What can trigger a code enforcement investigation aside from complaints?

A code enforcement investigation can be triggered by routine inspections or observed violations during patrols. This proactive approach allows code enforcement officers to identify issues that may not have been reported by residents. During these inspections, officers can observe conditions directly, such as unpermitted construction, property maintenance violations, or other infractions that can affect public health and safety. By taking the initiative to patrol and inspect, code enforcement officials play a critical role in maintaining community standards and ensuring compliance with local codes.

The other options, while they may involve community interaction or feedback, do not serve as systematic triggers for code enforcement investigations. Annual government reviews typically focus on broader evaluations rather than specific site inspections, resident feedback meetings are often more about communication without leading directly to enforcement actions, and community events and gatherings do not inherently involve code enforcement unless specific issues arise during them. Thus, the routine inspections and observations made during patrols represent a fundamental and essential part of code enforcement operations, ensuring that compliance is maintained even without specific complaints.