Frequently Asked Questions

What is Code Compliance?

• Code Compliance is responsible for investigating possible violations of the City of McMinnville's Development Code and certain City Ordinances to enhance neighborhood preservation while providing sensitive, courteous and outstanding public service. We are committed to proudly serving our community in a safe, professional and effective manner.

How do I File a Complaint?

• Code Compliance staff can be contacted by in person, by phone, email, or by our online complaint form.

         Nic Miles
         503-474-4152
         nic.miles@mcminnvilleoregon.gov

         Click here to go to the Complaint Form

What is the complaint review process?

• Code compliance complaints are reviewed by our team of officers. We review complaints for compliance issues, and if they exist, we conduct a site visit to investigate and document the code violations. Officers will document physical compliance issues (junk, weeds, cars, home-operated businesses, etc.), and also document any non-physical compliance issues such as noise complaints. Notices of Violation are issued to the property owner, as well as the tenant (if different). Addressees have 10 days to bring the property back into compliance (mowing their lawns, removing junked cars, moving a home business to an appropriate area, etc.). On day 10, the property is re-inspected for compliance. If steps are not made toward bringing a property into compliance, then a Civil Penalty Citation may be issued, which could apply to each day that the property remains in violation. An additional 10 days is provided to gain compliance. If a party remains out of compliance for an additional 10 days, then code compliance officers will either abate the violation invoice the property owner for full cost recovery. If the invoice goes unpaid for 30 days, it will be placed as a lien on the property.

What Should I do if I received a Code Compliance Notice? 

• Correct the violation on or before the date given on the notice.  If you have questions, would like to request a site visit or would like to discuss an alternative timeline for bringing your property into compliance, contact the Code Compliance Department directly at 503-434-7305.

Can I Appeal a Notice of Violation, Civil Penalty Citation, or Invoice of Costs?

• An appeal for Notice of Violation may be filed within 10 days of the date on the notice. An appeal for a Civil Penalty Citation can be filed with 10 days of the date of the citation. An appeal for the Corrective Actions Costs can be filed within 30 days of the date of the notice. All appeals must be sent to the City Manager at 230 NE 5th Street, McMinnville, OR 97128 and must contain the following:
  • The name, mailing address, telephone number and email address of the person submitting the protest
  • A description of the real property, by street address or otherwise, on which the code violation is alleged to exist
  • A written statement, and all supporting evidence, specifying the basis for the protest

What are the Most Common Types of Complaints that Code Compliance Reviews?

• Weed and Noxious Growth
• Debris on Private Property
• Overhanging Branches
• Vision Obstructions at Intersections
• Noise
• Sign Violations
• Junk and Solid Waste
• Zoning Violations

What constitutes a noise nuisance?

• A noise nuisance can take many shapes and forms. Some common and enforceable situations include barking dogs, residential construction before 7am or after 8pm, noise generated by a home-operated business, and excessive noise adjacent to institutions of learning, churches, hospitals and courts of justice. For more information, contact the code compliance office or click here to review the city code.

Are the weeds and/or in my lawn too high?

• City code states that all lawns and weeds must not exceed ten inches, and it is the homeowner’s duty to maintain their lawns to those standards. Yard debris is to be stored in an appropriate bin and discarded within a reasonable amount time. Yard debris is not to accumulate throughout residence, create a fire hazard or be kept in such a way that devalues the area and surrounding properties.

What is considered solid waste?

• Solid waste includes all manner of refuse, including but not limited to mounds of dirt, compost, piles of leaves, grass and weed clippings, paper trash, useless fragments of building material, rubble, household items and appliances, items of salvage such as scrap metal and wood, barrels, tires, tree and brush trimmings, and other miscellaneous wastes or rejected matter.

Can I burn rubbish or yard debris?

• Residents are allowed to burn on their properties between October 15 and November 15, and May 1 and May 31. However, regardless of the time of year, you must call daily burn information (503) 472-3344 to confirm that burning is being allowed by DEQ that particular day.

Can I/my neighbor operate a business from my home?

• Please review section 17.67 of the McMinnville Municipal Code to learn more about requirements for a Home Occupation.

Who maintains the trees in front of my property?

• Trees located in the public right-of-way, including parking strips between streets and sidewalks, shall be maintained by the immediately abutting property owner and shall not be cut down, removed, topped, or transplanted without first contacting our office or applying for a Street Tree Removal permit.

Can I burn my yard debris?

• Residents are allowed to burn on their properties between October 15 and November 15, and May 1 and May 31. However, regardless of the time of year, you must call daily burn information (503) 472-3344 to confirm that burning is being allowed by DEQ that particular day.

Contact

• If you would like to submit a complaint for electronically, click here. You can also visit us at 231 NE 5th Street to pick up a copy of the form to fill out. Please contact us at 503-434-5026 for more information.