The Property Maintenance Ordinance (PMO) is a proposed guiding document that seeks to establish minimum maintenance standards for all residential and nonresidential buildings, structures and vacant and improved lands throughout the City of Surprise. 

The purpose of this ordinance is to promote the health, safety, and welfare of city residents and to protect neighborhoods against hazardous blighting and deteriorating influences, or conditions that contribute to the downgrading of neighborhood property values.

The proposed PMO will replace the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) adopted by Council in 2007, and it will become part of the Surprise Municipal Code upon adoption. The limitation of the IPMC is that it is published by the International Code Council and therefore it is cost-prohibitive for the City to obtain the copyright license to publish it. By adopting our own ordinance, we can provide greater public access to the PMO, including posting it online. 

Additionally, the proposed PMO includes:

• Removal of redundant language and unnecessary definitions
• Addition of new definitions
• Clarified Notice of Violation and citation processes
• Clarified abatement and lien processes
• Addition of Inspection Warrant process

Learn more about the City’s proposed PMO:

View the draft Property Maintenance Ordinance
Narrated Property Maintenance Ordinance Presentation
View the March 2, 2021, Property Maintenance Ordinance Work Session Presentation

A presentation and vote to adopt the PMO is tentatively scheduled for the second Regular City Council Meeting in June 15, 2021. If adopted, the ordinance will be effective July 15, 2021.

Public Meetings

Two virtual public meetings have been scheduled to encourage residents and business owners to learn more about the ordinance and ask questions.

Tuesday, March 30, 4 p.m. Webex Meeting

Join Meeting: https://surpriseaz.webex.com/surpriseaz/j.php?MTID=m6f8a2b829c678ceb168f0e78d35074f7

Join by phone:

• United States Toll - 1.408.418.9388
  United States Toll (Phoenix) – 1.602.666.0783
• Access code: 187-017-1881

Tuesday, April 13, 6 p.m. In-person Meeting or Webex

City Hall - 1^st floor Community Room
16000 N. Civic Center Plaza

Join by Webex: https://surpriseaz.webex.com/surpriseaz/j.php?MTID=m470c4bb3919686f8dd7764dfe9ac0b79

Join by phone:

• United States Toll - 1.408.418.9388
  United States Toll (Phoenix) – 1.602.666.0783
• Access code: 187-291-5578

Public Comment

The public is invited to comment on the draft Property Maintenance Ordinance during the 60-day comment period. Public comments will be open beginning Wednesday, March 3 and will close on Sunday, May 2, 2021. 

Comment on the draft Property Maintenance Ordinance

Questions

For questions or more information related to the PMO, please contact:

Tiffany Copp, Assistant Director of Community Development 
tiffany.copp@surprisez.gov
623.222.3020