A zealous code enforcement officer has a DeKalb County subdivision in an uproar after handing out more than 100 warnings against homeowners for weathered paint.
The notices told the residents of the Marbut Commons subdivision to paint their houses or face fines of up to $1,000 and 60 days in jail.
Homeowners told Channel 2 Action News they've been more worried these days about keeping current on their mortgage payments.
“It wasn't in bad shape at all. I was surprised that we got a code violation,” said Mark Martin, who added that he nonetheless got his house painted after receiving the code violation warning. He said he couldn’t afford a $1,000 fine.
“There's no way. I'm disabled. I don’t work,” Martin said.
Another homeowner, Tanya Mathis, contends her house isn’t in bad shape. When she received her citation, she said, “I went ape. Because it was like, how dare you?”
“I believe we’ve been targeted,” Mathis said.
County officials said a neighbor complained to code enforcement about his neighbor's weathered paint. A code officer came out, noticed other homes with weathered paint, and started writing warnings. Residents said 120 homes were cited.
Linda Ayers, who was cited for the condition of the paint on the front and side of her house, said, “You have a choice between paying your mortgage or fixing your home so you won't get the citation and have to pay $1,000.”
District 5 County Commissioner Lee May heard about the controversy and intervened. He asked the county to hold off enforcement for now and plans to meet with residents Saturday to see what can be done to make sure their homes are up to code and no one faces fines or jail time.
About the Author
