New code enforcement program beginning in St. Joseph County

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. -- The new St. Joseph County Code Enforcement program that is aimed at taking care of overgrown plants, abandoned vehicles and other public nuisances will officially begin on Friday.

Since announcing the creation of the new code enforcement program, the county reports that they have already received 200 filed complaints regarding code violations.

"People have complained about this house, this house, this house, and we've never had, the county has never had, the mechanism to go after this. So, all this is driven by complaints from the citizens,” said Derek Dieter, St. Joseph County Commissioner.

All code-related complaints will be addressed by an officer who will give a courtesy tag to homeowners to notify them of their violation.

The second visit from an officer will include a written citation for homeowners, but without a fine attached. Further measures will be taken against violations on a third visit to a residence.

Visit the St. Joseph County’s Code Enforcement website to submit any code violation concerns located near you.