FAQs • Xenia, OH • CivicEngage

What happens when there is a violation? Are there fines or court charges?: The City believes that the best way to resolve a violation is through voluntary compliance, not by immediately sending a violation letter. A Code Enforcement Officer will generally first attempt to meet with or call the owner of a property with a violation and work with them to develop a plan and timetable for compliance. If the owner is financially disadvantaged, the Code Enforcement Officer will attempt to connect the owner with volunteer groups or grant programs if they are available (although grants are typically in short supply). If the owner refuses to comply, the Code Enforcement Officer will send a Notice of Violation. Exceptions to this process occur with tall grass and trash violations, which occur in such great numbers and must be addressed so quickly that City staff may not have time to call or visit a property owner. In these cases a notice will be mailed to the property owner. If the owner refuses to comply with the Notice of Violation, then one of two things will happen: If the City has the resources to bring the property into compliance (examples are tall grass and trash), the City will do so and invoice the costs to the property owner, along with an administrative fee of $150. If the City does not have the resources to abate the violation, the City will file charges against the owner through Xenia Municipal Court.

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Code Enforcement

1. What is the Property Maintenance Code?: Adopted in 2014, this code is a collection of minimum standards that ensure maintenance of private property in a clean, safe and sanitary condition, so as not to cause a blighting influence or health/safety hazard for a property’s occupants or the surrounding neighborhood. Examples of Property Maintenance Code standards include:
Buildings: Exterior painting/siding, structural integrity, presence of basic utilities, sanitary interior surfaces, light/ventilation, plumbing/electrical equipment
Sites: Tall grass/weeds, garbage accumulation, grading/drainage, inoperable vehicles, parking in the grass.
The City of Xenia currently utilizes an amended version of the 2012 International Property Maintenance Code published by the International Code Council. The code is located in Title 6 of Part 14 of the Xenia Codified Ordinances.
Click here to access it!

2. Why does the City enforce a Property Maintenance Code?: Maintenance of private property is critical in making Xenia a great place to live, work and play; and keeping homes and businesses clean, safe and sanitary. Property maintenance is uneven in some parts of Xenia, partially due to disinvestment and vacancy. Xenians placed a high priority on property maintenance during the 2011-13 X-Plan process.

3. How does the City enforce the Property Maintenance Code?: The City is both proactive and responsive in its efforts to enforce the Property Maintenance Code. Proactive enforcement occurs through the Community Checkup program, which is a proactive neighborhood-by-neighborhood assessment process. The Checkup helps the City to be more fair, consistent and effective in its enforcement efforts. In addition to the Community Checkup, the City’s Code Enforcement Officers promptly respond to citizen complaints.

4. What happens when there is a violation? Are there fines or court charges?: The City believes that the best way to resolve a violation is through voluntary compliance, not by immediately sending a violation letter. A Code Enforcement Officer will generally first attempt to meet with or call the owner of a property with a violation and work with them to develop a plan and timetable for compliance. If the owner is financially disadvantaged, the Code Enforcement Officer will attempt to connect the owner with volunteer groups or grant programs if they are available (although grants are typically in short supply). If the owner refuses to comply, the Code Enforcement Officer will send a Notice of Violation. Exceptions to this process occur with tall grass and trash violations, which occur in such great numbers and must be addressed so quickly that City staff may not have time to call or visit a property owner. In these cases a notice will be mailed to the property owner. If the owner refuses to comply with the Notice of Violation, then one of two things will happen: If the City has the resources to bring the property into compliance (examples are tall grass and trash), the City will do so and invoice the costs to the property owner, along with an administrative fee of $150. If the City does not have the resources to abate the violation, the City will file charges against the owner through Xenia Municipal Court.

5. What is the Community Checkup (proactive enforcement)?: The Community Checkup is an effort by the City to promote investment and maintenance in our neighborhoods and business districts through proactive code enforcement. It involves comprehensive, exterior assessments of neighborhoods and business districts by Code Enforcement Officers. It also involves education of property owners/occupants on maintenance needs and available resources, as well as collaboration with owners to improve maintenance.

6. How/when does Community Checkup occur?: The Community Checkup involves exterior inspections of neighborhoods/business districts by Code Enforcement Officers during the fall/winter months (October - February). The Checkup does not require the presence of property owners or occupants, although they are welcome to participate. If violations are found, Code Enforcement Officers will first work with each owner to voluntarily address the problem. If this process fails, a formal notice of violation will be issued.