§ 6-297. Complaints.

Any citizen who has knowledge of a violation of this article or any other county ordinance may file a notarized affidavit of complaint using the form provided by the department of growth management. The affidavit can be mailed, faxed, or hand delivered to the department of growth management.

Complaints from citizens or a legitimate business shall be investigated upon notice in a form that includes legible name, signature, address or any other means where the complainant is identifiable. This is in lieu of the required notarized affidavit.

Investigations should be as a result of an identifiable complainant as prescribed above. Aesthetics alone shall not be a case where county officials shall act/enforce upon private property without a complaint. The county shall enforce violations in cases where health and safety are issues. The county shall provide the respondent with a copy of the alleged complaint.

Upon receipt of a complaint from an interested party, or as a result of an investigation by a code enforcement officer, each Okaloosa County competency board may conduct hearings on the question of whether a certificate of competency holder shall be disciplined. Three valid consumer complaints or three violations of county ordinances related to contracting within a 12-month period shall constitute grounds for a mandatory board hearing.

Any person, firm, corporation, or other business entity that violates any provision of this article shall be prosecuted and punished as provided by code.

(Ord. No. 07-32, § 2(Exh. A), 6-19-07)