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1. What does the City prohibit/what constitutes a Nuisance Violation?

The City prohibits the following on residential lots:

• Construction / demolition debris
• Inoperable / unregistered vehicles
• Overgrown weeds and grass
• Auto parts and scrap metal
• Appliances/furniture
• Standing water
• Junk, debris, trash, and litter

2. What are examples of Housing Violations?

All residential properties must be well-maintained, safe, and sanitary. Violations that may trigger a property maintenance action include:

• Peeling paint
• Deteriorated/damaged roofs
• Unsanitary facilities
• Electrical and lighting hazards
• Unsecured buildings
• Damaged doors or windows
• Absence of a heating system or damaged heating system
• Deteriorated/damaged fences and walls
• Substandard or inoperable plumbing

3. What do I do if there is a nuisance property in my neighborhood?

There are a number of options available to you:

• Contact the property owner or tenant. Describe your perception of the problem. Discuss how the problem affects you and possible solutions.
• Attend your Neighborhood Association meetings. Get involved with problem solving. If you do not know if you have a Neighborhood Association, call the Community Services Department at 864-596-2052.
• File a complaint. Call City Property Maintenance Inspections Division at 864-596-2915.

4. What happens when a violation is reported?

Our goal is to encourage both owners and tenants to voluntarily correct any violations. When a violation is reported, we open a complaint and work toward resolving the violation through a process of education, inspection, and notices. In most cases, the person responsible for a violation is given an opportunity to voluntarily comply with the law and correct the situation.

5. What happens if a violation is not corrected?

Each violation has a set of enforcement procedures and a time limit for compliance. If the violation is not corrected in the time allowed, the City has two enforcement options:

• Abatement: In a typical case, the City's Property Maintenance Team will hire a private contractor to either demolish or board and secure a structure, or to clean a property of junk and debris.
• Judicial Remedies: Failure to correct violations can result in fines of as much as $440 and/or jail time.