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Council adopts ordinance revising code-enforcement hearings and uninhabitable-structure process
Summary
Council adopted Ordinance 21-2026 on second reading to change complaint hearings and appeal procedures for code enforcement, clarifying that 'uninhabitable' findings are appealable to the council and differentiating them from 'unsafe' structures.
On July 1 Peton Township Council adopted Ordinance 21-2026, an amendment to Chapter 92 that revises the township's code-enforcement procedures for complaint hearings and the handling of uninhabitable structures.
Officials and residents discussed the distinction between "uninhabitable" and "unsafe" conditions; staff and the township engineer gave examples (for instance, houses with 100 cats or severe structural failures) that would qualify as uninhabitable and described the appeal process. Speakers emphasized that the ordinance does not authorize warrantless entry into private homes and that affected residents retain appeal rights to the council.
Tom Boyd, who described himself as the planning/inspection official and "resident expert," said the prior wording created a conflict where the enforcement official could also assign penalties, a situation the revision removes. Council members asked staff to prepare guidance or an educational session so future councils better understand enforcement standards and boundaries.
The ordinance passed on second reading after public comment and roll-call votes.
