Code Enforcement if Peachtree Corners Becomes a City

I received the below email this morning.

Code Enforcement if Peachtree Corners Becomes a City

By The Peachtree Corners Ballot Committee


One of the 3 proposed services for a City of Peachtree Corners is “Code Enforcement”. What is a “service” in the eyes of UPCCA can quickly become a “horror” for the city’s resident.  Here are a few examples:
Code enforcement companies are contracted with the city.  Therefore, they will be out to fine, ticket and enforce violations that most of us will not realize we are committing, until it’s too late.
 In Roswell a new resident was fined $15.00 because their trash container was out front in the street, and it wasn’t collection day.
Do you have a dead tree in your yard? It’s a code violation.
 The charter will even make us responsible for sidewalk repair in front of our homes; we could be fined if they are not maintained.
 Code enforcement officers are encouraged by a salary that has incentives and is commission based.  The more tickets, they write the more money they make. Fines and Permit costs will be set by the city council, your “self determined” neighbors, and the people who are in office.
Permits
As a source of revenue, some small towns and cities throughout the United States have enacted an ordinance requiring the sale of homes within the city limits be inspected before the homeowner can put them up for sale.
A code enforcement officer will inspect your home at a cost that will be split with the city.  Some cities are charging as much as $500 for the permit.  Any violations will have to be corrected before you will be allowed to put your home on the market.
Examples:
Some homes in our area have smoke alarms that are not wired, but are battery operated.
Current code requires bigger ventilation ductwork for hot water heaters than the codes when many houses in PC were built
In Peachtree Station, most chimneys do not meet the required height according to the current code.
Today, any inspection repairs can be negotiated between the buyer and the seller.  If we have to get a permit we may no longer have that freedom.



. Many in John’s Creek were caught by surprise by the sudden need to acquire permits that were not necessary prior to becoming a city
When is a permit required in Johns Creek?
 "Any owner, authorized agent, or contractor who desires to construct,
enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a
building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove,
convert, or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system, the
installation of which is regulated by the construction codes, or to cause
any such work to be done, shall first make application to the Building
Official and obtain the required permit for the work. A permit shall not be
issued to an owner, who is neither a licensed contractor nor the occupant of
a residential structure being altered."—City Code, Chapter 105-52****

   Pretty encompassing language:
Want to have a plumber install a new water heater or toilets in your house- get a permit.
Want to change your fireplace to gas logs- get a permit.
Want to make some roofing repairs- get a permit
Want to change your electric cook top to a gas unit-get a permit.
Technically, if you bought a new water saving shower head at Home Depot and wanted to install it yourself in your shower, you would need to get a permit and hire a plumber.

  Note: in Gwinnett County, you do not need a permit for any of the above examples; except possibly having to run a new gas line or new electrical circuit for the stove, but not the stove itself.



In John’s Creek, a family wanted to enhance their backyard with a gazebo, fire pit, and seating. The permit was $750, while the entire cost of the project was less than $900.

In John’s Creek, a permit is also needed if your neighborhood wants to put up a graduation sign for your children.
In Dunwoody, hot water tanks have to be permitted along with heating and A/C unit replacements. Want to have a garage sale with your neighbor?  You will need a permit.


   And a real life situation from Jack Fox of Peachtree Station:
You are so right in advising people to find out what happened in Johns Creek. We owned a second home there when it became a city. Suddenly, you had to get city permits for everything from re-roofing your own roof to putting up "graduation signs" in your yard.  The city found more ways to raise money with ridiculous permits than you can imagine.  It made our selling that home very difficult.

    Making it harder to sell your home tends to lower your property values.


Code Enforcement Fines and Permit costs are a way for a city to generate income.   This is just a few examples of how the new city will be able to control you through code enforcement and permits.  You will have less “self determination” about so many things you might wish to do with your home or business.  The new city government will “self determine” for you. None of these permits and fees will go to a referendum for approval. It’s in the Charter.

Consider this when you vote on November 8th.