- February 24, 2025
Regulations for both structure and landscaping maintenance are being considered.
Wayne Grant
News Editor
Changes are coming to the city’s property maintenance code, for both business and residential, but they are pretty far down the road. City staff is going to submit proposed new regulations to the Quality of Life Advisory Board in the fall, and their recommendations will then go to the City Commission for consideration.
At a board meeting on July 2, City Manager Joyce Shanahan got feedback from the advisory board for city staff to use in crafting proposed new regulations.
Last year, Citizens For Ormond Beach reported on research they had conducted into “zombie houses,” structures that are in a state of limbo in the foreclosure process. One of the things that came out of that project was a belief by many that the city should have codes related to the structure of houses, such as peeling paint, rotting wood and broken garage doors.
“CFOB has been working on this problem for one and half years,” President Rita Press told the board at the meeting. “There’s a house on Lake Bridge that has been empty since (Hurricane) Charley. Outside, there are no steps. There’s no garage door.”
Houses in disrepair bring down property values, as well as create safety hazards, CFOB contends.
Shanahan told the board that the City Commission has clarified that their interest is limited to maintenance of the exterior of the structures only, and not inside houses.
She said the board can consider regulations for empty businesses that are deteriorating. She pointed out that the Texaco gas station, at the corner of Nova Road and Granada Boulevard, does not break any codes, even though many residents consider it an eyesore.
The board discussed their preferences, with some members wanting structural rules applied only to businesses, but most indicating there should be rules for residential also. Some were concerned that a homeowner might not have funds to make repairs, but others said church groups or others often help, and there are also grants available from the county.
As a starting point, the board approved a motion to craft a set of regulations based on those in New Smyrna Beach, which covers both residential and business. They will make specific recommendations this fall, after city staff presents proposed new guidelines.
Some regulations under review
— Tree maintenance. The Land Development Code contains regulations that promote safe sight at intersections but here are no provisions that require trees to be maintained. For example, a homeowner needs a permit to cut down a tree, but can remove all of the limbs because there are no trimming ordinances.
— Green pools/water conditions. There is no specific requirement for pool maintenance. (However, the city does enforce pool security and will immediately secure a pool that presents a hazard.)
— Overgrown shrubs and vines and unkempt landscaping are not regulated. Guidelines for the board noted that this can be a difficult issue, because vines, for example, can provide aesthetic appeal in some cases but in other cases are simply not being maintained.
— Structural problems. Unpainted houses, garage doors that are ajar and general exterior maintenance are not regulated.
