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About Property Maintenance
Property maintenance requirements are designed to protect the public health, safety and welfare in all existing residential and non-residential structures, and on all existing premises. Property maintenance requirements apply to all premises, structures, buildings, equipment, and facilities for light, ventilation, space, heating, sanitation, protection from the elements, life safety, safety from fire and other hazards, and for safe and sanitary maintenance.
Anyone within Cape Girardeau may make a property maintenance complaint. The complaint should be in relation to health, sanitation or safety. Some situations that may fall under the development code ordinance regarding property maintenance and health and sanitation ordinances are:
- Properties perceived to have faulty electrical, plumbing, or heating
- Property open to the elements
- Properties with excessive trash and debris
- Properties in state of dilapidation, deterioration or decay
The items listed above are by no means exclusive. If you have property maintenance concern, please contact us directly.
Complaints dealing with the structures and buildings should be directed to the Inspections Services Office by calling (573) 339-6327, or visit the Community Development Department office at City Hall.
Complaints dealing with weeds, trash, and other problems around the property should be directed to the Police Department’s Nuisance Abatement officer at (573) 339-6311.
Common Violations
Whether driven by a citizen complaint or observed by our officers and inspectors, common violations regard:
- Any growth of weeds or grass more than 10 inches is a violation
- Residents and property owners are responsible for removing trash from their property
- Swimming pools must be enclosed
- Any houses not occupied must be secured to prevent entry by people, animals, or elements of the weather
- Structures must be safe, sanitary, and maintained in a clean condition at all times
- Burned structures must be secured immediately and any debris in or around the yard removed to prevent any safety hazards
- Brush piles must not accumulate on the property
- Property must be maintained to edge of road or gravel portion of roadway/alley
