What is the purpose of an administrative hearing in code enforcement?

An administrative hearing in code enforcement primarily serves to provide a structured environment where property owners can present their case regarding alleged violations of code regulations. This process ensures that property owners have the opportunity to defend themselves against claims and to present any evidence or arguments they feel are pertinent to their situation.

The administrative hearing is a critical step in ensuring due process, as it allows individuals to voice their perspectives, submit documentation, and challenge the findings of code enforcement officers. This promotes fairness in the enforcement process, giving property owners a chance to clarify misunderstandings or mitigate penalties that may arise from code violations.

The other options, while related to code enforcement, do not accurately capture the main purpose of an administrative hearing. The process is not designed primarily for penalizing property owners, gathering community input, or finalizing code changes. Instead, it focuses specifically on adjudicating individual cases based on the existing code.