Neighborhood Code Corner

April 2013

By Pamela Burns, Neighborhood Code

What does the City of Fort Wayne’s Neighborhood Code Enforcement Department do?

Simply put, Neighborhood Code exists to protect the City, its residents and property values.

Chapter 152.01 of City ordinance provides the Title and Purpose of Neighborhood Code.  The provisions of this chapter are cited as the “Minimum Housing and Maintenance Standards.” This chapter articulates the commitment of the City of Fort Wayne IN, “to protect, preserve and promote the physical and mental health and social wellbeing of the people, to prevent and control the incidence of communicable diseases, to reduce environmental hazards to health and safety and to regulate privately and publicly owned dwellings for the purpose of maintaining adequate sanitation and public health.”

The established legislation provides for the administration and enforcement of minimum property standards and maintenance for the following:

1.       Basic equipment and facilities with respect to mechanicals, light, ventilation and thermal conditions;

2.       Safety from fire and accidents;

3.       The use, location and amount of space for human occupancy;

4.       The determination of the responsibilities of owners, operators and occupants of residential buildings, and mixed-use buildings to maintain their buildings and properties.

This means that Neighborhood Code is charged with inspecting properties and determining if anything about the properties is hazardous, dangerous or unsightly. If anything unsafe is noted, it is then the department’s job to issue citations and follow up with property owners to ensure that local residences and commercial properties are safe and attractive – this helps everyone by maintaining and strengthening  property values.

To help you keep Code Enforcement away – Do a little preservation every day!