Demopolis City Council clears the way for city to compel owners to keep up their properties

The way is now clear for the city of Demopolis to hold property owners accountable for keeping up their property.

At their Aug. 20 meeting, the Demopolis City Council approved a resolution and procedures designed to compel property owners to keep their buildings up to code.

The city council has considered how to spruce up the city, especially downtown, since spring. When H&M Construction announced a multimillion-dollar renovation of a downtown building for their corporate offices in March, company officials asked the city to hold neighboring property owners accountable for maintaining their buildings.

The city followed through by sending a letter to property owners in April putting them on notice to bring their properties up to code.

But the city council realized that they needed to tighten up their procedures, specifically those concerning who would inspect structures, how owners would be notified of violations and how owners could appeal a violation notice.

A six-page document titled Property Maintenance Code Enforcement Procedure approved by the city council Aug. 20 sets out the process.

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First, the city appointed a committee consisting of the city building official (building inspector), a code enforcement officer with the Demopolis Police Department and the fire inspector to “administer and enforce” the International Property Maintenance Code or city ordinances.

Notices of violation will be sent via certified mail to the property owner of record, or it will be personally served. Violation notices will also be posted on the property.

Property owners who fail to comply with a notice of violation may be referred to municipal court. The municipal court may impose fines and penalties authorized by law, or it may reduce or forgive some or all of the fines and penalties, according to the document.

A property owner may appeal a notice of violation by filing a written notice of appeal with the city clerk within 14 days. The appeal will be heard by an administrative hearing officer appointed by the mayor. The owner can appeal that decision to the Marengo County circuit court.

The procedures also list the violations and fines, ranging from $10 a day to $50 a day depending on the violation.