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Morgan County introduces new building inspections and code‑enforcement team; officials emphasize education first
Summary
New county inspectors described a largely education‑first approach to code enforcement, and listed common violations including abandoned vehicles, outdoor storage of appliances and tires, nonpermitted structures, short‑term rental complaints and unsafe excavations. Staff said they will prefer communication and education before formal enforcement.
Chris Tremea, Morgan County building official, and Dustin Little, building inspector and construction manager, introduced themselves and outlined daily building‑inspection and code‑enforcement work across the county.
The new team said their approach emphasizes early communication and education: inspectors typically visit properties, explain requirements, and work with owners to obtain permits and safe temporary fixes before starting enforcement. Tremea described the team’s focus areas as building inspections, code compliance investigations, nuisance properties, abandoned vehicles, unpermitted temporary structures and trailers occupied outside authorized RV or trailer sites.
Common issues and responses: Inspectors said they have encountered occupied and abandoned RVs, unsecured appliances and mattresses stored outdoors, unpermitted excavations on slopes, outdoor tire storage and commercial equipment on residential lots. Staff said they have helped property owners obtain permits, secure weather protection for partially completed buildings, arrange dumpsters for tire collection through a partnership with GeoCycle/Liberty Tire, and worked with Public Works to resolve hazards such as dumpsters in rights‑of‑way.
Temporary housing and agricultural exemptions: Officials discussed limits on living permanently in non‑designated RV sites and clarified that ag‑exempt buildings are allowed in certain circumstances but not for human habitation or full‑time commercial storage without appropriate permits. Commissioners asked staff to prepare a code text amendment to clarify agricultural exemptions for practices such as silage pits and to protect bona fide agricultural operations while preventing long‑term outdoor storage that creates fire and health hazards.
Enforcement metrics and next steps: Tremea listed open code cases at the meeting (e.g., abandoned vehicles, nuisance properties, living in trailers, short‑term rental complaints, building permit violations) and said most are handled by referral or complaint; staff said they check surrounding properties to ensure uniform enforcement. The team is coordinating with the clerk’s, assessor’s and public‑works offices and plans outreach on graffiti removal and a planned free public tire‑drop event. Commissioners asked staff to draft code clarifications for ag exemptions, temporary uses and penalty language so the county has clearer standards for consistent application.
Ending: Commissioners praised the outreach‑first approach and asked staff to return with proposed text amendments and an implementation timeline. Staff said training and certification for inspectors is ongoing and that short‑term rental and permit compliance will remain priorities.
