or three cats (or any combination of the three); (D) Household pets kept within the house, including small caged birds, aquatic, amphibian or reptilian pets, other than poisonous animals; (E) Not more than six rabbits; and (F) Not more than six chickens, solely for household use and under the conditions prescribed in the city code for health nuisance. Fines range from $130.00 to $180.00 and increase with subsequent violation. Each day constitutes a separate offense.
Each of the Codes and Ordinances listed above are common for any city and are backed by state statutes. There is not a grace period or warning period for any of the listed infractions and fines can be started the first day that the violation is confirmed by the investigating official.
Public Nuisance violations injure our community as a whole. Code Enforcement works to remedy these violations and work toward making our community safer and a more desirable place to raise our families. If you have any questions or concerns regarding a Public Nuisance in your neighborhood, please contact Code Enforcement at City Hall, 580-875-3337.