Code Enforcement

Planning and Development Department

706-367-5011

The city has zoning, building, property maintenance, sign, historic preservation, nuisances, environmental protection. and many other ordinances to enforce.  Code enforcement responsibilities have been transferred from the Jefferson Police Department to the Planning and Development, which is now responsible for enforcing the city's ordinances and regulations.  To inquire about code requirements or to lodge a complaint about property or conditions in the City of Jefferson, contact the department 706-367-5011.

Our Mission

Our goal is to first educate citizens, businesses and property owners on code requirements and to seek voluntary compliance before formal notices of violations and citations are issued.  Also, we will work to find remedies where available.

Typical Procedure

Procedures may differ depending on the exact code violated.  The typical procedure we follow is to issue notices of violations in writing to the property owner and the business or occupant (if different from the property owner) and provide an "abatement period" (usually 30 days) to remedy the violation.  After sending a notice of violation, if the code violation still exists at the end of the abatement period, the department will issue a citation and summons to appear in the City of Jefferson Municipal Court to answer the city's complaint.  In some cases, before initiating notices of code violations, the department may give the property owner, business, or resident a verbal warning or summary sheet that spells out the violation with a request to remedy the code infraction and how to do so.  If the matter proceeds to municipal court, it is up to the judge to decide the civil penalty or fines.  Each code violation constitutes a separate offense, and each day a violation is allowed to continue can also be a separate offense.

Frequent Violations of City Codes

Listed below are just a few of the more frequent violations encountered in Jefferson:

• Failing to display the street/property address of a building.  To be visible to public safety personnel, the address numbers need to be four (4) inches high with a minimum stroke width of 1/2 inch.
• Erecting or installing signs or advertising devices that are not permitted or which were installed without securing the required permit.  Signage placed in a public right of way are subject to be removed by city personnel without notice.
• Allowing grass or other vegetation to reach a height of more than 16 inches; such areas can become harboring grounds for pests and rodents.
• Allowing the accumulation of rubbish, garbage, or other debris.  Unsightly accumulation of junk or other material can have an adverse on neighbors and the community at large.
• Not maintaining buildings and exterior property areas.

Link to Codes 

The city code can be viewed in full at municode.com.  For the land use management code, click on this link.  For the property maintenance code, see below.

We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to assisting you with code compliance.  Please contact the Department of Planning and Development at 706-367-5011 for more information.