Civil Matters

Civil vs. Code Enforcement Issues

Some issues within neighborhoods or between tenants and property owners may not fall under Code Enforcement jurisdiction. Understanding the difference between a civil matter and a code violation can help you determine the best way to resolve your concern.

Civil Matters (Handled Between Individuals)

When a situation involves a disagreement between a landlord and tenant or between neighbors, it is considered a civil matter.
In these cases, the best approach is to:

  • Communicate respectfully and calmly when explaining your concern.

  • Avoid threats or aggressive behavior.

  • Review your lease or rental contract carefully.

  • Seek legal advice before withholding rent or taking any other legal action.

Examples of civil matters include:

  • Fence or wall installation along a property line

  • Ongoing neighbor disputes after prior investigations found no code violations

  • Idling vehicles or food odor complaints

  • Damage caused by a neighbor’s property or actions

A positive, respectful, and solution-focused conversation is often the best first step.

Common Code Enforcement Violations

The following are examples of issues that Code Enforcement does investigate:

  • Unpermitted construction

  • Junk, trash, or debris visible from the public right-of-way

  • Poor pool maintenance

  • Overgrown, dead, or neglected vegetation

  • Inoperable or abandoned vehicles on private property

  • Zoning or land-use violations

  • Substandard housing conditions

Common Maintenance Concerns (Handled by Property Owners)

These are typically not city code violations but rather owner responsibilities:

  • Leaking plumbing fixtures

  • Dirty floors or carpeting

  • Minor visible mold (kitchen or bathroom)

  • Clogged plumbing or drains

  • Garage doors not operating properly

  • Air conditioning unit noise

Common Questions

Q: The wall or fence needs to be repaired, but the property line is unclear.
The City does not determine property lines. You must hire a licensed land surveyor to establish boundary lines.

Q: My neighbor and I can’t agree on repairing or replacing a fence/wall. What now?
If both parties cannot agree on costs or responsibilities—even after attempting to mediate—this becomes a civil matter. The City does not intervene in these disputes, and the issue may need to be resolved in small claims court.

Q: My neighbor’s trees or hedges hang over the fence onto my property.
You may trim any branches or foliage that extend over your property line, as long as doing so does not harm or kill the tree.
If the neighbor refuses to trim their tree and it is not a protected species, you may seek legal guidance to proceed appropriately.