Code Enforcement Campaign still underway

The city-wide code enforcement campaign by the City of Marlin is still up and running, but the process has delays. Originally launched on March 16, the program has an emphasis on the “property maintenance” side of things. Residents have been asked to clean and clear properties of high grass, debris, and junk vehicles.

According to Jennifer Downes Bridges, code enforcement officer for the City of Marlin, about 40 letters were sent out to property owners before the coronavirus pandemic hit the United States. 

The City has changed the response expectation timeline from 10 days to 30 days in light of the situation, as well as cutting back on tickets for violations during this time. 

“There are no tickets being given out right now,” Bridges told reporters.

The Code Enforcement Officer is continuing to go out into the community to make note of properties that are in violation in preparation for resuming efforts in full blast once the health safety crisis passes.

“It’s about keeping them, their families, and our communities safe,” she explained.

City of Marlin website says that the processing time of a case can vary depending upon the nature of a number of variables, but the general outline of case progression is as follows:

• an inspection is performed to verify that a violation exists on the property.
• The property owner is then notified that a violation(s) exists and is given a reasonable period of time in which to correct the violation. (currently 30 days)
• A follow-up inspection is performed to verify that the violation(s) has been corrected.
• If compliance cannot be achieved through normal channels, the case may be forwarded to Municipal Court as a citation or the property may be cleaned up and a lien filed against the property.

City of Marlin regulations require that all properties be kept in good repair. Grass and weeds should be trimmed regularly. Growth in excess of twelve inches is prohibited. Trash and debris may not be stored on properties at any time.

For more information on guidelines for property owners, the case pursual process, or anything else relating to code enforcement, head to marlintx.net and click on “Code Enforcement” under the departments drop down.