Code Enforcement

Inspection Requirements

The City of Dellwood requires that a code of compliance inspection be performed for any change of occupancy or ownership of a residence, including rental property. The fee for the initial inspection is $75. If a re-inspection is needed, there is a fee of $30 per inspection. The house must pass the code of compliance inspection before an Occupancy Permit may be issued. Schedule an inspection.

Summer Months

During the warmer months of the year the Code Enforcement Officer will be looking for properties with tall grass and weeds that are in violation of the code. Grass and weeds must be kept below eight inches to avoid a citation. For a list of important city ordinances to remember view City Ordinances.

Code Compliance Inspection Guidelines

Below are some things that the Building Inspector will be looking at when inspecting the property.

EXTERIOR

SIDING:

  1. What is the condition, (broken, peeling paint, cracked)
  2. Are there any shingles or pieces missing
  3. If brick are all bricks in place

FOUNDATION:

  1. Condition (cracks, chipped corners, painting needed )
  2. Any leaks at ground level or below the walls

GUTTERS & DOWN SPOUTS:

  1. Aluminum, galvanized, or copper
  2. Condition (damaged and spilling into splash-guard, any missing sections, needs replacing, needs repairs, needs to be painted)
  3. Are downspouts attached and draining away from the building.

WINDOWS :

  1. Condition (broken or cracked panes)
  2. Operable (opens and close without any problems)
  3. Type: Metal or wood (is any painting needed)

SCREENS:

  1. Condition (any tears, holes, pulled away from gasket)
  2. Screens should be in all windows that open and storm doors

FENCES:

  1. Type: chain link or privacy
  2. Condition (rusting & needs to be painted, falling down, leaning, sagging, missing rails, vegetation growing in fence, wooden fence needs to be painted )

ACCESSORY BUILDING:

  1. Type: Metal or wooden
  2. Properly secured to ground (anchored down)
  3. Condition (in need to repairs or painting, doors are attached and operable)
  4. Legally located in yard (5 ft from rear property line & 3 ft from side property lines)
  5. Building should be on a concrete pad.

DRIVEWAY / SIDEWALKS:

  1. Cracked sections, pitted sections, raised section (replacement needed)

YARDS:

  1. Unnecessary debris ?litter (tree limbs, branches, leaves)
  2. Grass excessively high (over 8 inches)

HOUSE LIGHTS/RECPTACLES:

  1. Condition (broken glass, exposed receptacles weather proofed and GFCI protected.
  2. Outlets near a concrete floor should be GFCI protected.

AIR CONDITIONER:

  1. Know the age
  2. Condition ( operable, outside unit clear of debris, leaves, trash)

SWIMMING POOL (ABOVE GROUND):

  1. Type
  2. Condition (operable, no standing / stagnant water)
  3. Properly wired (electric outlet for the filter must be grounded circuit with a GFI receptacle enclosed in a weather-proof box)
  4. Proper drain provision
  5. Proper safety (fence, gate, removable or lockable ladder)
  6. Pool must be 6 ft from ALL property lines

INTERIOR

LIVING ROOM, DINING ROOM, BEDROOMS:

  1. Measurements (square feet)
  2. All windows operable and frames in good condition
  3. Flooring cover (carpeting, hard wood, linoleum)
  4. All outlets have plate covers
  5. Cracks along ceiling or walls
  6. Any visible water damage, ceiling or walls

KITCHEN:

  1. Measurements (square feet)
  2. Grounded receptacle by the sink (GFI outlets)
  3. Exhaust fan operable ( if one is installed)
  4. Disposal operable ( if one is installed)
  5. Any water leakage under the sink
  6. Floor covering ( linoleum, carpet, tile)
  7. Items 2 through 7 under Living Room also apply to Kitchen

HALLWAY:

  1. Operable smoke detector must be placed on the ceiling near the bedrooms

FAMILY ROOM:

  1. Any additional heating components (gas- must be inspected by Laclede Gas, wood burning must be properly flued / vented

BATHROOM:

  1. Wash basin, tub/shower, sink (water damage due to leakage)
  2. Toilet ( signs of water damage) Will flush to verify
  3. Grounded receptacle by the sink with GFI outlet
  4. Floor covering (tile, linoleum, carpet)
  5. Walls (drywall, tile)

SMOKE DETECTORS:

  1. Should be inside every bedroom near the door.
  2. Should be outside each bedroom
  3. Should be on each level of the home
  4. Should be at the top of the basement stairs.

CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS:

  1. Should be on each level of the home

BASEMENT:

  1. Any cracks in the walls, water damage due to leakage
  2. Floor drain required
  3. Water heater( Approximate age, safety valve, overflow, properly vented
  4. Smoke detector required at bottom of basement stairwell.
  5. Handrail must be attached on basement stairs

ELECTRICAL MAIN FUSE BOX:

  1. List amps of input service (100/200 amps)
  2. Fuses or breakers
  3. Are any additional outlet boxes attached
  4. All wiring must be terminated in junction boxes and properly covered
  5. All wiring must be secured to walls/ ceiling
  6. Wiring should be properly sized
  7. Housing grounding (verify connection to pipe)

STAIRS:

  1. Basement and deck stairs should be childproofed with no openings greater than 4 inches

FURNACE:

  1. List type of pipe, clean out capabilities.
  2. Auxiliary and space heaters must be inspected/approved by Laclede Gas.

FINISHED AREAS:

  1. If water is provided for a sink, verify that connections are proper and must have a "P" trap and not straight drop to main pipelines.