The code official shall enforce the provisions of the codes of the City of Griffin as well as the International Property Maintenance Code adopted by the City of Griffin.

Code Enforcement's intent is to ensure the Health, Safety and Welfare of the public.

Although code enforcement operates on complaints from citizens and city officials, code enforcement also patrols the streets of the city for violations. Some of the most asked about are the following:

• Inoperable Vehicles: Junk or inoperable motor vehicle means an automobile, motorcycle, motor truck, trailer, semi-trailer, tractor trailer combination, and all other vehicles designed or intended to be operated over the public streets and highways and used as a means of transporting persons or property over the same that are propelled by power, other than muscle power, or parts thereof, that is wrecked, ruined, dismantled, partially dismantled, inoperative, or is abandoned or discarded, or does not have a current license plate and a current tag registration decal. Covering the vehicle does not correct the violation.
   
• Nuisance of Premises: 
  Causes of action; examples of public nuisances. Conditions or activities occurring on private property that may constitute public nuisances may include, but are not limited to, the following:
• 1. Dwellings, buildings or structures which due to dilapidation, age or obsolescence have defects which increase the hazards of fire, accidents, or other calamities; which lack adequate ventilation, light, or sanitary facilities; or where other conditions exist rendering such dwellings, buildings, or structures unsafe or unsanitary;  
  2. Real property on which there has been allowed to accumulate weeds, trash, junk, filth, and other unsanitary or unsafe conditions inimical to the health, safety, and welfare of its residents and occupants of adjoining properties;  
  3. Any building, structure, or place used for the purpose of lewdness, prostitution, sodomy or other unlawful sexual purposes;
  4. Any dwelling, building, or structure that is vacant and unsecured so as to prevent unauthorized use or entry in which drug crimes are being committed; and (5) Any discharge of pollutants (whether air or water borne) off the real property on which the discharge originates, except pursuant to a NPDES permit and discharges resulting from fire suppression activities. For purposes of this section, "pollutants" shall include but not be limited to: soils, solid wastes, sewage, chemicals, pesticides and fertilizers (except when applied in accordance with generally accepted agricultural practices), sludge, biological materials, radioactive materials, scrap or discarded equipment, or other industrial, municipal and agricultural waste 
      
• Yard Sales: The city does not require a permit for a yard sale that is being held at a private residence, however if it were in a public or commercial area a special use permit would have to be obtained
   
• Signs: No sign shall be place or erected on City Right of way. This includes utility poles, stop signs, or in street margins. It’s best to check with Code Enforcement if you’re not sure of the right of way.
   
• How high is too high for grass? Anything over 12 inches is too high.
   
• My power got cut off and my neighbor is letting me borrow his. NO NO NO ! This is a fire hazard and you will be issued a citation for sharing power. It’s all about safety.
   
• Can I burn in the City: The City of Griffin has a No Burn Ordinance. Unless it is a recreational fire with an adult 18 or over present or a construction site where the temperatures have fallen below 40 degrees or you have a permit from the fire marshall.

About the employees:

James (Jim) Osteen : A native of Savannah Ga. He has worked with the city for ten years working in various departments. He has been in code enforcement four years. Jim has an associate’s degree in criminal justice. He is a 2010 graduate of The City of Griffin’s Leadership Development Institute and a member of the Georgia Association of Code Enforcement (GACE).

Carol Rainwater: A native of Florida, She has worked for the city for 11 years. Mrs. Rainwater has been in the code Enforcement division for six years and currently has a Master’s Certificate in local government Code Enforcement. She is a 2009 graduate of the City of Griffin Leadership Development Institute, 2011 Graduate of the Spalding County/ Griffin Leadership program and a long time member of GACE Georgia Association of Code Enforcement.