F.A.C.E Fundamentals of Code
Enforcement Level I| Terms| Updated
2025/2026
**Abatement**
The process of eliminating or correcting a code violation, often by repairing, removing, or
securing a hazardous or illegal condition.
**Notice of Violation (NOV)**
A formal document issued to a property owner informing them of a code violation and
providing a specified timeframe for corrective action.
**Stop Work Order**
An official notice that halts construction or other activities due to non-compliance with codes
or unsafe conditions.
**Zoning Ordinance**
Local laws regulating land use, specifying what types of buildings and activities are
permitted in certain areas.
**Building Code**
1
, A set of rules governing the design, construction, and materials used in buildings to ensure
safety, health, and welfare standards.
**Certificate of Occupancy (CO)**
A document issued by a local authority certifying that a building meets all necessary codes
and is safe for occupancy.
**Variance**
A legal exception to zoning requirements, allowing a property owner to use their land in a
way that is normally not permitted.
**Due Process**
A constitutional guarantee that ensures fair treatment through the proper notice and the
opportunity to contest violations in a court of law.
**Public Nuisance**
An activity or condition that interferes with the rights of the public, including health, safety,
and comfort, and is usually subject to code enforcement action.
**Lien**
A legal claim placed on a property by a government entity due to unpaid fines or fees related
to code violations or abatement costs.
2
,**Appeal**
A formal request for a review of a violation or enforcement decision, typically by a board or
court, providing due process.
**Property Maintenance Code**
A set of regulations requiring property owners to keep buildings, yards, and other structures
in good condition to prevent blight.
**GIS (Geographic Information System)**
A system that captures, stores, and displays geographical data, aiding code enforcement by
mapping violations and properties.
**Blight**
Visible deterioration or decay of property, structures, or land that can lead to safety issues
and reduce neighborhood quality.
**Occupancy Limit**
The maximum number of people allowed in a building or space to prevent overcrowding and
ensure safety.
**Fire Code**
Regulations intended to prevent fires and protect individuals from fire hazards, often
including requirements for exits, alarms, and sprinklers.
3
, **Code Enforcement Officer (CEO)**
A professional responsible for inspecting properties, enforcing local codes, and ensuring
compliance with regulations.
**Inspection**
A systematic review or assessment of a property to determine if it complies with relevant
codes and ordinances.
**Hazardous Condition**
Any situation or structure posing a potential danger to public health, safety, or welfare, often
requiring immediate attention.
**Legal Non-Conforming Use**
A use of property that was legally established under former zoning laws but no longer
complies with current zoning ordinances.
**Ordinance**
A law or regulation enacted by a local government governing behaviors, construction,
zoning, and other activities within its jurisdiction.
**Code Compliance**
4
Enforcement Level I| Terms| Updated
2025/2026
**Abatement**
The process of eliminating or correcting a code violation, often by repairing, removing, or
securing a hazardous or illegal condition.
**Notice of Violation (NOV)**
A formal document issued to a property owner informing them of a code violation and
providing a specified timeframe for corrective action.
**Stop Work Order**
An official notice that halts construction or other activities due to non-compliance with codes
or unsafe conditions.
**Zoning Ordinance**
Local laws regulating land use, specifying what types of buildings and activities are
permitted in certain areas.
**Building Code**
1
, A set of rules governing the design, construction, and materials used in buildings to ensure
safety, health, and welfare standards.
**Certificate of Occupancy (CO)**
A document issued by a local authority certifying that a building meets all necessary codes
and is safe for occupancy.
**Variance**
A legal exception to zoning requirements, allowing a property owner to use their land in a
way that is normally not permitted.
**Due Process**
A constitutional guarantee that ensures fair treatment through the proper notice and the
opportunity to contest violations in a court of law.
**Public Nuisance**
An activity or condition that interferes with the rights of the public, including health, safety,
and comfort, and is usually subject to code enforcement action.
**Lien**
A legal claim placed on a property by a government entity due to unpaid fines or fees related
to code violations or abatement costs.
2
,**Appeal**
A formal request for a review of a violation or enforcement decision, typically by a board or
court, providing due process.
**Property Maintenance Code**
A set of regulations requiring property owners to keep buildings, yards, and other structures
in good condition to prevent blight.
**GIS (Geographic Information System)**
A system that captures, stores, and displays geographical data, aiding code enforcement by
mapping violations and properties.
**Blight**
Visible deterioration or decay of property, structures, or land that can lead to safety issues
and reduce neighborhood quality.
**Occupancy Limit**
The maximum number of people allowed in a building or space to prevent overcrowding and
ensure safety.
**Fire Code**
Regulations intended to prevent fires and protect individuals from fire hazards, often
including requirements for exits, alarms, and sprinklers.
3
, **Code Enforcement Officer (CEO)**
A professional responsible for inspecting properties, enforcing local codes, and ensuring
compliance with regulations.
**Inspection**
A systematic review or assessment of a property to determine if it complies with relevant
codes and ordinances.
**Hazardous Condition**
Any situation or structure posing a potential danger to public health, safety, or welfare, often
requiring immediate attention.
**Legal Non-Conforming Use**
A use of property that was legally established under former zoning laws but no longer
complies with current zoning ordinances.
**Ordinance**
A law or regulation enacted by a local government governing behaviors, construction,
zoning, and other activities within its jurisdiction.
**Code Compliance**
4
