Nuisance & Property Maintenance
The City of Rolla is a great place to live because the residents take pride in their homes and neighborhoods. To keep Rolla looking great, the City has adopted ordinances regulating property maintenance in both residential and commercial areas. The Community Development Department is responsible for responding to complaints and regularly patrols the City to identify violations. To report a violation, you may phone (573) 364-5333 or complete the online complaint form below.
File an online complaint
The Code Enforcement Process
Whenever a violation is identified, the owner/resident will be notified of the violation and given an opportunity to correct it. This will be done by posting a notice on the property and mailing a copy to the owner or by simply presenting the owner with a notice in person.
The allowable amount of time given to make corrections varies depending on the type of violation. High grass, weeds or trash and rubbish piled on the right-of-way will be given 5 days to correct the problem(s). Other violations will generally be given 14 days to make the necessary corrections. In some instances, owners have been given up to 30 days to correct violations of a more extensive nature. Property maintenance violations that create immediate health, safety or danger to the general welfare of the tenants will result in the property being condemned and occupancy of the structure will not be allowed until the required corrections have been made.
If the violations are not corrected within the timeframe given, the City may abate the violation and place a special tax lien on the property. The total amount of the lien shall include the cost of the abatement, an administrative fee (generally $100) and all filing fees incurred. In some instances, a summons to appear in court will be issued. Violators may be subject to a fine of not more than $500.00, or by imprisonment not exceeding 90 days; or both such fine and imprisonment. Each day that a violation continues after due notice has been served shall be deemed a separate offense.
Most Common Nuisance and Property Maintenance Violations
- Trash or rubbish deposited over property.
- Brush piled on property.
- Junked, abandoned or unlicensed vehicle parked on property.
- Old appliances remaining on property.
- Shrubs, hedges and limbs of trees projecting over a sidewalk or street at a height of less than ten (10) feet.
- Ponds or pools containing unclean water.
- Automobile parts, scrap iron, worn out machines, broken glass, old building materials, etc.
- Broken windows or unsecured entries into buildings.
- Manure, animal matter or excrement that might be offensive to the sight or smell or a menace to health, safety, peace or comfort of the public.
- Materials or items deposited which might become breeding places or which might harbor mosquitoes, ants, flies, rats, mice or other insects, animals or vermin.
- Substances or things that cause an odor disagreeable to the surrounding neighborhood.
- Unsafe structure, porch, deck, balcony, fence or accessory structure on property.
- Exterior surfaces of building with peeling, flaking and chipped paint requiring repainting.
- Electrical system hazards.
- High grass/weeds (exceeding 12” high)
Nuisance Regulations
For all Nuisance regulations, refer to Chapter 28 of the Rolla City Code.
Property Maintenance requirements may be found in the 2000 International Property Maintenance Code.
