Code enforcement may be initiated by any of the following methods:
(A) Citizen complaint. Any person may make a complaint to the city alleging one or more code violations.
(1) Form. A citizen’s complaint may be made on a city complaint form.
(2) Anonymous complaints. The city’s policy is to not accept anonymous code violation complaints. Nothing in this policy precludes the city from investigating any violation.
(3) Confidentiality. The city’s policy is to maintain the confidentiality of code enforcement complaint files and computer records, including the identity of the complainant, to the extent legally possible. The city believes it is important to maintain confidentiality to assure effective investigation and prosecution of code violations. In addition, the city recognizes that some complainants do not want their names disclosed to the alleged code violator for fear of retaliation. However, in some cases, it may be necessary for successful prosecution and enforcement for the complainant to be identified and to testify in court.
(a) Code enforcement files will be maintained as confidential files throughout investigation, infraction prosecution and/or other types of code enforcement.
(b) The contents of code enforcement files will not be disclosed to anyone other than city staff who have a reason to know and who are involved in the investigation, or to similar staff of an agency with which the city is cooperating. The contents of the file will not be disclosed to any other until: (1) the investigation is complete and a discovery request is made; or (2) the file is closed and disclosure is made pursuant to the Indiana Public Records Act.
(B) Observation. City staff may initiate enforcement any time a violation is observed.
(C) Permit/approval condition. City staff shall conduct timely monitoring of ongoing conditions of approval for all permits and approvals as staffing and time resources allow.
(D) General. Information from other sources may reveal code violations and may be investigated.
(Ord. 1690, passed 8-5-19)