Many Walters residents may be surprised when they receive citations for code violations, especially the citations for the junk and trash accumulations on their property. Unless your property is in an area that is properly zoned as a junk-yard, expect to be receiving citations if you allow unused, uncared for, or inoperable items or equipment to accumulate.
In the past few months, the City of Walters has expedited the removal of nearly 90 junked, inoperable, or abandoned vehicles from the city. Most of these were removed by voluntary compliance or made legal by their owners. Other vehicles were moved to a suitable location, such as a garage, enclosed building, or stored behind a privacy fence. A few vehicles had to be taken through our Abatement process and were sent to be crushed.
There have been eight vehicles in the category of RV’s, Travel Trailers, Mobile Homes, and Motor homes that are included in the number above. Dilapidated or inoperable units must be disposed of properly and cannot be stored in our city’s residential areas. Campers that are operable and in usable condition must be properly parked at your residence or they may be impounded and/or fined. Allowable parking is beside or behind your residence and behind the building setbacks of your property. The only other location to park a Mobile or Motor Home, Travel Trailer, RV, or Camper is at a RV park or RV storage facility.
A zoning compliance issue that is increasingly brought to the attention of Code Enforcement centers around using carports for storage of miscellaneous materials and items. The Zoning Ordinance for the City of Walters states that carports are only permitted in residential areas provided that it cannot be used for storage for any materials other than a frequently used vehicle, the structure may not be enclosed at the time of construction or any later date (unless certain conditions are met), the carport must meet proper setback requirements, and the structure may not obstruct traffic visibility.
Allowing any trash, abandoned appliances, yard clippings, leaves, wood, grass, bedding, waste paper, cans, bottles, uncared for items or any other used or disposed of items to accumulate is prohibited. Any vehicle not displaying proper plates, is wrecked or missing parts, or is not being used, is also considered a public nuisance. This includes Boats, Trailers, Equipment, Campers, Travel Trailers, and other Motor Vehicles.
Ice boxes, refrigerators, freezers and other devices with an airtight seal, must have doors locked or removed when waiting for disposal. This is an extreme safety hazard and the fine for violating this code is up to $155.00 per day until corrected.
Limbs and tree trimmings will be picked up by the city workers if they will fit thru the chipper at no charge. City workers are not required to pick up items if a work order is not issued. Large limbs or other bulk items will be picked up by the city workers and billed to the resident if requested by residents. If you do not want the city to pick up your limbs, you must haul them off within a reasonable time or you will be fined. These fines go up to $255.00 per offense.
To arrange for limb or bulk pick up please call City Hall at 875-3337. If you have questions regarding public nuisances, ask for Code Enforcement. Our goal is to make Walters a safe, healthy, and beautiful place to live.