Housing cases are initiated in three basic ways:
- Complaints from citizens
- Referrals from other City departments
- Inspector observation
If the inspection reveals that the structure is in violation of the code, the inspector initiates a case in an effort to resolve all noted violations.
The first step in the enforcement process is to issue a Notice of Improvements, which describes each violation. The usual compliance timeframe for a first notice is 60 days. A much shorter timeframe may be given if a life-safety or other serious problem exists.
If reasonable efforts have been made to make repairs by the end of this initial compliance period, the inspector may allow an extension of up to 60 days for completion of repairs. If at the end of this period work has continued to progress steadily and required repairs are nearing completion, the inspector may give short extensions until the work is completed.
If no work, or very minimal work is accomplished by the end of the initial compliance period, the inspector will issue a Notice of Violation, which lists the violations and gives no more than 30 days to achieve code compliance.
The Notice of Violation is the order to make the repairs. If no work or only minimal work is accomplished by the end of this compliance period, the inspector will issue a Uniform Criminal Complaint (UCC) requiring an appearance in Environmental (Neighborhood) Court.
Neighborhood Court is held Monday through Thursday, at 6:00 PM at each of the four Police Substations.
Once a UCC has been served, the case becomes a matter for the Court to resolve.
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