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Code Enforcement

Email
Enforcement@stgeorgela.gov
Phone
225-228-3200
Hours
Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

What is Code Enforcement?

The goal of code enforcement is to maintain safe, healthy, and attractive communities by addressing issues like unsafe structures, overgrown lawns, abandoned properties, and violations of property maintenance codes and zoning regulations. 

The Code Enforcement Department for the City of St. George is responsible for upholding the ordinances of the city.

Office Hours are Monday – Friday from 8:00 am until 4:30 pm, however because much of the work conducted by this office is done in the field, please call before you arrive so that someone can be available to help you.

Common Issues 

Code enforcement officers most commonly deal with issues related to building permits, zoning, property maintenance (high grass, rubbish) and blight such as dilapidated properties and inoperable vehicles.   

Examples of Common Violations
  • Grass and weeds over 10 inches
  • Rubbish and debris
  • Storing or parking inoperable and/or dismantled vehicles
  • Parking on grass
  • Unsecured vacant and/or dilapidated houses
  • Unmaintained pools
  • Dilapidated fences
Code Enforcement Workflow

Code Enforcement Process for St George

  • The Code Enforcement Department for the City of St George has 5 Code Enforcement Officers that are assigned to each District of St George.
  • Two-tiered approach- Complaints are received from the community and proactive patrols are conducted throughout each District in the city to look for active Code Violations and problem areas. 
  • Violation complaints will be investigated on the same day that it is received or no later than one business day from the date the complaint is received.
  • If a violation is found, a violation notice will be mailed out via Certified Mail to the property owner within 24 hours after the inspection.
  • After the given timeframe for the violation to be corrected, the property will be reinspected. If the violation is abated, updated photos will be taken, and the file will be closed out. 
  • If the violation is still present, the city will next proceed with an administrative hearing process to abate the violations. * Dead trees, high grass and rubbish violations do not require an administrative hearing. If any of these violations are still present after the abatement period, the City will abate the violations at the property owner’s expense. 

Ways to File a Code Enforcement Complaint 

Code Enforcement complaints can be submitted in the following ways:

Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are common issues that would warrant a code violation?
    • Unpermitted construction (whether building from the ground up or remodeling)
    • Adding an accessory structure such as a small accessory building or a mother-in-law suite without a permit
    • Building a new fence or repairing over 25 linear feet of fence without a permit
    • Bringing in fill without a permit
    • Excavating or clearing land without a permit
    • Adding a culvert without a permit
    • Replacing a roof without a permit
    • Unpermitted signage
    • Installing a pool without a permit
    • Installing a pool that is not completely enclosed by a minimum of a 5ft fence with self closing, self latching gates (this fence must be permitted).
    • Inoperable or abandoned vehicles stored on a property
    • Dilapidated buildings and unmaintained properties
    • The accumulation of rubbish or garbage at a property
    • High grass and weeds over ten inches
    • Dead or diseased trees that pose a hazard to life or safety and could potentially fall on a sidewalk, public property or the private property of another.
    • Keeping or letting a disorderly place
    • Operating a business without an occupational license
    • Illicited discharges including dumping illicit substances into the drainage infrastructure and waterways of the City, blocking the flow of drainage and improper erosion control at construction sites.
    • Operating a short-term rental without a short-term rental permit and occupational license.
    • Illegal parking 
    • Posting signs, cards, placards or advertisements on any pole, post, object on the streets or across any public street, alley, sidewalk, or other public way within the City. 
    • Operating an illegal group home
  • What happens when a code violation is reported?

    When a complaint is received, the code enforcement officer conducts an inspection to determine if there is a violation to the city ordinance. If violations are found, the property owner is notified via certified mail and given a specified timeframe to abate the violation.

  • Can I find out who reported a violation against me?

    All Code Enforcement complainants are anonymous and are not required to disclose their identity.

  • What if I disagree with a code enforcement decision?

    You may have the right to appeal the decision, depending on the specific regulations of your area.

  • What is the process for addressing a code violation?

    The typical process involves a notice of violation, a timeframe for correction, and a reinspection to determine if the code violation has been abated.

  • What happens if I don’t correct a code violation?

    If the violation isn’t corrected within the allotted time, the City has the right to institute proceedings to restrain, correct or abate the violations and to impose a fine of up to $25 per violation for each day any violation continues to exist. The cost of any action taken by the City of St. George to institute proceedings or to correct or abate the violations shall be charged against the immovable property on which the violation occurred.