Code Enforcement
Code Enforcement is a part of the Building Services, which enforces regulations within the City of Anacortes Municipal Code, generally through a complaint generated system. AMC Title 20 provides general city policies regarding the enforcement of the municipal code, and the procedures for the investigation of civil violations.
How Does a Complaint Get Processed?
Once a complaint has been made it is logged with a case number and your request will be investigated as soon as possible by the code enforcement officer and prioritized by seriousness of the complaint. Life-Safety issues take priority over regular nuisance complaints. All complaints are investigated to see if a violation of State, County or City Ordinances are violated.
If an ordinance or regulation is being violated, the Code Enforcement Officer will send a Courtesy letter or a Correction Notice to the owner of the property and/or the tenant. The letter requests that the violation(s) be corrected within a certain amount of time (depending on seriousness).
If the violation(s) were not corrected within the designated time frame, the Code Enforcement Officer would then send a Notice of Violation, via certified mail, indicating the violation(s) are to be corrected within a certain amount of time, along with outlines of the penalties for the violation.
In addition, the city may get an Abatement Order requiring the violation to be corrected and a substandard lien may be placed on the property.
What is the Code Inspector's Role?
The Code Enforcement Inspector investigates complaints, educates citizens, and resolves issues to achieve code compliance. If a violation occurs, the inspector will try to resolve it first through education, voluntary compliance and/or negotiation. If this proves unproductive, formal civil enforcement proceedings may begin.