City of Arlington Code Compliance Department Receives 2022 International Code Council Community Service Award

By Carol Weemes, Code Compliance Services

Posted on September 16, 2022, September 16, 2022

Arlington’s Code Compliance is the recipient of the 2022 International Code Council (ICC) Community Service Award. Code Compliance Services Director Brian Daugherty attended the annual ICC conference held this year in Louisville, Kentucky on Sept. 13, 2022, to accept the prestigious award.

The ICC Community Service Award recognizes outstanding service that promotes public health, safety and welfare. Code Compliance in Arlington has new innovative programs that increase community engagement, provide essential services and build public trust while helping create and sustain healthier, safer and more beautiful neighborhoods.

Code Compliance’s newest initiative is its Tool Sharing Program available to Arlington residents for free use of tools and equipment to help with property cleanup and maintenance. As of July 31, 2022, a total of 285 door-step deliveries were completed, and tools used at seven community cleanup events, with a total of 989 individual tools utilized. Based on the types of tools checked out, 201 potential code violations were corrected.

The department’s Neighborhood Enhancement Team (NET) has a new expanded program serving the Arlington community that is gaining momentum. This initiative is focused on teamwork and building community partnerships. Since December 2019, Code Compliance partnered with 15 neighborhoods, encompassing all City Council districts, creating bonds with a base of volunteers, service organizations, and faith-based groups. Community cleanup events through NET have yielded 119.7 tons (239,400 pounds) of trash/debris removal. See the story map about this program here.

The NET and Tool Sharing Programs are thriving successes and each a win-win for property owners and the city. There are many other code compliance programs that make Arlington stronger and safer including the Graffiti Abatement Team that offers free graffiti removal with a signed waiver, the city’s apartment inspection program with workshops and interactive maps for the public displaying apartment scores, a Code Ranger program for volunteers, and more.

Code Compliance’s Dangerous and Substandard Structures (DSS) Team works citywide to identify substandard structures that pose a risk to public health and safety and bring these properties into compliance either by rehabilitation or removal. Visit the DSS story map here.

Education is key to the success of all the programs. Code Compliance provides an expanded educational effort with a comprehensive website that supports the City Council’s Priority to Leverage Technology, with informative Rapid Reference Guides for single-family, multi-family, and commercially zoned properties within a couple of clicks to the Unified Development Code and City Codes.

Arlington’s Code Compliance offers outstanding community service with multiple programs to help build public trust and achieve compliant properties, while making stronger, safer, and more beautiful neighborhoods to live, learn, work and play.

For more information about Code Compliance, visit arlingtontx.gov/codecompliance. Learn more about International Code Council here: https://www.iccsafe.org/.

About Code Compliance

Code Compliance in the City of Arlington, Texas is committed to proactively meeting the needs of the public through active engagement, inclusive participation and high quality, cost-effective service delivery. New innovative programs and essential services developed by Code Compliance are helping residents and benefitting the community by improving property maintenance and adherence to ordinances, while increasing the health, safety and quality of life in The American Dream City.

About International Code Council

The International Code Council is the leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions. Code Council codes, standards and solutions are used to ensure safe, affordable, and sustainable communities and buildings worldwide.