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1. Why are there property maintenance codes and requirements?

Maintaining your property according to standards will do several things for you. Most importantly, it will eliminate safety and health hazards on your property that may affect you, your neighbors, and others, especially young children, which may walk past or wander onto your property.

Additionally, it will create an aesthetically pleasing neighborhood, promote good neighbor policies, show pride in ownership, and more importantly, may very well increase your property’s value. Clean and properly maintained neighborhoods have also shown to reduce crime and criminal intent in a community.

2. What does it cost to have someone from the property maintenance office come and inspect my property?

There is no charge to come and inspect your property. If you are a renter and feel your rental has some safety or health concerns, we encourage you to contact your landlord first and discuss the matter with them. If your landlord does not address the issue in a timely manner, or fails to respond, contact our office and we will discuss your options. 

3. I live just outside the Spearfish city limits, do I still need to comply with the property maintenance requirements?

Yes. Both Spearfish and Lawrence County have adopted the International Property Maintenance Code. Additionally, both entities have entered into a contract referred to as the Joint Powers Agreement. This contract provides the authority to regulate and enforce certain Spearfish city codes and ordinances within a prescribed area of Lawrence County contiguous to the city limits. 

Review a map of the covered area (JPG).

The following adopted Spearfish city codes and ordinances are included in this agreement:

• Building, Electrical, and Plumbing Contractor Licensing
• Flood Prevention and Protection
• International Building Code
• International Fire Code
• International Mechanical Code
• International Property Maintenance Code
• International Residential Code
• Variance Requests

4. What can I do to help?

The best thing you can do is be concerned about the welfare and appearance of your street and neighborhood; then take action:

• Arrange for Code Enforcement staff to speak at your neighborhood gathering
• Become active in your neighborhood homeowners association
• Call to report realtors who advertise properties in your neighborhood with code violations
• Encourage neighbors and surrounding businesses to maintain their property
• Encourage your children to care about a clean neighborhood
• Make sure your property is free from code violations
• Organize a block or alley clean up
• Remove temporary signs from utility poles
• Report illegal dumping immediately
• Return a stray shopping cart to the store
• Volunteer to organize a clean-up in your neighborhood