What is Code Enforcement?
Code Enforcement is the prevention, detection, investigation and enforcement of violations of statutes or ordinances regulating public health, safety, and welfare, public works, business activities and consumer protection, building standards, land-use, or municipal affairs.”
What is a Code Enforcement Officer?
A Code Enforcement Officer is a sworn or non-sworn inspector, officer or investigator, employed by a city, or county, or city and county, who possesses specialized training in, and whose primary duties are the prevention, detection, investigation, and enforcement of violations of laws regulating public nuisance, public health, safety, and welfare, public works, business activities and consumer protection, building standards, land-use, or municipal affairs (http://www.caceo.us/?10).
Code enforcement, sometimes encompassing law enforcement, is the act of enforcing a set of rules, principles, or laws (especially written ones) and ensuring observance of a system of norms or customs. Police forces are charged with maintaining public order, crime prevention, and enforcing criminal law.
Did You Know???
City Permits Required for Residential Events
From the Code Enforcement Department
For Yard Sales and Markets – Permit is required:
According to Ordinance 42-395 (a): An approved permit for yard sales and markets is required at least five days prior to the yard sale; On any property used for residential purposes or not-for-profit purposes, the residents and property owners of the City of West Park may organize four yard sales or markets in a calendar year by the residents or owners of the plot to sell personal belongings or food to the public. Each yard sale or market may be for a maximum of three consecutive days.
Residents or property owners who violate this ordinance in failing to secure a yard sales and Markets permit in advance are subject to code enforcement violations and fines.
For Home Occupation (Home Business) – Permit is required:
A Business Tax Receipt (formerly known as Occupational License) is required for home business.
According to Ordinance Sec. 42-392, a Business Tax Receipt is required prior to home business operation; the residents and property owners of the City of West Park may operate a home based business in any residential zoning district. The use must be secondary to the use of the dwelling for residential purposes and shall not change the character of the dwelling unit thereof. In any instance where a dwelling unit is used to conduct a home occupation consistent herein, a home occupational license shall be required. This applies even where a regular business license has been issued for the same business and to the same applicant at another location within or outside the boundaries of the City.
According to Ordinance Sec. 42-201 – Selling Food or operating a restaurant at Home outside of the requirements for a yard sale and markets is prohibited in all residential zoning districts.
Residents and property owners who violate this ordinance in failing to secure a business tax receipt or proper permits in advance are subject to code enforcement violations and fines.
Outdoor Events – Permit is required:
Permit required for Outdoor Events, such as a Block Party.
According to Ordinance 42-393 (a), with an approved special or outdoor event permit at least 30 days prior to the event; the residents and property owners of the City of West Park may organize any event, meeting, activity, gathering, or group of persons, having a common purpose, design or goal, where the event substantially inhibits the usual flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic on the surrounding public property, including, but not limited to, streets, sidewalks, alleys and parks, or preempts used by the general public, attracting 50 or more persons. An event shall include, but not be limited to, festivals, carnivals, concerts, parades, walks, races, fundraising sales and similar gatherings, grand opening promotions, city co-sponsored events and other similar events not specifically permitted by city ordinance.
Events held on private property, having no impact on public property or the public as described in this subsection that include a tent or any other temporarily erected structure, shall require the proper building permit. Residents or property owners who violate this ordinance in failing to secure a permit in advance are subject to code enforcement violations and fines.
