The Pierre City Commission has approved increased fees for violations of the town’s property maintenance code.
Those who are warned, yet remain in violation of property maintenance code, will now be issued violation fees between $100 and $500.
City Finance Officer Twila Hight says the change is intended to mitigate repeat offenders and encourage responsible property maintenance. She says they hope the violation fee increases will encourage voluntary compliance and reduce the number of property maintenance complaints.
Last year (2021), the Pierre Police Department handled about 100 complaints related to overgrown yards and snow removal. The process requires the Police Department to verify the violation and contact the property owner. The owner then has five days to bring the property into compliance. If voluntary compliance is not achieved, Police Chief Jason Jones says the City has a third party cut weeds, mow grass or remove the snow. He says the City then seeks payment from the property owner for the service provided.
Beginning July 15, 2022, after receiving a warning, those who fail to comply with local property maintenance codes should expect a $100 fee for the first violation, a $250 fee for the second violation and a $500 fee for the third and all subsequent violations. Additionally, the property owner will remain responsible for the cost of the lawn or snow removal service and an additional $100 administrative fee if the bill is sent to the county for payment through the annual property tax collection.
Jones says Pierre will continue to work with property owners to achieve voluntary compliance. He says they don’t enjoy assessing fines.
Pierre’s property maintenance violation fees had been the same since 2017.
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