Ocean Springs News
City Offers Assistance for Katrina-Damaged Property
Ocean Springs, MS – The City of Ocean Springs is asking property owners who have difficulties in cleaning Katrina-damaged property and/or structures, to call the city’s Building Department for assistance in meeting the current ordinance in making their properties compliant.
“We recognized that it has been more than three years since the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and we want to assist property owners, in constructive ways, who are still dealing with its aftermath. It is also important that we continue to maintain the city’s ordinance establishing clean, safe neighborhoods,” said Terry Agar, Building Official with the City of Ocean Springs.
Ordinance No. 10-1987 requires that poperty be kept in a clean state and prohibits the accumulation of weeds, litter, refuse, junk, abandoned motor vehicles, abandoned equipment, abandoned house appliances or similar items. Violation of the ordinance constitutes a misdemeanor. The Building Department will contact the property owner in person and by letter, with a timeline for cleaning up the property.
If the property owner is not compliant upon notification, the City may, following a hearing, proceed to clean the property itself or by contract. The City may then adjudicate by resolution the actual cost of cleaning the property and may add a penalty of $1,500 or 50% of the cost of clean-up, whichever is more. The cost can be collected as a civil debt or enrolled as a lien with the circuit clerk and the land sold as if for delinquent taxes.
“We do not like to get to the point where we must use civil and criminal proceedings to have a property compliant with the ordinance; however, the ordinance exists to protect the entire city and property values in neighborhoods,” explained Mr. Agar.
For citizens who may not have the physical or financial means to clean-up their properties, Mr. Agar will connect them with local charities and non-profits that can assist them. For additional information, contact the City of Ocean Springs Building Department at 228-875-6712.
