Code violation
A local government finding that a property breaks housing, building, zoning or maintenance rules, with a deadline for the owner to fix it.
Definition
A code violation is a city or county finding that a property breaks local housing, building, zoning or property maintenance rules, such as a damaged roof, an overgrown yard, junk vehicles, unsafe wiring or an unpermitted addition. An inspector issues a notice of violation that lists the problems and gives the owner a deadline to fix them.
If the owner does not comply, the case can move to fines, a hearing or court. Columbus, Ohio, for example, says civil enforcement can result in daily fines and even loss of the property through foreclosure. Cities may also make the repair or cleanup themselves and bill the owner, often through a lien. Many cities publish code enforcement cases on an open data portal or let you search by address. Open violations, and especially repeat violations on one property, often mark an owner who cannot afford repairs, lives far away or has given up on the house.
Source: columbus.gov
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