An open code violation is an issue on record with the municipality for existing violations, citations, or other enforcement matters pertaining to the property. Some of the most common violations include lot mowing, unsafe structures, property maintenance violations, animal service violations, and abandoned vehicles.
Because code violations are not yet recorded liens, they will not appear on title searches or in public record. If these property issues are not found and corrected, they may be subject to large fines with daily accrual, or the municipality may even have a lien placed on the property. It is imperative a search be done for any outstanding code issues on a property to avoid these situations and to ensure the buyer takes free-and-clear ownership to the property.