In the spring of 2007, at the direction of City Council and City Manager, a Code Enforcement position was created as a duly appointed employee of the Prevention Division of the Fire Department. In April of 2007, our first code enforcement officer was hired with the second code enforcement officer coming on board in March of 2008. The two code enforcement officers are under the supervision of the Fire Chief. While the Code Enforcement Division is based in the Fire Department, the code enforcement officers work closely with members of other departments, including Public Works, Community Development, Parks and Leisure Services, Finance, and Police.

The Porterville City Council has adopted City Codes (laws) specifically designed to address blight, nuisances, and to maintain a clean environment for all citizens in our community. The duties of the Code Enforcement Officer shall include, but are not limited to, addressing quality of life issues and problems involving property maintenance by abating hazardous conditions which threaten the life, health, safety and welfare of the public. The code enforcement officers do this by working in partnership with the business and property owners in Porterville.

The code enforcement officer shall enforce the provisions of all applicable state and city codes including, but not limited to, City of Porterville Municipal Code, the California Health and Safety Code, Uniform Fire Code, Uniform Building Code, Uniform Housing Code, and Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings, as said codes may from time to time be amended. The code enforcement officer shall work with business and property owners as well as residents to obtain voluntary compliance. However, the code enforcement officer shall also have authority to issue Administrative Citations and pursue other legal remedies as necessary and as authorized by local or state law.

The mission of the Code Enforcement Division is to encourage and assist in gaining voluntary compliance with City laws and codes. We do this to promote and maintain a safe and desirable living and working environment. We help maintain and improve the quality of our community by administering a fair and unbiased enforcement program to correct violations of municipal and other codes as well as land use requirements. We also work with residents, neighborhood associations, public services agencies and other City departments. We believe that by doing so we can attract businesses looking for a desirable location to operate and people who want a clean and safe community to live in or raise their children.

To file a complaint please provide specific and detailed information, including exact location or address and a complete description of the violation. All information provided is kept confidential. You may call the Code Enforcement Division of the Porterville Fire Department with any questions at (559) 782-7526 weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.