Code Enforcement Disappointment

[joho]

I am perturbed with the abandonment of the building sitting on the west end of 30A adjacent of Van Ness Butler Elementary. Tim Pauls had his real estate office Top Sail located there at one time before he sold it.

It's been slowly in the process of dilapidation over the last three years right before our eyes as we head towards Sandestin.

I called Walton County Code Enforcement to ask if they could contact the owners to clean up and mow the yard of the eye sore on our "Scenic Highway". Plus it's a potential fire hazard with pine straw covering the roof and porches. Also it is not secure I have seen the side door open as if intruders have been in and out.


I finally received a reply from CE several days later and the bottom line is they have no regulation to enforce such an act.

They mentioned they would write a letter to the property tax roll address in hopes the property owners might be enticed to do something but couldn't guarantee a response.

How about that one? :shock:

 

[Kurt]

Do we really want our government enforcing lawn mowing and roof cleaning?

Why not ask the owner to be a good neighbor?

 

[TheZohan]

I agree just be a good neigbor

 

[beachmouse]

When it's a wildfire hazard and the owners refuse to do anything about it, then yes, it becomes a code enforcement matter.

 

[heartbren]

I have a very similar problem where I live. I cannot be a good neighbor because no one knows who owns the place and it is not lived in. The only choice I would have is to call code enforcement since they can find out who the owner is and contact them. It is not always so simple; I wish it was. It sits on 30A and the grass is growing taller every day. I live by this house and keep my grass cut and this house is very unsitely especially sitting on scenic 30A.

 

[Kurt]

Tall grass and leaves on the roof a fire hazard? Not so sure.

If it's bank owned then they might be happy to get a call and be a good neighbor.

Tall grass is kind of nitpicky don't y'all think? I know some neighborhoods where you'll get fined if you don't cut your grass. Sounds like crazy talk to me. But I've also heard they make you cut your hay in Maryland.

 

[joho]

Tall grass and leaves on the roof a fire hazard? Not so sure.

If it's bank owned then they might be happy to get a call and be a good neighbor.

Tall grass is kind of nitpicky don't y'all think? I know some neighborhoods where you'll get fined if you don't cut your grass. Sounds like crazy talk to me. But I've also heard they make you cut your hay in Maryland.

1) Unsecured dilapidation of an abandoned building with pine straw on roof and porches.
2) Just one intruder with cigarette.
3) Dry conditions.
4) Adjacieant to elementary school and neighborhood.
5) Alarming!

 

[Rita]

1) Unsecured dilapidation of an abandoned building with pine straw on roof and porches.
2) Just one intruder with cigarette.
3) Dry conditions.
4) Adjacieant to elementary school and neighborhood.
5) Alarming!

.
I'm with you joho. It's usually obvious if a property has been abandoned. That's not the same as letting the grass get too tall for a neighbors tastes or having some pine needles on your roof or needing a paint job.

I think we all could tell the difference between that and dilapidation, abandonment, etc. In cases where this happens and owners can't easily be found, it's better to notify someone who has authority to check into the situation before something does happen - beyond just being an eyesore.

.

 

[idlewind]

If the tall grass bothers you steer your lawnmower over and cut it. Unless it is a hayfield I can't imagine anyone caring. And you get good neighbor points.
But I do not want the government telling citizens when to cut their lawn.

 

[heartbren]

The house by me is bank owned I believe so no one is taking care of it. I could not cut it if I wanted to it is so out of control. My physical limitations do not even allow me to cut my own grass; I pay someone to do it for me. This is on 30A and people notice it since they have mentioned it to me also. I cannot understand why people on here are so disagreeable. I keep my house looking nice and just expect the same of others at least cutting the grass or weeds as it is now. It needs to be cut irregardless of what anyone thinks and it needs to be done by the owner whether it be the bank or whoever,