New Center North Neighbors

What is the Department of Administrative Hearing?

Jul 27, 2005

The Department of Administrative Hearings was established on January 1, 2005. It is an independent department of City government. The department is a quasi-judicial body that handles blight violations

Property maintenance, zoning, and illegal and solid waste ordinances are now within the jurisdiction of this department. Previously, these type of cases were heard in the 36th District Court.

The department hears about 300 cases per day, five days a week. Through early June over 5,700 case had been heard.

The department is administered by a director, who also serves as the chief hearing officer and administrative staff. The department is divided into the Property Maintenance Division, the Zoning Division and the illegal Dumping/Solid Waste Division. Each division hears certain types of blight violations.

The Property Maintenance Division hears cases filed by the Building Safety Engineering Department. In these cases, Blight Violation Notices are issued by building and health inspectors and by police officers. Violations in these cases include, but are not limited to - Failure to obtain certificates of compliance; Failure to register a rental property; Rat infestation or problems with rodents; Inoperable vehicles; Failure to maintain exterior of property
Failure to comply with emergency orders

The Zoning Division hears cases filed by the Buildings & Safety Engineering Department. In these cases Blight Violation Notices are issued by building inspectors. Violations in these cases include, but are not limited to -
Violations of special land use grants; Change of land use without a permit; Change of building use without a permit; Failure to obtain the required certificate of maintenance of grant conditions.

The Illegal Dumping and Solid Waste Division hears cases filed by Department of Environmental Affairs. Blight Violation Notices in these cases are issued by health and environmental inspectors, police officers, and Neighborhood City Hall managers. Violations in these cases include, but are not limited to - Early bulk refuse places at the curb; Early of late placement of Courville (residential garbage) containers at the curb; Improper storage of solid waste; Animal and fowl excrement violations
Illegal dumping