Code Enforcement
Committed to Serving the Public
The City of Columbus Code Enforcement is committed to ensuring a safe living, working, and recreational environment for the residents of Columbus. They work by creating partnerships with the public to ensure the enforcement of zoning, nuisance, and environmental regulations. The broad purpose of Code Enforcement is to protect public health, safety, and welfare. Ultimately, Code Enforcement tries to make properties safer through protection against both criminal elements and personal safety, as well as safer through public health and sanitation procedures, which affect everyone.
Code Enforcement Officer
Officer Gary Holt
Email Code Enforcement
Police Department
300 E Maple St
Columbus, KS 66725
Phone: (620) 429-1332
Emergency: 911
Business Hours
Mon–Fri: 8 AM–5 PM
About
Code Enforcement is a part of the Columbus Police Department. It regulates and enforces the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) as adopted by the City of Columbus concerning housing, unsafe structures, sanitation, inoperable/unlicensed vehicles, weeds, and graffiti on private property. Property owners are ultimately responsible for the care and maintenance of their properties, regardless of whether they are the actual occupant(s). Property owners may contact the Code Enforcement Officer with specific questions.
Complaints about a property can be reported here or in person at the Columbus City Hall or Police Department. A Code Official will visit the site within 48 hours to determine if a violation exists per the IPMC. If a violation exists, the property owner will be notified by mail, phone, or in-person as deemed appropriate by the Code Official for the circumstances. Legal requirements of notification are required to property owners on all violations. Reasonable expectations of time frames for resolving a violation will vary from the time of the complaint due to legal notification requirements, City ordinances, and State statute.
Possible best-case scenario timelines if there is not voluntary compliance on the part of the owner are:
- Inoperable vehicles – 21 days
- Sanitation – 21 days
- Housing – 4-6 months
- Unsafe structures – 6-12 months
- Weeds – 14 days
Inoperable Vehicles
Standards of measurement for inoperable vehicles include missing windshields, flat tires, no tires, up on jacks, unlicensed/untagged, missing engine/motor, or wrecked. Any vehicle on a property must be operable, tagged, and parked legally. Problem vehicles or abandoned vehicles on public streets are a police issue, and callers should contact the police department at (620) 429-1332.
Sanitation
Sanitation violations can include such things as garbage, rubbish, inoperative and unlicensed vehicles, unsecured vacant buildings, brush piles, and other conditions that degrade neighborhood appearances and cause harborage for rats, mice and snakes. Items that are considered sanitation items include tires, upholstered furniture and carpeting, mattresses, box springs, cardboard boxes, scrap lumber and scrap metal, vehicle parts, appliances, stagnant water (untreated pools) and any item not intended to be outside or not weatherproof. A letter will be sent notifying the recipient of the observed violation and other information.
Housing
The IPMC provisions apply to all existing residential and nonresidential structures and constitute the minimum requirements and standards for those premises. There are standards set for premises, structures, equipment, lighting, ventilation, space, heating, sanitation, and protection from the elements. Other issues include life and fire safety, and provisions are set forth as to the responsibility of owners, operators, and occupants.
Unsafe Structures Code
The Unsafe Structures Code addresses structures that are unfit for human habitation or use and are unsafe due to dilapidation or other conditions that are injurious to the welfare of Columbus residents.
Weeds
Code Enforcement conducts the weed and uncultivated vegetation abatement program. They will send a notice to property owners if weeds, grass, or uncultivated vegetation grow higher than 12 inches. Property owners will then have a total of 13 days from the date of the notice to cut the vegetation. If the property owner does not cut the vegetation within the allotted time frame, they will receive a penalty bill. If a property is in violation more than once during the calendar year, the owner may continue to receive penalty bills. But, Code Enforcement will only send one violation notice to a property per calendar year. Property owners are responsible for grass/weeds/vegetation in abutting easements, ditches, alleys, and right-of-ways.
Code Enforcement Officer
Officer Gary Holt
Email Code Enforcement
Police Department
300 E Maple St
Columbus, KS 66725
Phone: (620) 429-1332
Emergency: 911
Business Hours
Mon–Fri: 8 AM–5 PM