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Housing Codes
Housing Code Compliance
City and state laws govern how individuals construct and maintain their properties. Zoning codes determine allowable uses, building codes establish construction standards, and housing codes establish minimum levels of upkeep. All of these are based on a government's right to protect the safety and welfare of its citizens, specifically from dangerous buildings, crime, congestion, and loss of property values. Of these, enforcement of the housing codes is the most controversial & problematic.
In late 1998 the Lake Claire Neighbors adopted Neighborhood Housing Code Guideline to spell out how neighbors can obtain LCN help in resolving housing code disputes. These Guidelines were again revised in October 2001.
The Guidelines authorize the appointment of a Neighborhood Deputy by the Executive Committee and also outlines the circumstances for LCN involvement in housing code disputes. The Neighborhood Deputy must be someone trained by the City through their Neighborhood Deputy Program.
The purpose of the Housing Code Guidelines is to establish criteria and procedures for LCN intervention. Housing code complaints must first be initiated and pursued by a neighbor. If the neighborhood resident is not able to obtain compliance by using the City's process then they may ask for the Neighborhood Deputy's help. Any neighbor may ask for neighborhood support at a neighborhood meeting by explaining the situation and asking for a resolution. This is obtained by making and passing a motion to the effect that the "the residents of the Lake Claire Neighborhood support the enforcement of the housing codes at such and such address."
Questions & Answers
What are Housing Codes?
Lake Claire lies entirely within the City of Atlanta and so all City ordinances apply including housing code and zoning ordinances. The housing codes ordinances set minimal upkeep standards for residential and business properties including but not limited to roof, soffit, fascia, siding, structural footings, trash, debris, junk cars, etc. The Housing Code Ordinance of 1987 is online for your perusal.
What is the position of Lake Claire Neighbors on Housing Codes?
Lake Claire Neighbors is a Georgia non-profit corporation and so must uphold all applicable laws. Members has repeatedly voted to enforce egregious code violations that raise safety issues or contribute to the decline of neighborhood morale. Generally, members are individually responsible for pursuing housing code problems but may ask the Executive Committee for help if the City is unresponsive or drops the ball. Check out the City of Atlanta Housing Code Website. The members of Lake Claire Neighbors have approved guidelines for handling requests from members for assistance in housing code matters. Please read the Neighborhood Housing Code Guidelines for more info.
What about Housing Code and Zoning Problems with Rental Properties ?
The Neighborhood Housing Code Guidelines treat commercial rental properties differently from owner-occupied properties in that the Executive Committee can act more immediately and directly to remedy housing code and zoning non-compliance problems. Please see paragraph 13 of the Guidelines for more info.
Can you show me an example of an "egregious" housing code non-compliance problem?
Please see page on the Gordon Avenue Housing Code problem. The resolution of this problem is ongoing. The membership voted 29-0 to required the Executive Committee to obtain compliance on this property.
What is the difference between a housing code problem and a zoning problem?
Housing Codes are aimed at protecting neighborhoods against decline as well as preventing crime. A zoning problem occurs when a property is used for a purpose it is not zoned for such as running a commercial business out of a house zoned residential only. A common type of zoning non-compliance in Lake Claire involves the conversion of larger older homes into multiple apartments in excess of that allowed by law.
