Effective code enforcement enhances the quality of life for residents by:
- Protecting the health and safety of the public
- Preserves property values in the city
- Encourages pride in our community
- Encourages private and public investment in a neighborhood making Wooster a desirable location for residents and businesses to flourish.
The Building Standards Division works collaboratively with Planning and Zoning, Fire Prevention, the Public Properties and Maintenance Division, and the Wooster Police Division to ensure continued high standards for the City and businesses located here.
Compliance Program
The Property Code Compliance Program consists of:
- Complaint Investigations and
- Systematic periodic inspections in the RT zoning district. This zoning district surrounds the downtown with mostly older pre-1935 housing. We inspect these houses every two years.
Complaint-driven inspections result in a violation 80% of the time, while RT zoning district inspections result in a violation about 20% of the time. However, they are effective in covering large areas and identifying violations that may go unreported. Each type of inspection has advantages and limitations.
2020 Activity
The Division performed 1,265 Property Maintenance and Zoning Code inspections. These inspections resulted in 662 code violations.
Of the 662 violations:
89% were closed because the owner resolved the issue/s or the City abated the violation or the case was prosecuted in court.
The City hires contractors to abate the issue/s. Then, we bill the owner for the work (grass mowing/hauling, etc) and if unpaid, we certify the costs to the auditor for a special assessment.
11% of the time, the violations are open and pending resolution.
In 2020, seven houses were demolished. This has been the average for the last 10 years.
How We Work
Inspectors investigate every complaint that is received or observed. After verifying a violation, the inspector will attempt to make contact with the owner and send them a letter notifying them of the code violation. Generally, we deal with owners and not tenants as it is the owner's responsibility to manage their property.
Inspectors explain the City’s code requirements and the reasons behind them. This educational component helps strengthen partnerships and reduces the number of cases that need to be resolved by legal action. We will work with owners to resolve violation/s. If they are not resolved within the prescribed time, the case is referred for prosecution. The majority of violations are resolved within a few days, but some situations may take months. Most of the time, a reasonable timeframe can be agreed to, as long as a plan is in place. The City’s goal is voluntary compliance, not prosecution and penalties.
With some minor issues such as high grass or garbage or debris on the property, we may use our contractor to mow or haul away the garbage and then we will invoice the property owner for the cost of the work.
