The International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) requires owners to maintain their property and addresses three basic areas:

Grounds

Grass must be kept under a foot tall. Starting the first of each year, the City will issue only one notice of violation for overgrown grass or property debris. The second offense will go straight to the ticketing process or court summons. In case of an absentee owner with overgrown property, the City will cut the weeds and bill the owner. The grounds must be free of junk, trash and tree debris, standing water, and other unsanitary conditions. Make sure that recyclables are inside your free bin, your rollout garbage can have the lid down, and that both are set out on the curb on your pickup day.

Buildings

The code outlines requirements for exterior building issues such as missing, damaged or rotted boards; sagging roofs; blistered or peeling paint; porch steps and handrails. This includes outbuildings as well as the main residence or commercial business, both for multi-family and single-family dwellings. The code outlines the requirements for a working permanent heating source rather than kerosene heaters. It also addresses inadequate bathroom and kitchen facilities, faulty wiring and plumbing, and lack of power and water. Windows and doors must open and close, as well as lock properly, and smoke alarms are required. There are also requirements for rodent and pest control.

To check if your property is compliant, review the IPMC Self-Inspection Checklist (PDF).

Inspectors proactively conduct inspections from their vehicles while working in the field. This model helps reduce issues before complaints arise. Inspectors document:

• Parking on grass
• Overgrown grass
• Tree debris
• Accumulations of trash and other debris
• Exterior building issues such as peeling paint, rotting boards, and unsafe conditions.

Depending on the violation, property owners and/or tenants are notified in writing of the violation, necessary corrections, and given a deadline to take corrective measures. In many cases, corrections can be made within a few days.

Staff will work with those who show a good faith effort to comply. A variety of programs, such as Rolling in Rock Hill, housing rehab, and demolition are offered to qualified owners.

Nuisance violations are property conditions or activities that can threaten public health, safety, and community aesthetics.

Structure violations are related to exterior property that may need repair or attention that can range from minor exterior violations to boarded structures that may require demolition.

If you need to report a violation, call 803-329-7014 or email NS Inspections. All calls are treated as anonymous and you are not required to give your name; however, emails are subject to FOIA. Please allow 48 hours. Be sure to provide your contact information if requesting a call back.

When one or more violations are present, the Neighborhood Inspections team will assess the violations. They will issue written notices to property owners allowing them a reasonable time to correct problems. Owners who fail to correct the violations could be summoned to court and charged fines for the violations.

Check the Open Case Map for existing cases at a specific address.