Code Enforcement Process

Code violations are identified by citizen complaints or through the direct observations of code enforcement officers. The City of Beaufort adopted the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) and utilizes its model code regulations.

Upon receipt, or observation, of a code violation a code enforcement officer will conduct an inspection to determine if a violation exists. If a violation is noted, the following process takes place:

Notice of violation

An official will provide notice of the violation in writing, generally accomplished through an orange hangtag left on the property, by letter, or both to property owners/tenants. We will attempt to alert property owners who live elsewhere of violations on their property so they are informed as to issues taking place.

• Notice is provided to educate and inform property owners/tenants about the violation as it pertains to the City of Beaufort Code of Ordinances and the IPMC. The notice contains a summary of the violation and corrective action that needs to be taken.
• Notice also includes a statement regarding a property owner’s right to appeal if they feel a violation does not exist.

Compliance

Conditions that are easily remedied are usually given 5 to 10 days for compliance. Those that are more complicated are provided reasonable timeframes to become compliant.

• If you have any questions about a violation, you are encouraged to contact the code enforcement official to discuss the matter so they can help you better understand it, and how to resolve it. We encourage contact and we are willing to work with property owners/tenants to develop reasonable timelines to correct issues for more complex issues. As we are often in the field, it's better to call before arriving at the office to ensure someone is there to speak with you.
• The ideal outcome is resolution of the violation within the prescribed timeframe. Our office prefers to work collaboratively with property owners/tenants to achieve positive outcomes.
• When the violation is corrected, the process ends.

Enforcement

It is always our goal to gain compliance; punishment is never the goal. If violations are ignored or not corrected within the time frames noted, then the enforcement process begins.

• Code Enforcement will issue a “2nd Violation Notice," requesting the violation be resolved without delay.
• Failure to comply at this juncture can result in a citation to appear in Municipal Court.
• If after having been cited to court you can resolve the issue prior to the appearance date, the code enforcement official can elect to void the citation, but they are not required to do so.

Prosecution

If you have not corrected the violation after receiving the second notice, you will be served a citation to appear in court. On your appearance date you will appear before a judge where you will be granted a trial. You will have the right to present your case as to why you failed to resolve the issue, or why you feel no violation was present.

• Upon hearing from you and the city prosecutor, the judge will make a determination of guilty or not guilty. If you are found guilty of the violation, the judge can order you to correct it, and also fine you for failing to do so in the first place.