Code Compliance Alert:
It depends whether complainant information for the type of complaint must be released under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). For complaints regarding potential violations of the Zoning Ordinance, Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, and the Statewide Fire Prevention Code, your identity is exempt from FOIA, so DCC does not provide your identity for these types of complaints. If you file a complaint for running bamboo or grass height, your identity is not FOIA-exempt, and DCC must release your identity if a FOIA is submitted. DCC would not release your identity prior to a FOIA request. Anonymous complaints are accepted but not preferred. A DCC Investigator may need to contact you for relevant information, and the Investigator may have to close your complaint if information can’t be obtained.
This depends on the nature of the code violation. Fire Code violations and Building Code violations (which include property maintenance violations of the Virginia Maintenance Code) are all appealed to the Local Board of Building Code Appeals. Please contact the Secretary to the Local Board of Building Code Appeals at 703-324-5175, TTY 711, for more information. Appeal applications of Zoning Violations must be properly filed with the Clerk to the Board of Zoning Appeals and the Zoning Administrator. Information and forms can also be obtained on the Board of Zoning Appeals webpage.
Civil penalties entered by the General District Court shall be paid to the Office of the County Attorney. Investigators may not accept any payments, including those associated with fines and fees.
A Code Compliance investigator will notify the responsible parties in writing by issuing a Notice of Violation. The Notice of Violation will itemize code violation(s), require correction within a reasonable timeframe, and direct how to bring code violation(s) into compliance. Once the specified timeframe for compliance has expired, the investigator will conduct a follow-up inspection. If violation(s) are still found to be present, further action will be taken. This may result in the initiation of criminal or civil litigation.
New cases do not all carry the same level of priority for investigation, as some cases will need the investigator’s attention more urgently than other cases. The general practice for prioritizing cases is as follows: first, matters concerning a threat or potential threat to life-safety and welfare; secondly, high profile or matters of significance; and then other cases. Life safety and welfare cases should always receive the utmost attention, so that injury and death can be avoided. This may include, but is not limited to, such cases as: a vacant house on the verge of collapse, exposed sewage backup in an occupied building, or children, the sick or disabled, or the elderly living without utilities.