Property maintenance remains high priority

Kingsport has taken a more proactive approach to code enforcement in recent years, especially when it comes to dilapidated structures.

So much so that during a given a year, the city will order 25 to 35 demolitions. Presently, there’s more than 60 active cases within the city’s building department – three houses have already been demolished this year, two more are out for bid, two cases have been appealed to Sullivan County Chancery Court while six more are ready for the wrecking ball.

Kingsport allocated $75,000 in year end money last fall to cover the cost of demolitions, mowing grass and boarding up doors/windows at neglected properties.

“I’m a firm believer that our property maintenance code is one of the most important codes we have, as a city,” said Keith Bruner, building official for the city.

City officials have said tearing down a dilapidated structure helps the neighborhood on a number of fronts – it improves the value of nearby properties, removes any squatters who may have taken up residence and curbs the spread of dilapidation. When one house gets dilapidated, the phenomenon tends to spread to other nearby properties.

On the flip side, when people take pride in their homes, their neighbors tend to do so as well.

“Our city code helps ensure the value of people’s property to increase instead of decreasing and affecting their right of the enjoyment of their property,” Bruner said.

Under state law, Kingsport has the authority to demolish unfit structures and the general process is as follows:

• The city receives a complaint about a structure and the building department performs an initial inspection. If it meets the definition of an unfit structure, a dilapidation case is created.
• The owners are identified and given 30 days to repair or raze the structure.
• If the owners fail to act, then the case moves towards the hearing process, where the building official will render a decision about the future of the property following a hearing.
• Owners can appeal the decision to Sullivan County Chancery Court and ultimately to the Tennessee Court of Appeals.
• If Kingsport has to demolish the structure, a lien for that cost is placed on the property and once the property is sold, the city would then collect the lien.