Post by @ocillacode on Mar 17, 2015 at 9:30am

I have had a councilman come to me with a complaint and I am not sure how to handle it? We have someone living in a house with no water, possibly no electricity. They are using the bathroom in a 5 gallon bucket and dumping it across the street in a field?  I told the councilman I thought this was a Health Department issue, as I am very limited on what I am allowed to do? Has anybody else dealt with issues like this or similar? What can I do as Code Enforcement Officer?

Any suggestions or advice is greatly appreciated.

 

Post by jpitman on Mar 19, 2015 at 8:07am

If your jurisdiction has adopted the IPMC (International Property Maintenance Code) then you as a code officer can require water service and operable plumbing. This includes a functioning sewage or septic system. I would urge your councilmen to adopt the IPMC if they have not already. It is a great tool and very effective while being quite comprehensive so far as problems with a property. If you have any further questions about it you can call me, I would be glad to discuss...Jerry Pitman 706-312-7204

 

Post by @ocillacode on Mar 19, 2015 at 1:18pm

Thank you for the information. I don't think we have adopted the IPMC. I will get with my council and give you a call if I have any more questions.

 

Post by Tim Prater on Mar 30, 2015 at 9:31am

Under our nuisance abatement ordinance we will issue a notice of violation with a 10 day compliance deadline to obtain water service if the deadline is not met we will condemn the house due to unsanitary conditions.

 

Post by @ocillacode on Mar 30, 2015 at 11:46am

We just adopted new ordinances for most of our Code Enforcement violations. I need to check again and see if there is anything in there regarding this. Thank You.