Property Care Ordinance

August Update:  The Property Care Ordinance working group held a six public meetings during May, June and July on topics related to property care. The working group has developed a draft purpose and intent statement as well as standards for property and structures. The approach includes new standards for care, but rely on existing city code for enforcement standards. A City Council work session to discuss the PCO is scheduled for September 27, 2022. 

On November 24th, 2020 the Flagstaff City Council directed staff to prepare a Property Maintenance Ordinance (PMO) for their consideration. The City Council last reviewed a PMO in 2012 and 2013. The proposed Ordinance was not adopted at that time. Rather than present the previous ordinance, City staff has proposed creating a Property Care Ordinance (PCO) that not only addresses life, health and safety issues, but also speaks to broader goals such as investing and preserving existing housing stock, slowing gentrification and providing resources to property owners.

Typical ordinances include sections on the condition of structures, the condition of property and abandoned property. Regulations on structures may include the condition of exterior materials, doors and windows, and roofs. Regulations on property cover the accumulation of debris and garbage, obstruction of sidewalks and encroachments on adjacent property, and the storage of vehicles and equipment. Finally, the typical ordinance includes treatment of abandoned structures and property that are uninhabited, may be boarded up and not maintained. The draft PCO will be clearly and plainly written, with less reliance on “off the shelf” legalese and numerous long, specific definitions.

Staff is providing information on existing provisions in the City Code and will host a conversation on compliance on July 14, 2022. The working group will not only advise on the draft ordinance, but on compliance, communications and resources for Flagstaff property owners.

The goal of the working group is to have a draft ordinance to present at a City Council work session in September 2022. 

The history of Property Maintenance Ordinance (PMO) is available here PMO History  Review the Existing City Code related to Property Care.