Editorial staff
In a perfect world, where everything works as it should, communities operate flawlessly, with cleanliness and safety defining the streets. But this isn't a perfect world, which is why we have codes and enforcement officers to ensure that these rules and regulations are followed to the letter.
If you are interested in becoming a code enforcement officer, you definitely want to know everything concerning this career to make the right choice. This article will help a lot in that direction, so keep reading.
Basics First: What's Code Enforcement?
Communities operate under a collection of laws, regulations, and ordinances designed to guarantee the health, safety, and general welfare of the public. Code enforcement is the act of ensuring that these guiding rules or principles are followed and that they are working as they should. Proper code enforcement makes it possible to improve the overall quality of life, maintain property values, and ensure that both residents and visitors enjoy a safe environment.
You certainly want to invest in high-quality code enforcement officer education from a top provider like RocketCert to boost your chances of succeeding in this field. Additionally, try to gain as much hands-on experience as possible by getting into an apprenticeship or internship program. With enough experience, you will naturally become more confident at work.
Common Code Violations
It may not sound like you need to know this to decide whether or not you want to become a code enforcement officer, but trust us, you want to know what you're dealing with. So here's a list of the most common issues and violations you'll handle.
1. Property Maintenance Issues
It's not uncommon for some property owners to neglect their upkeep responsibilities. At first, this doesn't seem to be a great deal until you realise that property maintenance issues can easily affect a neighbourhood's overall appearance and safety.
But that's not even the main problem. When left unchecked, property maintenance issues spread like wildfire. You had just one owner who had an overgrown lawn, broken windows, unremoved trash, or a dilapidated building, but the next time you check, almost everyone seems to be following this path.
When you nip poor property maintenance in the bud, however, it's easier to keep it in control.
2. Building Code Violations
Communities also need building codes to create the standards that must be met during the construction and maintenance of buildings, so they are safe and habitable. Some of the top violations you should expect in this regard include property owners deciding to construct structures that aren't permitted in a neighbourhood, failure to adhere to electrical or plumbing codes when building or remodelling, not complying with accessibility standards, and disregarding fire safety measures.
Substandard construction not only ruins the comfort of others in the community but can also pose dangers to residents and visitors.
3. Zoning Violations
The idea of partitioning local regions into zones is vital as it brings orderliness to a society where everyone has varying preferences. Still, that doesn't mean there won't be one or two people who will violate the set regulations. Code enforcement officers ensure that such cases are acted upon to deter others in society from making the same mistakes.
Some of the most common violations to expect in this category include unallowable building modifications, operation of businesses in residential neighbourhoods, exceeded building heights, and more. Enforcing zoning laws is vital in maintaining the intended character of a community's business parks and other surroundings.
4. Health and Safety Violations
It's also common for code enforcement officers to encounter violations related to health and safety. If you ask us, these are some of the worst violations, since they typically have serious short and long-term effects on the community.
Good examples of these violations are improper disposal of hazardous materials, unsanitary commercial food preparations, unsafe electrical and plumbing installations, and more. As a code enforcement officer, you want to keep residents safe and the environment as clean as possible through strict health and safety enforcement.
Success Starts With a Proper Education
It's common for communities and municipalities to have a myriad of codes that keep everything in order. However, knowing and following these codes on your own can be a complex process. That's why there are certification courses from approved providers like RocketCert.
With these, you will acquire the knowledge required for success with greater ease. So, head over to rocketcert.com today to begin your code enforcement journey.
Editorial staff
