COLUMBUS, Ohio – The city is cracking down on property owners who refuse to clean up the homes and businesses they own.
Mayor Michael Coleman and City Attorney Richard Pfeiffer have proposed legislation that would increase penalties for code violations.
“Those whose disregard has led to blight in our neighborhoods must be held accountable. If they are unmotivated to take care of their properties by their consciences, perhaps they will be motivated by the prospect of jail time,” Coleman said.
As part of his offensive against blight, Coleman wants the penalties for code violations increased from a third degree misdemeanor to a first degree misdemeanor, calling for fines of up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail for residential property owners Fines and penalties for businesses would increase to a maximum of $5,000.
In his 2014 operating budget, Coleman has proposed spending nearly $600,000 for eight new code enforcement officers. Working as two teams of four, they will constitute a new unit that will take more aggressive approach to the city’s most blighted areas.