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Giving Tampa Codes Some Teeth

The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 21, 2008

Tampa City Council is scheduled today to hear a proposal that would put needed sting in the penalties for those who trash their neighborhoods.

Consider how the current system allows code violators to flout the system: A city official who spots a violation - a pile of trash, a crumbling structure, a disabled vehicle or an overgrown yard - delivers a notice and schedules a re-inspection in two weeks. If the violator fails the second inspection, a third visit is scheduled in three weeks. Only after a third failed inspection can the case be brought before the code enforcement board, which may impose a fine or set another deadline. Fines usually are not levied until after four failed inspections.

In the meantime, neighbors must endure the eyesore or safety hazard.

The city's time-consuming code-enforcement process is followed even on "irreversible violations" - such as emptying oil into a stormwater drain or cutting a protected tree.
City officials propose sensible changes. Those who commit serious "irreversible violations" would be immediately ticketed and fined, which makes sense since the harm has already been done. There is no need for follow-up inspections.

People with less-serious violations - overgrown grass, trash in the yard - would be given a chance to clean things up. But repeat offenders would be ticketed and fined. No longer would they get delay after delay.

Santiago Corrada, director of city neighborhood services, says inspectors would be trained to help residents avoid fines as long as they make a good-faith effort to address the problem. But the streamlined process would prevent people from abusing the system and save manpower in a time of tight resources.

Another important change: Tenants will be cited and fined if they make a mess of rental property. Previously only landowners faced penalties - even if they had nothing to do with the offense.

Citizens could contest the fines in county court, so they would be given their due process. But the changes would stop flagrant offenders from making a mockery of city codes and their neighborhood's welfare.

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