About Code Compliance

Neighborhood Preservation Code Compliance Inspectors investigate and work to resolve violations of the following Phoenix City Codes and Ordinances:

• Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance (Chapter 39)
• Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 41)
• Mobile Vending (Chapter 10)
• Adult Businesses (Chapter 10)
• Massage Establishments (Chapter 10)
• Portions of the Animal Ordinance (Chapter 8)

These regulations promote the health and safety of Phoenix residents while preserving property values by protecting neighborhoods from blight, deterioration, and illegal land use activities.

Code Compliance staff works to achieve compliance in a variety of ways, including:

• Providing City Code Education to Residents and Business Owners
• Pursuing Progressive Code Enforcement per the city's Code Enforcement Policy
• Coordinating Resources for Neighborhood Cleanups and Tool Lending
• Providing Hardship Assistance and Compliance Assistance Program Referrals
• Collaborating with Other City Departments and Agencies

Code Compliance Cases

The Neighborhood Services Department opens code compliance cases based on:

• reported complaints from the community
• staff observations of common blight violations while working in the field in accordance with the Code Enforcement Policy
• staff observations of common blight violations within defined areas targeted for blight reduction as part of a neighborhood revitalization plan, including:
  • Redevelopment Areas (RDAs)
  • Neighborhood Initiative Areas (NIAs)

Code Compliance Process

Neighborhood Preservation staff focuses code compliance efforts on education, notification, and communication. As a result, property owners, occupants and other responsible parties resolve well over 90 percent of code compliance cases voluntarily, following notifications that include:

• Prenotification letter
  • advises recipient that NSD received a complaint and an inspection will occur soon
• Notice of Ordinance Violation (NOV)
  • advises recipient of an observed violation(s) and provides a future date to comply

When property owners and responsible parties do not achieve voluntary compliance, the next steps in the code compliance process may include:

• Civil Citation
  • civil summons to appear in Phoenix Municipal Court for specified charges
• Contractual Abatement
  • city hires a contractor to abate specified blight violations following the expiration of an Abatement NOV
• Criminal charge
  • criminal summons to appear in Phoenix Municipal Court for specified charges

Standard Code Enforcement Process

For more code compliance information, refer to these resources:

Check the status of a code enforcement case

Methods to report blight:

Online: https://phxatyourservice.dynamics365portals.us/

Email: blight@phoenix.gov

Telephone: 602-534-4444

NSD Code Compliance Contact Information:

Neighborhood Services Department

Preservation Division

200 W Washington St

4th Floor

Phoenix, AZ 85003

Phone: 602-534-4444

Fax: 602-495-5567