Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Code Compliance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Queen Creek reports rising code‑compliance caseload; town hires staff and tightens procedures
Summary
The town’s code compliance manager told the Planning and Zoning Commission that notices of violation, citations and hearings have risen since 2022; the division is hiring additional officers, contracting hearing officers and updating procedures to address repeat offenders and unpaid fines.
Victor Martinez, code compliance manager for the Town of Queen Creek, presented an activity update to the Planning and Zoning Commission on June 3 describing a growing caseload and proposed procedural changes to improve enforcement and collection.
Martinez said the division’s enforcement workload has climbed sharply: 14 notices of violation in 2022; 182 notices and 64 citations in 2023; 250 notices and 84 citations in 2024; and 144 notices with 41 citations and 24 court hearings so far in 2025 (mid‑year). "The trend looks like it's gonna keep going up," Martinez said, citing town growth and increased resident reporting.
To respond, Martinez said the town is implementing an expedited repeat‑offender process that allows the division to move more quickly to citation for chronic violators, contracting two hearing officers to handle more hearings, updating court procedures for consistency, and crafting a process to address unpaid fines and liens against property. He said the division is also recruiting staff and that an additional full‑time code enforcement officer will start the week following the meeting; another hire was planned for contract renewal.
Martinez emphasized the division’s education‑first approach: staff generally begin with outreach and voluntary compliance and provide time to remedy violations before escalating to citations and hearings. "Voluntary compliance is our main goal," he said. Martinez also said the department conducts proactive sign enforcement and weekend operations to reduce illegal signage.
Commissioners asked whether the code compliance division had engaged with the D & D Mini Ranch complaint; Martinez said his team had responded before his tenure began and that code compliance typically begins by educating property owners and referring them to planning for permit options when appropriate.
Why it matters: Rising enforcement activity can affect neighborhood livability, municipal court workload and the town’s administrative resources. The changes described—hiring staff, contracting hearing officers and refining processes—are intended to ensure timely enforcement and improve fine collection.
Next steps: Martinez said the division will continue hiring to reach planned staffing levels, implement the expedited repeat‑offender and unpaid‑fine processes, and coordinate with planning and the town attorney to ensure consistent procedures for hearings and citations.
Provenance: See transcript excerpts below for Martinez’s presentation and subsequent exchange with commissioners.
