Code Enforcement
Patrick McSheehy, Code Administrator
The City of Hazelwood's Code Enforcement Division consists of Building and Construction, Ordinance Control and Occupany.
These forms are viewable with free Adobe Acrobat reader. Click here to download Adobe Acrobat Viewer if you do not have Acrobat on your PC.
Code Enforcement Division
The purpose of the Code Enforcement Division is to promote, protect and improve the safety, health and welfare of the citizens of Hazelwood through an effective proactive code compliance program. City Code Enforcement Officers are responsible for the enforcement of Hazelwood codes, ordinances and regulations. Code Enforcement regulations include, but are not limited to the Residential Occupancy Permit Program, Minimum Housing and Nuisance Violations and Building Codes and Ordinances.
In addition to the above regulations, the Code Enforcement Division provides these services plus much more to the community:
-
Investigates complaints in a timely manner and takes appropriate action.
-
Investigates immediately all health and safety issues brought to their attention.
-
Provides educational information concerning various Hazelwood codes and ordinances.
-
Assists citizens with compliance measures.
- Assists in the enforcement of ordinances and laws regulating the construction industry.
- Assists the public with all matters relating to code violations in a courteous and expeditious manner.
Residential Occupancy Permit Program
Since January 1, 2002, the City of Hazelwood Occupancy Permit program has been the City's ongoing attempt to improve the safety, quality and maintenance of existing residential living units and property. The occupancy inspection process is brought about by the change in the occupancy of any residential unit. Our nationally ICC certified Code Enforcement Officers perform inspections of both the interior and exterior part of a property prior to re-occupancy.
These compliancy inspections are based on the requirements of the 2003 International Property Maintenance Code, a globally recognized Code used throughout the United States. The main purpose of the Code is to protect the safety, health and welfare of the City's inhabitants by assuring existing properties are brought into compliance with safety and maintenance oriented requirements.
The City of Hazelwood's ultimate goal...safe and maintained places to Live, Work and Play. These occupancy inspections have helped maintain neighborhoods as well as the property values of existing homes in our community. They have also played a role in saving lives through the requirements for smoke detectors, carbon-monoxide detectors and ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCI).
Click here to view and download Hazelwood's Residential Inspection Application Form
Click here to view and download Hazelwood's Residential Occupancy Permit Form
Minimum Housing and Nuisance Violations
Although Code Enforcement is principally proactive, all citizen complaints are investigated and necessary action is taken. Whenever violations are found, a "courtesy infraction notice" or "housing infraction notice" is issued in an attempt to obtain voluntary compliance. Contact information is gathered on each notice and communication with the Code Enforcement Officer is highly recommended. In some cases, time extensions can be obtained if necessary. If there is no communication with the City and the violation continues, this may result in prosecution efforts pursued through the Municipal Court system.
Below is a list of items Code Enforcement is tasked with regulating and assuring Code Compliance:
Grass or weeds over 8 inches
No building permits
Trash and debris
Parking of vehicles
Unsafe structures
Derelict, Unlicensed Vehicles
Occupancy Permits - Residential
Occupancy Permits - Commercial
Land disturbance
Signs
Noise
Building Codes and Ordinances
Code Enforcement is also tasked with regulating building permits in the City of Hazelwood. Code Enforcement performs Building Code plan reviews, issues permits and performs inspections. Types of construction projects range from the St. Louis Mills shopping center to a residential fence permit. In addition to the City of Hazelwood Municipal Code, the City has adopted and enforces the following codes promulgated from the internationally recognized International Code Council (ICC).
Adopted and enforced are the following:
2003 International Building Code
2003 International Residential Code
2003 International Mechanical Code
2003 International Fire Code
2003 International Property Maintenance Code
2003 International Fuel Gas Code
2003 International Energy Conservation Code
The City of Hazelwood also contracts with St. Louis County for electrical, plumbing, elevator and amusement permits and applications.
Why do I need a building permit?
There are many reasons for obtaining building permits for construction. Taking out a permit provides you the City services of a code compliant review that will make sure the plans are complete, the plans comply with accepted engineering principles, as well as codes and ordinances adopted by the City. In addition, a building inspector will continuously perform inspections of most phases of construction to assure the construction is consistent with the approved plans and construction techniques. Also, the inspector makes sure all details and standards are being met.
Construction is a substantial financial investment, which can be seriously jeopardized by non-complying construction. Please be aware that construction work done without required permits is not only illegal, but could be substandard/unsafe. Many fire and homeowners' insurance companies may not recognize work performed without permits and coverage may be invalidated, creating problems with possible insurance claims. Since the City of Hazelwood does have an Occupancy Inspection and permit requirement, performing work without a building permit will create problems when you try to sell your property.
Click here to view and download Hazelwood's Building Permit Application Form
Click here to view and download Hazelwood's Excavation Permit Application Form
Click here to view and download Hazelwood's Demolition Permit Application Form
|
