Princeton Code Enforcement Depar

Ø In August of 1993, the City of Princeton initiated the office of Code Enforcement and over subsequent years began to expand its initial goal of nuisance compliance to include services such as Property Maintenance Inspections and Condemnations. As the services of Code Enforcement grew in positive response and acceptance, it was apparent that the City’s overall image and well-being could be greatly enhanced by the services of Code Enforcement.

Ø Today, many people have come to expect Code Enforcement to work for them, and know that Code Enforcement is a benefit to them, to their neighbors, and their property. They realize Code Enforcement is not just an Enforcement Agency, and people are beginning to see that the appearance of their neighborhoods, and their cooperation with Code Enforcement is a catalyst to reducing negatives such as crime, fire hazards, eyesores, and nuisances.

Ø The Code Enforcement Department, through its members, provides services in:

Ø Through our Neighborhood Improvement thru Code Enforcement Program (NICE), the City Council has awarded 6 applications totaling $5,490 since the program's inception in 2004. NICE is a city-funded program for low-income citizens for property maintenance repairs with a limitation of $1,000 per applicant per year.

Ø Our Department offers educational booklets to our citizens on Animal Control, Property Maintenance Requirements, Littering, Recycling, and City Codes related to “Help Keep the City Clean and Beautiful”.

Ø As a result of our Fire Inspection Program, a total of 152 buildings have been abated to date, through closure, demolition, or compliance.

Ø Also, the first Animal Control Program in the City of Princeton was initiated in 1999. To date, over 1300 animals have been impounded.

Ø The City’s demolition programs emphasized the City’s recognition of the importance of housing and its interrelation to economic growth and development. The removal of blighting due to neglected and out of repair structures not only improves the aesthetics and health of a neighborhood, but also develops land for new housing. Since the initiation of Code Enforcement in the City of Princeton in August of 1993 until the present, there have been 294 total structures removed by grant and non-grant demolition programs which has resulted in the building of several new structures in place of the old structures removed by demolition.

Ø In addition to the removal of unsafe structures, the Code Enforcement Department has overseen the removal of approximately 1,335 abandoned/junk vehicles, and literally tons of trash and refuse, through Public Works Department abatement and citizen cooperation since our program began. During the past fiscal year alone 1,115 property maintenance and housing inspection issues were processed.

	Princeton Code Enforcement Department 100 Courthouse Road Princeton, WV 24740-2431 Code Enforcement Director/Zoning/Flood Plain Management (304) 487-5022 Building Inspector (304) 487-5037 Animal Control Officer (304) 920-3813 Fax (304) 487-5030 E-mail bjbuzzo@hotmail.com
Bill Buzzo, Jr. Director Featured Links:

	Ø In August of 1993, the City of Princeton initiated the office of Code Enforcement and over subsequent years began to expand its initial goal of nuisance compliance to include services such as Property Maintenance Inspections and Condemnations. As the services of Code Enforcement grew in positive response and acceptance, it was apparent that the City’s overall image and well-being could be greatly enhanced by the services of Code Enforcement. Ø Today, many people have come to expect Code Enforcement to work for them, and know that Code Enforcement is a benefit to them, to their neighbors, and their property. They realize Code Enforcement is not just an Enforcement Agency, and people are beginning to see that the appearance of their neighborhoods, and their cooperation with Code Enforcement is a catalyst to reducing negatives such as crime, fire hazards, eyesores, and nuisances. Ø The Code Enforcement Department, through its members, provides services in: Ø *Building Inspection and Permit Issuance* Ø *Property Maintenance Inspection* Ø *Nuisance Inspection* Ø *Flood Plain Management* Ø *Zoning* Ø *Animal Control* Ø *Demolition and Asbestos Inspection* Ø Through our Neighborhood Improvement thru Code Enforcement Program (NICE), the City Council has awarded 6 applications totaling $5,490 since the program's inception in 2004. NICE is a city-funded program for low-income citizens for property maintenance repairs with a limitation of $1,000 per applicant per year. Ø Our Department offers educational booklets to our citizens on Animal Control, Property Maintenance Requirements, Littering, Recycling, and City Codes related to “Help Keep the City Clean and Beautiful”. Ø As a result of our Fire Inspection Program, a total of 152 buildings have been abated to date, through closure, demolition, or compliance. Ø Also, the first Animal Control Program in the City of Princeton was initiated in 1999. To date, over 1300 animals have been impounded. Ø The City’s demolition programs emphasized the City’s recognition of the importance of housing and its interrelation to economic growth and development. The removal of blighting due to neglected and out of repair structures not only improves the aesthetics and health of a neighborhood, but also develops land for new housing. Since the initiation of Code Enforcement in the City of Princeton in August of 1993 until the present, there have been 294 total structures removed by grant and non-grant demolition programs which has resulted in the building of several new structures in place of the old structures removed by demolition. Ø In addition to the removal of unsafe structures, the Code Enforcement Department has overseen the removal of approximately 1,335 abandoned/junk vehicles, and literally tons of trash and refuse, through Public Works Department abatement and citizen cooperation since our program began. During the past fiscal year alone 1,115 property maintenance and housing inspection issues were processed.