Neighborhood Services

What is a Code violation?
Nuisances and eyesores can devalue, detract and degrade the quality of any neighborhood. Some examples of a code violation are:

• weeds which are more than 12 inches in height, including the easement areas of the lot
• the storage of any building material, equipment, tires, auto parts, and personal items which are not behind a 100% solid wall and are in public view
• non-running, unregistered or unlicensed vehicles
• erecting, replacing, or installing a new fence without first obtaining a zoning permit
• more than four (4) adult dogs on a lot
• horses, cows, goats, sheep, roosters, swine and rodents are prohibited in residential areas
• RV, boat, or trailer parked in front yard
• installing a shed that is 144 sq. ft. or less without a zoning permit 
• no address on building
• parking, storing, or staging of vehicles or items on vacant lot
• commercial dumpster in a residential area without a building permit
• peddling or soliciting without a business license

What is NOT a Code Violation?
It is important to distinguish the difference between a real code violation and non-violation. Some examples of what is not a violation are:

• ugly or unattractive automobiles, trucks, recreational vehicles, or boats are not a code violation unless they are inoperable (i.e. missing major components, tires, wheels, engines, etc) and/or are parked in the front yard
• natural grasses on vacant lots which have never been disturbed or do not exceed 12 inches in height
• social nuisances such as large, noisy gatherings and noisy activities unless they occur before 7AM or after 10PM. Noise complaints should be reported to the Prescott Valley Police Department at 928-772-9267
• pools which are enclosed with a 5 foot high fence with a self-closing gate and fenced separately from the yard
• households are limited to 3 garage sales in a 12 month period
• tree branches encroaching property lines

• Never allow young children to be left alone in and around the pool for a moment. Make sure an adult is always present.
• Never prop open the gate to a pool barrier.
• Don't allow children to play in the pool/spa area unsupervised/unattended.
• Don't rely on swimming lessons, life preservers, or any other equipment to make a child "water safe."
• The area adjacent to the outside of the fence must be free of objects which may aid children in climbing over the fence. These include items such as chairs, tables, tree branches, etc.

The Town of Prescott Valley wishes to remind citizens that all swimming pools must meet the minimum Town Code requirements regarding swimming pool safety. Below are some facts and guidelines:

• The Town of Prescott Valley Zoning Ordinance defines a swimming pool as a body of water that contains water eighteen (18) inches or more in depth at any point and that is wider than eight (8) feet at any point and is intended for swimming.
• A permit is required for construction of a swimming pool. Swimming pools must be located in the side or rear yard of a property. There shall be a minimum distance of at least 10 feet between any property line and the water's edge. The wall, fence, or barrier around the pool shall be at least 20 inches from the water's edge.
• Town Code, Section 13-21-100 requires that all swimming pools be enclosed by a solid wall or fence not less than five (5) feet in height and shall be constructed to make the swimming pool inaccessible to small children; said fence shall have a self closing and latching gate with a latch that is at least fifty four (54) inches above the ground, and all gates shall open outward from the pool. Additionally, there must be a fence between the home and the pool, or you must install self-closing doors and windows along the pool side of your home.
• The wall, fence, or barrier around the pool shall not contain openings, handholds, or footholds accessible from the exterior side of the enclosure that can be used to climb the wall, fence, or barrier.
• The wall, fence, or barrier must be constructed of materials that prevent easy access to the pool area such as: wire-woven mesh or chain link with a maximum opening size of 1 3/4 inches; masonry, woof, wrought iron with intermediate rails spaced to prevent a 4 inch sphere from passing through.
• Barriers such as self closing doors and windows may be used for separation from the house to the pool area if the yard area is fenced to prevent outside entry per Town Code.
• Other barriers such as motorized safety pool covers or above ground pools with locking or removable ladders are not an acceptable form of barrier.

Other bodies of water such as jacuzzis or spas (that are less than eight (8) feet in width), fish ponds, fountains, or ditches do not have to be fenced if they are not used for swimming, are not wider than eight (8) feet at any point, and are less than 18 inches deep.

On occasion, a property owner may not realize they are responsible for mitigation of the rear easement of the property. In certain areas of Town there are easements at the rear of the property that are typically 12’ - which means the property owner would be responsible for 6’ and the rear neighbors for the other 6’.

Town code specific to weed mitigation: 

9-04-020     Owner, Lessee or Occupant to Maintain Property. A. The owner, lessee or occupant of any property shall at all times remove rubbish (including other accumulations of filth, related debris, and dilapidated buildings) that constitute a hazard to public health and safety from said property, maintain said property in a clean and safe condition, and otherwise avoid keeping or maintaining any nuisance thereon. These requirements also apply to appurtenant, adjacent or contiguous sidewalks, alleys and portions of streets that are not hard-surfaced for PRESCOTT VALLEY 9 - 9 vehicular traffic. B. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the owner, lessee or occupant of any property shall have the following specific obligations and responsibilities on the property and appurtenant, adjacent or contiguous sidewalks, alleys and portions of streets that are not hard-surfaced for vehicular traffic: 

1. To control weeds and yard waste thereon and otherwise maintain said areas free of dry bushes, trees, tumbleweeds, weeds or other dry vegetation that create a visual blight upon the neighborhood, harbor insect or rodent infestations, become a fire hazard, or otherwise threaten the health, safety or economic welfare of adjacent property owners or occupants. In so doing, the owner, lessee or occupant shall not allow grass or weeds to exceed twelve (12) inches in height and shall otherwise maintain the property in a manner that prevents weeds or yard waste from being carried or deposited by the elements upon any public place.

2. To keep ditches or similar watercourses that are part of the storm drainage system clean and free of rubbish (expressly including vegetation, yard waste, and debris) that would obstruct the easy and natural flow of water therein. (This is typically in reference to the right of way in front of the property). 

These are definitions to “Public Place” and “Property” which explain the areas of responsibility:

F. "Public place" means any and all streets, sidewalks, boulevards, alleys or other public ways, and any and all public parks, squares, spaces, grounds and buildings. 

G. "Property" includes grounds, lots and tracts of land on which premises are located.

A permit is not required to conduct a yard sale. 

Town Code allows three (3) Yard Sales in a calendar year as defined in Section 9-04-010.C.2:

• One (1) yard sale during the period between January 1st - April 30th
• One (1) yard sale during the period from May 1st - August 31st 
• One (1) yard sale during the period from September 1st - December 31st

Personal property may be offered for sale over a period no longer than three (3) consecutive calendar days. 

Town Code provides for a maximum of four (4) signs off-site per yard sale (maximum three {3} days during daylight hours). Signs shall be no greater than six (6) square feet and shall be placed no higher than six (6) feet in height above grade.  Town Code specifically prohibits illuminated signs; no signs within public right-of-ways or attached to trees, fences, utility poles, light posts, street signs or other public facilities. 

No person shall maintain or permit to be maintained on any premises any sign which is in a dangerous or defective condition. Any such sign shall be promptly removed or repaired by the owner of the sign or the owner of the premises. For the signs described whose ownership cannot be identified, the Zoning Inspector shall immediately, without notice, remove any such sign except as otherwise provided herein.

If residents are found to be in violation of provisions regarding yard sales, the following may occur:

• A civil citation may be issued that typically is subject to fines that range from $100 to $2500