Councilmember Michael Johnson's
Arizona Informant Column
Feb. 16, 2005

Ever hear of the Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance?

Ask anyone what makes up the heart and soul of a city and most, if not all, will tell you the same thing: neighborhoods.

And Phoenix is no exception.

The city’s Neighborhood Services Department works diligently each day with residents and neighborhood groups alike to improve and preserve neighborhoods.

However, Phoenix alone cannot keep neighborhoods clean and well-maintained. It must be and is a team effort.

Here’s where NSD can help. The department offers a variety of services and programs that assist residents, and code compliance is one critical component to making neighborhoods the best they can be.

The department handles violations and questions related to the Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance, Zoning Ordinance, Mobile and Street Vending regulations and portions of other codes and ordinances.

This is accomplished through a combination of education, resource referral/coordination and enforcement.

The Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance (NPO) was established to prevent and address deterioration, blight and/or hazardous conditions that can negatively impact neighborhoods.

In addition, it provides minimum property maintenance standards for all structures and properties in the city.

The code enforcement process is generally initiated by a call to the Neighborhood Preservation Customer Service line from a concerned resident about a possible violation.

A case is opened and a letter is sent out informing the property owner about the possible violation and that an inspector will be out within the next 10 days to see if the violation exists. The letter also indicates that if a violation is found, further notification will be provided about the violation, necessary actions and a time line for complying.

At the time of initial inspection, the inspector will check the property of the reported violation(s) as well as any of the eight common blight violations on the reported property and properties in the immediate area. If violations are found, the responsible party will be provided detailed information about the violations and the necessary actions for compliance.

Financial and other resources may be available for property owners who cannot afford to correct violations.

I’m happy to report that the majority of code enforcement cases are resolved by the property owner/responsible party following formal notification of the violations.

Occasionally, however, it’s necessary to issue civil citations, criminal charges or contractual abatement until the violations have been resolved.

The department on average annually opens approximately 37,000 cases with more than 86 percent closed in compliance before a civil citation (the initiation of a court action) is ever necessary.

To ask questions about the NPO, the city’s enforcement policy or report a violation, contact the Neighborhood Preservation Customer Service Line at 602-262-7844 or e-mail blight@phoenix.gov.

Michael Johnson is a Phoenix City Councilmember who represents District 8. His office can be reached at 602-262-7493 or at michael.johnson@phoenix.gov via e-mail.