Who can file a complaint?

Anyone can file a complaint by using one of the following methods: 

1. Filing online through the City's web site using the Complaint Form
2. Contacting a Code Enforcement Neighborhood Inspector by telephone or e-mail
3. Mailing a written complaint to Code Enforcement Staff at the Government Center, 44 West Hebble Avenue, Fairborn, OH 45324. Be sure to include the same information as requested on the Complaint Form,
4. Faxing the same information to (937) 879-7397.

At a minimum, complaints should include the address of the subject property and the specific nature of the concern. It is important to give as detailed a description of the location as possible if the actual address is unknown (i.e., northwest corner of....). If we cannot locate the correct property, we may not be able to address the complaint.

You can always find out the status of a complaint by calling a Code Enforcement Neighborhood Inspector at (937) 754-3050.

What happens after a complaint is received?

1. When a non-emergency complaint is received it is assigned an inspection date by zone.
2. After a violation is verified it is entered into a database for tracking.
3. When investigating a complaint, we make every attempt to personally contact the owner or responsible party. 
4. If we are not successful, the inspector will post the property with a Notice of Violation.
5. When personal contact is successful the violation is reviewed with the responsible party and written orders to correct the violation within a specified time frame are issued either by hand or through the US Postal Service.
6. When violations are not corrected by the owner or responsible party within the designated time period for compliance, the City has a number of legal and/or administrative options for addressing non-compliance.
7. Owners/responsible parties have the right to appeal the written orders.

What if I can't afford to do the work?

We make every effort to work with those individuals with legitimate financial issues that may affect their ability to correct a violation within the given compliance time. If a loan is needed, we can allow additional time to make the proper arrangements with your lending institution.

The City of Fairborn has a variety of rehabilitation programs to encourage and assist homeowners with necessary home repairs. To find out what types of repairs are eligible please contact the Neighborhood Betterment Division.

What about those who do not comply?

The City has a number of options to ensure compliance depending on the type and severity of the violation, and the discretion of the Neighborhood Inspector. For example, the City may abate tall grass and weed violations if compliance isn't achieved within the given time frame (generally 7 days) and bill the property owner for the cost of the work plus administrative fees.

If an abatement invoice isn't paid within the required time frame it is forwarded to Greene County and placed as an assessment on the property taxes.

If violations other than tall grass and weeds are not corrected within the specified time, court action may be necessary.

Occasionally an extension may be given after compliance deadline.

If a violation is sent to the Fairborn Municipal Court, the cited party is assigned a court date.

Anyone convicted of violating any provision of a City code is guilty of a minor misdemeanor, and the Court may impose mandatory fines and court costs.