Code Compliance

The Code Enforcement Division is the enforcement arm for the City of Parkersburg, which includes: the building codes, sections of the health and safety code, zoning codes, and nuisance codes. It is our goal to obtain voluntary compliance from property and business owners.  In the cases where we are unable to obtain voluntary compliance, Code Enforcement Officers have the authority to issue civil citations. The Code Enforcement Division’s first priority are issues that involve the health and/or safety of our community.  We are also concerned with property maintenance issues to ensure the quality of life in our community and maintain property values.

Complaints – Substandard Housing

The 2018 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) has been adopted by the City Of Parkersburg and is used for this type of violation.

Interior Violations

When the City receives a complaint about an interior property maintenance violation a notice is sent to the owner via certified mail. The owner has fifteen (15) days from the receipt of the letter to contact the Code Department with a plan of action. The owner is given a reasonable amount of time to make the required repairs based on the amount and types of repairs necessary in order to achieve compliance. If the required repairs are not completed, charges can be filed.

Exterior Violations

An initial inspection is accomplished by the inspector due to a complaint, or proactively. If a violation exists, the owner is notified by violation letter via certified mail. The owner has fifteen (15) days to respond with a plan of action and is given a specific amount of time based on the type of violation in order to make the required repairs, which is usually 30-90 days. If the required repairs are not completed, charges are filed.