The Village of Wadsworth's own Code Enforcement Officers will respond to received property complaints regarding perceived violations of the Village's codes and ordinances. The officers will spend time in the field to ensure that local properties are properly maintained, that building projects have the proper permitting, and also to follow up with any previous complaints or compliance actions.
Note that the goal of this endeavor is to achieve compliance, not to produce revenue. Although it is probable that such a program will not pay for itself, it is the goal of the Village that a successful code enforcement program will produce a higher quality of life for all of our residents, as the upkeep of our properties goes hand in hand with the significant investment that we all made by choosing to call Wadsworth our home.
As to the actual process, when a complaint is lodged with our Village, the matter will be referred to our code enforcement officers. They will then investigate the complaint to verify if any of our codes or ordinances are not being met. In all cases, efforts will be made to discuss the matter with the property owner or occupant first. Should the property owner not be at home or present, a door hanger will be left at the site that will ask the owner/occupant to call the code enforcement staff. In many instances, problems and concerns can be addressed simply by having a discussion on the telephone or onsite between the property owner/occupant and the code enforcement officer. Should corrective actions not get addressed or are otherwise ignored by the property owner, due process to the property owner will be given via letters and possible code violation citations. In rare instances, relief may be sought at the Circuit Court level to ensure compliance with any directives imposed or in cases where there is willful non-compliance.
Most of the complaints received by Village staff pertain to nuisance conditions. (See Title 4, and Section 8-1 of the Village Code.)
Specifically, please note the following:
- Properties must be kept free of rubbish, trash, and junk, as well as other abandoned materials;
- Grass on any developed lot cannot exceed 8 inches in height, and grass on empty lots cannot exceed 18 inches in height (except for woody stemmed plants);
- Noxious weeds must be pulled, cut, or sprayed with an approved weed killer;
- While the burning of weeds and landscape waste is permitted, subject to the provisions of Section 4-5 of the Village Code, no off-site materials, including building materials, trash, etc., may be burned;
- Noise and vibrations generated from animals, electronic, and non-electronic sources must not be heard from adjacent and nearby properties;
- Properties must be kept free of all sources or substances that generate obnoxious odors (other than the burning of leaves and landscape waste);
- Any building that is deemed to be dangerous, unsecured, or abandoned (during construction) must be removed, secured, or repaired;
- All exterior property areas and the exterior of all structures must be maintained in good repair; and
- All buildings and properties must have address markers or identifiers that are plainly legible and visible from the street fronting the property.
If you have any questions about any of the above statements, or regarding the Village’s codes and ordinances, or its code enforcement program, please do not hesitate to contact the Village Hall at 847.336.7771. You may also send an email to info@villageofwadsworth.org.
