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

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´      The office of Code Enforcement was initiated in August of 1993, and over subsequent years began to expand its initial goal of nuisance compliance to include services such as Property Maintenance Inspections and Condemnations. The Code Enforcement Department, through its members, provides services in:

´      Building Inspection and Permit Issuance

´      Property Maintenance Inspection

´      Nuisance Inspection

´      Flood Plain Management

´      Zoning

´      Animal Control

´      Demolition and Asbestos Inspection

´      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.

´      Princeton City Council has awarded 7 applications, totaling $6,490 through our Neighborhood Improvement thru Code Enforcement Program (NICE) 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.

´      Last year, 595 permits were issued for new construction, remodeling, repairs, etc., totaling $8,820,417 in value for property improvements.

´      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”.

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

´      During last fiscal year, 103 animals were impounded, bringing the total to date of 1,437 animals impounded through our Animal Control Program, which was initiated in 1999 — the first in the City of Princeton.

´      Since the initiation of Code Enforcement in the City of Princeton in August of 1993 until the present, there have been 337 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. 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.

´      In addition to the removal of unsafe structures, the Code Enforcement Department has overseen the removal of an additional 70 abandoned/junk vehicles this past year bringing the total to 1405 removed to date. Literally tons of trash and refuse have been removed, through Public Works Department abatement and citizen cooperation since our program began.  During the past fiscal year alone 1,600 property maintenance and housing inspection issues were processed.

 

The mission of the Code Enforcement Department is to provide the citizens of Princeton, property owners, tenants, business operators, and any visitors with effective and efficient application of the City Codes of Princeton.  In the interest of public safety, health, and aesthetics, the Princeton Code Enforcement Department shall provide Code Enforcement services in a fair and beneficial manner to help improve the City's overall image and well-being.  The Princeton Code Enforcement Department shall accept the challenge and responsibility to work with people to seek their cooperation within the spirit of the law, and to strive to be a catalyst in order to reduce neighborhood negatives such as crime, fire hazards, eyesores, and nuisances.