The Code Enforcement Officer plays a vital role in ensuring the community complies with the local codes and ordinances put forth by the city. This person inspects properties to verify they meet the required standards of safety and sanitation. Regular inspections help maintain the quality of the city and the community. The officer communicates with property owners regarding compliance and may issue citations if deemed necessary. The officer also gives helpful suggestions and guidance on how to meet the required standards.

The job also involves investigating complaints coming in from community residents. These may include noise issues, property maintenance concerns, or unsafe conditions. The officer documents all findings and prepares detailed reports for records.

Code Enforcement Process

If you believe you have identified the location of a potential code violation, you are not required to confirm that a violation exists or gather proof; a reasonable concern that the condition may not meet local codes is sufficient. The Code Enforcement Officer will review the report and determine whether a violation is present.

To submit a property for review of the Code Enforcement Officer, send an email to code@hartfordky.org and include helpful information such as the address of the potential violation and short description of the concern. Pictures are optional and should only be provided if safe and not trespassing.

The violations are generally straightforward, and if fixed within the allotted time, the issue is resolved. Typically, for standard violations, property owners are granted a 7-day window from receipt of the notice letter to correct the violation. If the issue is not addressed, then a fine and/or lien may be issued.

Any person receiving a citation has the right to appeal and request a hearing before the Code Enforcement Board. Requests for a hearing must be submitted in writing and received within the timeframe provided in the citation notice.

The Code Enforcement Board consists of three board members, two alternate members, and the Code Enforcement Officer. The Code Enforcement Officer is not a voting member. Alternate members serve only in the event of a regular board member’s absence during a meeting or hearing.

There is no requirement to share a resolution or updates with the complainant.

Frequently Cited Code

One of the most frequently reported property maintenance violations within the city involves overgrown vegetation and nuisance conditions on private property. If a property meets the below criteria, please contact the Code Enforcement Officer.

92.03 CERTAIN CONDITIONS DECLARED A NUISANCE

It shall be unlawful for the owner, occupant, or person having control or management of any land within the city to permit a public nuisance to develop thereon. The following conditions are declared to be public nuisances:

(A) Dangerous trees or stacks adjoining street.

Any tree, stack, or other object standing in such a condition that it will, if the condition is allowed to continue, endanger the life, limb, or property of, or cause hurt, damage, or injury to persons or property upon the public streets or public ways adjacent thereto, by the falling thereof or of parts thereof.

(B) Accumulation of rubbish.

An accumulation on any premises of filth, refuse, trash, garbage, or other waste material which endangers the public health, welfare, or safety, or materially interferes with the peaceful enjoyment by owners or occupants of adjacent property because of the danger that it will catch or communicate fire, attract and propagate vermin, rodents, or insects, or blow rubbish into any street, sidewalk, or property of another.

(C) Storage of explosives or hazardous material.

The storage of explosive and/or hazardous material which creates a safety hazard to other property or persons in the vicinity.

(D) Weeds and grass.

It shall be unlawful to permit on any portion of a lot or parcel of land the accumulation of weeds, grass or underbrush in excess of eight inches in height.