Spring Break
Know ordinances in Athens-Clarke County
ZACK TAYLOR
Issue date: 11/5/09 Section: Athens Living
Students wishing to leave campus housing after their first year at the University, and find a residence off campus should remember that with this newfound freedom are new responsibilities.
One of these responsibilities includes becoming familiar with Athens-Clarke County living ordinances.
"The front yard parking ordinance is an ordinance that is somewhat unique to this community," said John Spagna, division administrator for the Community Protection Division for Athens-Clarke County. "If you live in a rental house or apartment where there is a front yard, we do not allow people to park on the grass - you must park in your driveway or use street parking."
Spagna said code officers often patrol for violations. He said the first time a code officer comes across a resident who has violated an ordinance, the resident will receive a notice. The second time, the resident is cited and will have to appear in court.
"They would have to explain to the judge why they couldn't follow a rule as simple as, say, not parking on the grass," Spagna said.
Though living ordinances may seem unnecessary to some students, Spagna said they are not only there to ensure the safety of the community but to uphold the rights of the renter.
"As a renter you have rights," he said. "The right to a working sink, a working faucet, etcetera."
He said it is the job of the Community Protection Division to make sure that these rights are upheld.
"If you don't feel like the property owners are going to come out and fix it in a day or too, put it in writing," Spagna said.
With the request in writing, renters may then contact the Community Protection Division and they will ensure the property owners comply with the requests.
"Were going to tell the property owner you need to fix it," he said. "We will give them 30 days to fix it."
One of these responsibilities includes becoming familiar with Athens-Clarke County living ordinances.
"The front yard parking ordinance is an ordinance that is somewhat unique to this community," said John Spagna, division administrator for the Community Protection Division for Athens-Clarke County. "If you live in a rental house or apartment where there is a front yard, we do not allow people to park on the grass - you must park in your driveway or use street parking."
Spagna said code officers often patrol for violations. He said the first time a code officer comes across a resident who has violated an ordinance, the resident will receive a notice. The second time, the resident is cited and will have to appear in court.
"They would have to explain to the judge why they couldn't follow a rule as simple as, say, not parking on the grass," Spagna said.
Though living ordinances may seem unnecessary to some students, Spagna said they are not only there to ensure the safety of the community but to uphold the rights of the renter.
"As a renter you have rights," he said. "The right to a working sink, a working faucet, etcetera."
He said it is the job of the Community Protection Division to make sure that these rights are upheld.
"If you don't feel like the property owners are going to come out and fix it in a day or too, put it in writing," Spagna said.
With the request in writing, renters may then contact the Community Protection Division and they will ensure the property owners comply with the requests.
"Were going to tell the property owner you need to fix it," he said. "We will give them 30 days to fix it."
