Frequently Asked Questions

What types of violations does this office deal with?

The Code Compliance section responds to violations of the Nuisance & Property Enhancement Code, including rental housing complaints.  We also enforce zoning ordinance violations in residential areas. Examples of the types of violations that we have enforcement powers over are:  tall grass & weeds, junk cars, deteriorated landscaping, deteriorated roofs or chipped and peeling paint, swimming pools that have deteriorated or stagnant water, or unsecured swimming pool gates, and interior violations of the rental housing ordinance.   

What we don't have authority to enforce:

 Code violations that occur on commercial properties, such as illegal signage or dead and missing landscaping from commercial sites.  These violations are enforced by the Building Safety section and may be reported to 480-350-8341, via email to dsinspection@tempe.gov or by using the DSD Building Safety on-line complaint submission form at   http://www.tempe.gov/bsafety/Inspections/inspections.htm

Violations that occur on the street or in the public right of way (such as cars parked on sidewalks), or concerns about the behavior of residents (such as loud parties), may be reported to the Tempe Police Department's non-emergency number, 480-350-8311.  

How may I file a complaint?

Complaints may be filed using any of the following methods:

In person:

Our office is located at 21 E. 6th Street, Suite 208, which is located in the south of the city complex in downtown Tempe. The office hours: are 7am through 5pm, Monday through Friday.

Telephone:

Our telephone number is (480) 350-8372.  Anyone wishing to speak with a staff person may call this number between the hours of  7am and 5 pm, Monday through Friday. If the telephone line is already in use, you may leave your complaint information on the answering machine.  Complaints may also be recorded at this same telephone number twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

We also have part time staff available between 5pm and 8pm weekdays and between 8am and 1pm on Saturdays.  If staff is not immediately available to assist you please leave a message and we will respond as quickly as possible. 

Online:

Complaints may be filed online twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week by clicking on the following link:
Online complaint form

Are complainants required to identify themselves?

Complainants typically do not have to identify themselves; although if they would like an inspector to contact them regarding the status of the investigation, their name and daytime telephone number are necessary. 

The one type of violation where the complainants must identify themselves are barking dog complaints. By ordinance, a complaint may not be initiated unless at least three written statements from witnesses are received.  A sample petition for barking dog complaints is available through the following link. 

Barking Dog Petition

 

What is the enforcement process?

Our goal is to obtain voluntary compliance from citizens whenever possible.  The City is divided into geographic areas with a Code Inspector assigned to each one.  Each inspector is responsible for violations occurring within their assigned area.  Generally, the enforcement of codes occurs on both a reactive (complaint from a community source) and a proactive (initiated by the inspector) basis.  There are however, a number of violations that are only enforced after a complaint is received. These include interior violations of the Rental Housing Code, Zoning Ordinance violations, and Nuisance Code violations occurring in enclosed rear yards.  Our goal is to encourage both owners and tenants to voluntarily eliminate any violations that may exist so that Tempe remains a city we can be proud to live in.  When a code violation is reported, we open a complaint and work towards resolving the violation through a process of education, inspection, and notices. Continued violations are followed by progressive enforcement. Each code has its own set of enforcement procedures, however the process generally follows this sequence:

  • Complaint received or violation observed by an inspector

  • Inspection conducted

  • Notice sent to violator allowing time for corrections

  • Reinspection conducted

  • Additional time granted to allow for correction if warranted

  • Civil Citations issued if violation is not corrected

  • Criminal prosecution filed if not corrected after citation

  • Abatement (violation removed by City contractor) and lien.

What is the definition of a family and how many unrelated persons can reside in a R-1 Zone?

The definition of a family and enforcement of excessive number of persons in a R-1 Zone is available on the following link.  The city zoning code prohibits more than three unrelated individuals living together in a single family home.  If concerns arise about the behavior of the individuals living in a home, such as frequent loud parties or disorderly conduct please contact the Tempe Police Department's non-emergency number at 480-350-8311 (call 911 for emergency responses).  

Family definition 

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