You may have wondered if you have seen an increase in Code Enforcement officers lately, and you wouldn't be wrong. We now have six full-time officers to serve Chamblee.
A bit of history. When Chamblee was a smaller town of just 8,000 people, we had only one or two officers at any time. During the last ten years, the city has gone through multiple iterations of what this department looked like. We had in-house employees, we used Chamblee PD, and we have also outsourced. We finally brought it back in-house a few years ago.
This brings us to today. After two annexations and organic growth, we have more than quadrupled in size. The increase in code enforcement officers was sorely needed to service this growth effectively. During the Council's strategic retreat in 2023, the Council recognized this need and created the plan for the department's expansion.
A bit about what Code Enforcement does. The City of Chamblee has set basic rules - the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) - for how properties, buildings, and structures should be used, occupied, and maintained. Without these rules, poorly maintained properties could pose safety risks, lower property values, harm the community's well-being, and become unsightly. Code Enforcement is tasked with enforcing these rules.
Code Enforcement also handles commercial properties. Did you know that 60% of Chamblees's population are renters? This includes apartments and single-family homes. Code Enforcement ensures that the property owners - or, in many cases, investors - provide livable conditions for our residents.
On the residential side, Code Enforcement also ensures that specific projects, such as building a deck, are permitted. Why would you need a permit for a new deck on your home? Does it seem excessively burdensome? The main reason is for everyone's safety. There are many unlicensed, unbonded "contractors" out there, and the inspection process helps to protect the homeowner from shoddy work, saving money and time and providing that safety.
Chamblee created a guide last year to help homeowners navigate Code Enforcement, and it can be found here.
As always, let me know if you have any questions or comments. jfurst@chambleega.gov
770-901-1121
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