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Pierce County Combines Code Enforcement Programs

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Pierce County combines code enforcement programs: (effective 7/27/09)

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why is Pierce County combining code enforcement?

Pierce County is consolidating code enforcement functions in a pilot project to increase service, eliminate redundancy, and achieve budget efficiencies.

Effective July 27, 2009, code enforcement officers and support staff from Public Works and Utilities and Planning and Land Services will work together as one team.

In her campaign for County Executive last fall, Pat McCarthy pledged to improve customer service in county government.

'This consolidation is part of a larger effort by my office to make our code enforcement and permitting system more efficient,' McCathy said in a press release announcing the move.

What are the benefits of combining service?

Cost savings: Consolidating the two programs will provide an estimated annual cost savings of $143,000 in salary and benefits by reducing the number of people needed to perform the work. Some enforcement actions will remain at Planning & Land Services.
Unified Functions: Prior to consolidation, code enforcement officers from both agencies were assigned separate functions.

For example, an officer responding to a nuisance (junk) vehicle complaint could not resolve a complaint dealing with an occupied recreational vehicle on the same property. The new program unified most functions.
Compacted service areas: With the consolidation, six officers will be responsible for the full range of code enforcement services, allowing service territory sizes to be cut in half.

The officers will be better able to increase their presence in specific neighborhoods and be more available to interact with Land Use Advisory Commissions, neighborhood and community associations, residents, businesses, and civic organizations.