Code Enforcement CLICK HERE TO SEE SPRING CLEANING FLYER
The following policies are for the enforcement of its laws and regulations, as contained in the City Code of Ordinances. These policies are provided to guide staff of the Sylvester Code Enforcement Department in the identification and abatement of code violations, and to educate the public about the City’s code enforcement procedures.
The City respects the desire of all residents and business owners to enjoy their property. The City also believes that responsible use of private property includes respect for community values, as contained in the City Code of Ordinances. In order to assure that these values are upheld, the City Code of Ordinances will be enforced according to the following principles.
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The City will enforce its ordinances based on the violation, not the violator. The focus of our code enforcement is on the nuisance activity or structure, without regard to the source of the complaint or the nature or character of the violator.
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The City will maintain the confidentiality of the source of any complaint. The City will enforce confirmed violations based on the idea that they are violations against the City, not against a neighbor or other individual parties.
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The City will accept anonymous reports of violations when the violation can be observed from the public right-of-way. Reports concerning violations inside a building or not visible from the public right-of-way will require a written complaint with the reporting party’s name and phone number included.
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The City seeks compliance first and foremost. Enforcement efforts are directed at providing opportunities for solving problems and eliminating violations, not punishing people.
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When sufficient opportunity for eliminating the nuisance has been provided, but no significant results obtained, the City will aggressively pursue relief in the courts, including civil and criminal remedies.
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The City is aware that age or infirmity may hamper the violator’s ability to effect corrections according to a rigid schedule. A flexible approach to obtaining compliance will be considered when these conditions are present.
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Health & safety violations are given the highest priority so that human life and property are protected without delay. Violations of ‘general welfare’ rules will be addressed at a second level of attention, allowing reasonable solutions to be implemented in reasonable time. The following table is a guide.
Resources
For a quick look at the guidelines for exterior signage in Sylvester please read.
For information about stormwater causes and consequences please read.
For Litter Survey data results please read.
Phone: (229) 776-5717
Type of Enforcement * |
Priority |
Time frame |
Notice |
Notice |
Final |
Ordinance descriptions |
High-Mod |
days |
1st, |
2nd |
3rd |
Unsafe Unsanitary Structures Grading violation, egregious Sewer spills Unauthorized discharge into storm drain Vector control (mosquitoes, rats) Declared emergencies Trash/Debris on property creating life safety issues
|
High Mod. High High Mod. High High |
75days 5days 3days 3days 30days 1-3days 30days |
30days Warning Warning Warning 15days Warning 15days |
30 days Citation Citation Citation Citation Citation 15days |
15days
Citation
|
Illegal use of structure Zoning Issues Soil & Erosion Yard Trimmings/non-collectible Abandoned vehicle/private prop. Abandoned vehicle/right of way Container Violations Trash/Debris on property not creating life safety issues |
High Mod. Mod. Mod. Mod. High Mod. Mod. |
1day/court 45days 45days 15days 75days 3days 3-5days 15-30days |
Warning 30days Stop w/o 5days 30days Warning Warning 15days |
Citation 15day Citation 5days 30days Citation/tow Citation 15days |
Citation
Citation Citation
Citation |