Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Code Enforcement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ocoee reviews code-enforcement ‘Clean Sweep,’ staff recommends quarterly sweeps and stiffer fines
Summary
City staff summarized an August "Operation Clean Sweep," reporting 33 properties cited and recommending community outreach, quarterly sweeps, standardized fines and potential code changes to allow towing and other enforcement measures.
Ocoee city staff on Tuesday summarized the results of an August "Operation Clean Sweep" and urged steps to make enforcement more consistent and effective.
Chief Ogren told the commission the multi-department sweep inspected 45 properties, issued citations at 33 properties that produced 46 separate violations, and generated 12 parking citations, three fire-code violations and three stop-work orders. He said 20 properties have come into compliance and three cases were taken before the code board on Nov. 20.
"The objective of this operation was to identify and document violations of multiple municipal codes and ordinances to ensure compliance with planning, building, fire, and code enforcement," Chief Ogren said, listing common problems including trash accumulation, overgrown vegetation, unpermitted construction, vehicles parked on grass and operable vehicles stored in yards.
Staff recommended developing a community engagement plan, continuing interdepartmental coordination and considering quarterly sweeps to address hazardous conditions and improve public safety. The presentation also outlined the current fine structure cited in staff materials: statutory maximums of up to $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second offense and up to $5,000 for irreparable conditions.
Commissioners pressed staff on remedies for long-term violators and nuisance parking, including longstanding reports of motorhomes and commercial vehicles that remain in neighborhoods for extended periods. Staff said the typical enforcement sequence is notice of violation, a compliance deadline, and, if unresolved, referral to the code board, which can impose daily fines and other penalties.
"We can bring back a code change that would implement towing authority, subject to statutory review," a member of staff said during discussion about enforcement tools.
Staff also reported they did not find an off-the-shelf parking or violations platform that integrates with the city’s current software; they said a programmer is evaluating whether a custom reporting tool could be built on the SmartCop platform officers already use.
The commission directed staff to return with options — including proposed code language, an enforcement timeline and community outreach steps — for future consideration. No ordinance or fee change was adopted at the meeting; staff will return with formal proposals for commission action.
