Q: What does the City prohibit/what constitutes a Nuisance Violation?
A: The City prohibits the following on residential lots:
- Construction/demolition debris
- Inoperable/unregistered vehicles
- Overgrown weeds and grass
- Auto parts and scrap metal
- Appliances/furniture
- Standing water
- Junk, debris, trash and litter
Q: What are examples of Housing Violations?
A: All residential properties must be well-maintained, safe and sanitary. Violations that may trigger a property maintenance action include:
- Peeling paint
- Deteriorated/damaged roofs
- Unsanitary facilities
- Electrical and lighting hazards
- Unsecured buildings
- Damaged doors or windows
- Absence of a heating system or damaged heating system
- Deteriorated/damaged fences and walls
- Substandard or inoperable plumbing
Q: What do I do if there is a nuisance property in my neighborhood?
A: There are a number of options available to you:
- Contact with the property owner or tenant. Describe your perception of the problem. Discuss how the problem affects you and possible solutions.
- Attend your Neighborhood Association meetings. Get involved with problem solving. If you do not know if you have a Neighborhood Association, call the Community Services Department at 864-596-2052.
- File a complaint. Call City Property Maintenance Inspections Division at 864-596-2915.
Q: What happens when a violation is reported?
A: Our goal is to encourage both owners and tenants to voluntarily correct any violations. When a violation is reported, we open a complaint and work toward resolving the violation through a process of education, inspection, and notices. In most cases, the person responsible for a violation is given an opportunity to voluntarily comply with the law and correct the situation.
Q: What happens if a violation is not corrected?
A: Each violation has a set of enforcement procedures and time limit for compliance. If the violation is not corrected in the time allowed, the City has two enforcement options:
- Abatement: In a typical case, the City's Property Maintenance Team will hire a private contractor to either demolish or board and secure a structure, or to clean a property of junk and debris.
- Judicial Remedies: Failure to correct violations can result in fines of as much as $440 and/or jail time.
