Soda Springs sending out Code Violation notices

Chelsey Davids has a number of jobs with the city, including issuing permits, working with Planning and Zoning, serving as an assistant to the City Attorneys, and as it happens, sending out notices related to City Code Enforcement.  For the most part, the codes in question are found in 8.04, 8.08, and 8.12 of the Soda Springs Municipal Code, and cover issues such as “excess junk, debris, weeds, and vehicles” located on the property in question.  Per the code, the city provides the recipient 15 days after receipt to resolve the problem, after which action as laid out by the ordinance may occur.

A first  unresolved violation of the codes will result in a $100 infraction, with a second within the same year resulting in a $200 infraction.  A third within the same year will result in a misdemeanor charge, with an associated maximum fine of $1,000.  

Chelsey herself is responsible for mailing out the notices, not assessing the conditions or serving any paperwork to those in violation.  She notes that “most people who are contacted take care of it on their own.”  Davids can be reached at City Hall at (208) 547-2600.  

There are any number of reasons for the existence of nuisance ordinances.  In general, the stated purpose is often safety.  This is especially true of vegetation that creates a road hazard by blocking drivers’ vision at intersections.  Aesthetics, property values, and general sightliness are also commonly raised as concerns.

Regardless of the reasoning, the ordinances are currently on the books and therefore the expectation is that they should be enforced in order to have any real meaning.  Changing the ordinance is something that obviously could happen as well, though it would require a public hearing and discussion before such a thing could happen.

In the meantime, recipients of any violation letters are encouraged to call the office with any questions.