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Troy zoning inspector outlines property-maintenance rules and how residents can report violations
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Summary
City of Troy zoning inspector Taylor Brunner and staffer Lauren Karch summarize the city’s adoption of the 2024 International Property Maintenance Code, common violations (peeling paint, roof defects, overgrown grass), how to report problems, and enforcement steps including repair orders and potential court filing.
Taylor Brunner, the City of Troy zoning inspector, said the city has adopted the International Property Maintenance Code, 2024 edition, and that its requirements apply to every structure in the city, interior and exterior alike. “It covers all, no matter if you're a primary structure, accessory structure, or the exterior interior of a property,” Brunner said.
Brunner and Lauren Karch, a city staff member, walked listeners through common violations the department sees and where residents can find help. “Peeling paint is probably 90% of the time a write-up,” Brunner said, recommending scraping and repainting or installing protective siding. He also cited roof deterioration, algae growth, missing gutters, large exterior holes and missing windows as frequent problems that invite rodent or bird harborage.
Karch described online resources intended for homeowners who do not want to read the full code. “If you don't wanna read an entire code book…we have a checklist that makes it pretty easy,” she said, directing residents to troyohio.gov/planning for the property-maintenance checklist.
How to report: Karch and Brunner advised residents first to try neighborly contact for minor issues and then use the city's reporting options. City staff listed a phone line for complaints at (937) 335-1725 and the report-a-problem widget on troyohio.gov. For yard waste and brush, they said Troy residents may use the city’s Dimel Road compost facility (the episode also refers once to “Don Mill Road”); the facility accepts most yard waste and brush but will not accept concrete or food waste.
Spring and curbside guidance: Karch cautioned that grass over 10 inches is a code violation and listed other common spring issues—junk and debris, immobile vehicles on private property and deteriorating fences. Brunner reminded listeners that the city expects continual progress on repairs and that spring cleanups are a one-time service; thereafter trash and recycling must be placed in receptacles, and brush should be cut to 4-foot lengths and 4-inch diameter and tied for curbside collection.
Enforcement process and penalties: Brunner described the department’s typical sequence: friendly notice and outreach, working with property owners on a repair plan, and, if necessary, issuing work orders or orders to repair. As a last resort, he said, the city may pursue court filing; the episode references a potential third-degree misdemeanor as the statutory penalty for the most severe compliance failures.
Why it matters: The guidance consolidates where residents can find city resources and clarifies roles—police enforce vehicles in the public right of way, while zoning enforces private-property maintenance. Brunner closed by urging residents to contact the department with questions and previewed a forthcoming episode on code enforcement.
