The Code Enforcement Officer is a civilian position that assists sworn law enforcement personnel in community policing activities and acts as a community relations outreach for City services. The Code Enforcement Officer takes care of several different jobs that assists the Patrol Officer. This allows the Patrol Officer on duty to better protect the citizens of the community and allow more time and resources to be devoted to higher priority calls for service.

The Code Enforcement Officer is responsible for neighborhood preservation, code compliance and nuisance abatement.  The City accomplishes this through public education about codes and nuisances, emphasis on voluntary compliance before enforcement, conflict resolution, resource referral, and ultimately court-ordered abatement.  Code compliance also indirectly serves as a detection mechanism for social problems that may be present at a given property.  The Code Enforcement Officer coordinates and centralizes compliance and enforcement activities that cut across several departments such as building, planning, storm, sewer, streets, police and fire.  This division also currently administers the parking enforcement program in the Canby area.

Departmental Goals

• Resolve neighborhood conflicts that arise as a result of code violations, property  maintenance problems and other livability conflicts.
• Improve and sustain the consistency, efficacy, and quality of code compliance  and enforcement service throughout the City of Canby.
• Reduce perennial types of violations.
• Increase awareness of neighborhood livability and property maintenance  standards.
• Continue to use code compliance function as an early detection or prevention  mechanism for other problems that may be present in the neighborhood.

Code Compliance Services/Functions

• The patrol, inspection and monitoring of parking.
• Response to complaints about nuisances and code violations such as property and housing conditions, land use activities, noise or vehicle storage, which may include field investigations.
• Mediation between parties who have code-related disputes.
• Education related to code enforcement issues.
• Coordination of city departments involved in code related issues including the police, planning, building, public works, other related city departments, the prosecuting attorney, and other staff or agencies.
• Legal review, documentation and court functions involving code related issues.

Below are some examples of calls for service that the Code Enforcement Officer handles to assist Patrol Officers.

·        Abandoned Vehicles

·        Animal Problems

·        Noise Complaints

·        Fix-it tickets

·        Neighborhood Problems

·        Parking Violations

·        Vacation Checks

·        Sign Violations

·        Noxious weeds and debris

The Code Enforcement Officer also assists with running errands, vehicle maintenance and many other duties to enhance the patrol services. The Code Enforcement Officer for Canby is Officer Kari Innes. She may be reached at InnesK@ci.canby.or.us

If you are planning on leaving for vacation soon, and would like us to have your information on file in case something happens to your home while you are gone, please complete the Vacation From and return to the Canby Police Department during regular business hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the nuisance ordinance apply to my private property?
Yes. See chapter 8.12 of the Municipal Code.

What is a nuisance according to the City of Canby’s Municipal Code?
A nuisance is “…any annoying, unpleasant or obnoxious condition or practice causing or capable of causing an unreasonable threat to the public health, safety and welfare in the circumstances…”, according to the Municipal Code. See section 8.12.030 of the Municipal Code for more specific nuisance information.

What constitutes noxious weeds or vegetation?
Weeds or vegetation that becomes unsightly, a fire hazard, or maturing and going to seed.

How long can I store personal property on a publicly owned area?
There is a 24-hour maximum time limit for storage on public property. After that time, the item(s) may be ticketed and eventually towed from the location.

Are there standards for storage on private property?
If an item is stored on private property, no part of the item may obstruct the public sidewalk blocking any portion of pedestrian passage. These items must also be parked on an approved surface and are not allowed on grass or exposed soil.

What do I do if I have an animal complaint?
The City of Canby does not handle animal complaints. Clackamas County Animal Control provides this service for Canby for domestic animals. You can contact them at 503-655-8628 or at their website.

For wildlife complaints, contact Fish and Wildlife at 503-657-2000 and for wild birds call the Portland Audubon Wildlife Care Center at 503-292-0304.

Who do I call regarding noise complaints?
The City’s Police Department handles noise complaints for Canby.

What types of signs can I have for advertising a garage sale and where can I place them?
A sign permit is not required for garage sales signs provided that these rules are followed:

• Place signs on a wooden support stake
• Signs cannot be displayed or attached to any public utility or traffic pole
• Signs cannot be placed on private property without the permission of the property owner
• A maximum of four signs can be displayed for any sale
• Maximum sign face area cannot exceed three square feet
• Signs cannot be displayed for more than 72 hours and must be removed at the end of the final day of the sale
• Only one garage sale at a single location is permitted every three months

Violation of these conditions will result in immediate removal of the signs and could result in a citation to appear in municipal court.

Last updated on July 2, 2004

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