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Code Enforcement

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The Code Compliance Team works with local citizens and businesses to maintain compliance with Carlton's Municipal Code for the health, safety, and beauty of its community.

Through a process based on communication and prioritization of community health and safety, the code compliance department works to notify citizens when violations are occurring. The team has great success working through code compliance issues with property owners without first going to citations. The City's Code Enforcement Team strives to quickly and equitably address code issues with an emphasis on mitigating code violations affecting public health and safety, for example; right of way obstruction, debris and junk accumulation, and clear vision obstruction.

Citizens can notify the City of code violations at any time using our online form.

FILING A COMPLAINT: To file a complaint, start by filling out the online form. The address or name of the property owner with the violation is required. You can also email Code Enforcement at codecompliance [at] ci.carlton.or.us (subject: Code%20Complaint, body: I%20have%20already%20submitted%20a%20complaint%20through%20the%20online%20form%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ci.carlton.or.us%2Fcommunity%2Fwebform%2Fcomment-inquiry-or-concern-form) (codecompliance[at]ci[dot]carlton[dot]or[dot]us). If you are unable to complete the online form or email the information, you can also mail a handwritten letter to City Hall, ATTN: Code Enforcement, 191 East Main Street, Carlton, OR 97111.

INVESTIGATING A COMPLAINT: Once a complaint is received, Code Enforcement staff will make a site visit to determine if a violation exists. If there is a violation, Code Enforcement will determine who the responsible party/property owner is. Once that is established, the appropriate parties will be notified of the violation(s).

NOTIFICATIONS: Once it has been determined who the responsible party is, Code Compliance staff will notify them of the violation(s). This notification contact will be by letter. All warnings contain a compliance date. If compliance is not met by the compliance date, staff may issue a second notice. In certain situations, such as health, safety matters or repeat violations, there may be no notification before a citation may be issued.

CITATION: If a code violation is not remedied during the notification process, the responsible party/property owner may be issued an Oregon Uniform Citation and Complaint from the Carlton Police Department. Once this citation is issued, the person receiving the citation must appear in court on the date given on the citation. If a defendant is found to be guilty of violating the municipal code after judicial proceedings, the judge may impose a civil penalty, similar to a fine.

ABATEMENT: If the situation is not corrected after citation, the City may post the property with Notice to Abate. At the end of the ten (10) day period, the City may enter the property, with judicial approval, to remove or abate the violations. Once the abatement is completed, the property owner will be billed for the associated costs. If, after 30 days of billing, the abatement costs are not paid, the City may place a lien on the property to recover the abatement cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

You received a violation letter in the mail. The letter will state when the violation needs to be corrected, and it will also give you the exact City Code being violated. If you have questions, you can always reach out to the Code Compliance Team at codecompliance [at] ci.carlton.or.us (codecompliance[at]ci[dot]carlton[dot]or[dot]us) for help and clarification. You can also always read the code yourself in our Municipal Codes on our website.  To avoid any fines or citations, the violation will need to be remedied. 

The City Code does not allow items that obstruct the street, shoulder, planting strips or sidewalks, this includes basketball hoops, RVs, trailers, firewood, bicycles, toys, yard debris and any other items that cause impediment to traffic and pedestrian flow.

 

What is the right of way?

  • The “right of way” is the city owned space between a property line, across the street/vehicle path to the perpendicular property line, this includes sidewalks, planting strips and undeveloped pedestrian paths.

 

What does vision obstruction really mean?

  • If a vehicle is driving on a street drivers need to have a clear travel path and view, this includes being able to see oncoming and cross traffic at intersections.
  • Pedestrians should also have the ability to see vehicles at all intersections and traffic control devices.
  • Pedestrians should not have to leave the sidewalk area to continue walking
  • Cars should be able to safely park and merge with traffic from the side of the street.

 

Citizens and businesses may not park, place or leave anything that, in any way, impedes the traffic, pedestrian flow, or obstructs the view upon any street, alley, parking strip, sidewalk, or curb of the city. Remember to keep the right of way and street clear and to remove any items promptly if temporary placement is necessary.

The city enforces a Code of Ordinances that is freely available to view on our website. If you have any concerns, or are just curious about setbacks or building standards, you can read through the ordinance library here: https://library.municode.com/or/carlton/codes/code_of_ordinances

Please see the attachment below for information on Recreational Vehicles and Trailer Houses. 

Recreational Vehicles and Trailer Houses.

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