MOUNT HEALTHY — Officials here are preparing for a systematic sweep of the city to identify and correct property maintenance code violations.

        “We've had some complaints about the condition of our community, how some people let their properties deteriorate,” said Safety Service Director Jim Koshmider.

        These complaints, he said, recently prompted city council to pass an ordinance that tightens the property maintenance code language so there will be no confusion over compliance. Fines could run up to $100 per day for each day the offense occurs.

        “People have been throwing tarps over cars without tags and calling that a structure — and that doesn't cut it,” Mr. Koshmider said.

        The majority of complaints, Mr. Koshmider said, come about when a house becomes neglected while tied up in probate, and it is difficult to locate and contact the executors.

        “We can file a lien against the property,” he said, but “it's time consuming and it's expensive and we don't think that we should have to do it. But every other taxpayer in town is expecting equal treatment.”

        The revised code goes into effect Oct. 17.

        In the meantime, officials are preparing a plan of action, with one building inspector assigned solely to code violations, said Ted Mack, chief of the Building Department. The city will be divided into four quadrants, with inspections to begin before the end of the year.

        “We intend to enforce it to the full extent,” Mr. Mack said.

        Mr. Koshmider said property owners first will receive a courtesy notice, then a formal notice. If those are ignored, steps will be taken to bring the property into compliance.

        “In most cases our experience has been that when people are notified they will take care of the problems,” he said.

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