The code enforcement  process has many pitfalls from a best practices perspective. What they are and how they can be successfully resolved with automation solutions, read in our article Best Practices: Implementing a Proactive Code Enforcement Program. 

This time we decided to focus on the pain point challenges from the perspective of the Code Enforcement Officer. We picked ten  which seemed to us most acute. In this material, we encourage your feedback. How has your agency become  creative about solving common problems like the ones identified below?

First Pain Point of Code Enforcement Officer: Poor Record Keeping

Pain Point #2. Owners fear losing homes; therefore do not request inspection

Pain Point #3. Code Enforcement Officers get called to crowded buildings and are conflicted in decision-making because they want to make ethical choices.

Pain Point #4. There is no clear  policy about how to do things

Pain Point #5. Flawed Entry Protocols. Permission required before Code Enforcement Officers can fine an owner for violation halting parts of the process

Pain Point #6. Officers giving a citation when they know it will be taken care of. So people who are willing to comply are the ones who get citations. 

Pain Point #7. Absentee Landlords

Pain Point #8. Oftentimes, Code Enforcement Departments have more than they can handle with limited  resources , capacity, and tools.

Pain Point #9. Often when landlords go to court, the fine is written super low. For example,  $100 whereas fixing the violation would cost them $10,000. So it becomes a cost of doing business rather than incentive to not commit violations

Pain Point #10. Landlords who won’t take care of the problem and leaves the city is burdened with  taking care of the issue

It is important to outline the exact area and scope of the standard process. A municipality has to maintain compliance across many departments. 

Some of the pain points above are inherent to municipalities. For example, underfunding or lack of strong code enforcement support. Regardless of specializations addressing these issues demands from the Code Enforcement Officers must be made through, time and effort.

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Learn how Comcate can help make government delivery simple, and offer a modern digital experience to help you increase transparency, efficiency, and performance across your departments. If you have any questions about implementing our software, please fill out the form below, or call us directly at (415) 632-1248.

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