FAQs • The house next door is abandoned and the grass is ove

The house next door is abandoned and the grass is over grown. Can anything be done to clean up the property?: Yes, the City of Valparaiso Code prohibits debris, junk, or dense weeds or grass in excess of six inches in height from the ground on any lot. If you know of such property please contact the Code Enforcement Department at 219.462.1161.

Code Enforcement

1. How can I obtain a copy of the property maintenance ordinance?: Please view Chapter 154 of the Valparaiso City Code to find the Property Maintenance Code. The city’s has adopted the 2006 International Property Maintenance Code by reference with some local amendments.

2. The house next door is abandoned and the grass is over grown. Can anything be done to clean up the property?: Yes, the City of Valparaiso Code prohibits debris, junk, or dense weeds or grass in excess of six inches in height from the ground on any lot. If you know of such property please contact the Code Enforcement Department at 219.462.1161.

3. Can my neighbor park his vehicle on the front lawn?: No. Motor vehicles shall not be parked on any front yard area not designated and approved for parking; for example, a paved driveway. The front yard is defined as the area of private property that is located between the public right-of-way and the front line of the primary structure on that property. In addition, parking on city sidewalks is prohibited.

4. I phoned in a complaint weeks ago. Why has nothing been done to the property?: In all cases, the responsible party must be provided notice of the violation. They must also be provided with a reasonable time period in which to correct the violation(s). Typically, the responsible party will be sent a Notice of Code Violation by mail.

Please rest assured that your complaint is important and is being handled in an appropriate manner with an attached sense of urgency.

5. I live in a subdivision with a homeowners association. Can the city enforce the association's covenants and restrictions?: No. If someone in the subdivision is violating a provision of the association's bylaws, only the property owner's association has authority to enforce those regulations. The only regulations that the Code Enforcement Department can enforce are those that are included in the city's Code of Ordinances.

6. Can I have garage, porch, or yard sales in the city? Is a permit required?: Yes, all are allowed providing that no sale signs are placed in public right-of-ways, on utility poles, or street sign poles. Signs must be placed on private property only. No sales shall exceed two days and no more than three sales are allowed per year. Signs must be removed at the end of the sale. No permit is required.

7. I live in an area where new construction is taking place. Is there a time when construction is allowed to begin?: Noise from construction sites is limited to the hours between 7 am and 7 pm.