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Appeal Process
Appeal Process
The City of Storm Lake provides for two separate opportunities to appeal various parts of the rental inspection process (each appeal is specific to a certain part of the process).
Deficiency Appeal - the City allows property owners to appeal the findings of the inspectors and the violations found.
Abatement Appeal - the City allows property owners to appeal the cost of the abatement if the repairs are made by the City and assessed to the property owner.
Specifics on each of the appeal processes is explained below.
Deficiency Appeal
Property owners have the option of appealing the findings of the inspection provided they file their appeal within five (5) days of the receipt of the inspection.
In order to file an appeal of a found deficiency the property owner must file in writing the appeal and delivered to the City Clerk of the City of Storm Lake, P.O. Box 1086, Storm Lake, Iowa 50588 (appeals may also be dropped off at City Hall at 620 Erie Street). The appeal must include the following items:
The property owner should note that the appeal can only be filed if they believe the violation(s) that were found are not existent. Appeals for this type can not be filed because the property owner can't afford or doesn't want to do the repairs.
Appeals for deficiencies will be heard by an appeal board consisting of City staff which will NOT include the inspector. Appeals will be heard within 3-8 business days following the filing of the appeal to provide adequate time for repairs to be made in the event the appeal does NOT result in an change of the inspection findings.
Assessment Appeal
Property owners are given an opportunity to appeal the assessment process of the Sidewalk Inspection Program. In order to appeal under this option the property owner shall file notice of appeal within ten (10) days of the date of mailing the Notice of Assessment.
In order to file an appeal regarding the assessment process and/or the cost of the assessment the property owner must file in writing and ensure delivery by the deadline. Appeals may be mailed to the City Clerk of the City of Storm Lake, P.O. Box 1086, Storm Lake, Iowa 50588 (appeals may also be dropped off at City Hall at 620 Erie Street). The appeal must include the following items:
Appeals for assessment costs will be heard by the Storm Lake City Council at the next regularly scheduled City Council Meeting following the receipt of the appeal, provided the appeal is received at least four (4) business days in advance of the meeting date (the day of the meeting shall not count in the calculation).
The City of Storm Lake provides for two separate opportunities to appeal various parts of the rental inspection process (each appeal is specific to a certain part of the process).
Deficiency Appeal - the City allows property owners to appeal the findings of the inspectors and the violations found.
Abatement Appeal - the City allows property owners to appeal the cost of the abatement if the repairs are made by the City and assessed to the property owner.
Specifics on each of the appeal processes is explained below.
Deficiency Appeal
Property owners have the option of appealing the findings of the inspection provided they file their appeal within five (5) days of the receipt of the inspection.
In order to file an appeal of a found deficiency the property owner must file in writing the appeal and delivered to the City Clerk of the City of Storm Lake, P.O. Box 1086, Storm Lake, Iowa 50588 (appeals may also be dropped off at City Hall at 620 Erie Street). The appeal must include the following items:
- Name of the property owner
- Complete contact information for the Property Owner including at a minimum the phone number, address, email address, and cell phone number.
- Address of the property that the owner is filing the appeal on
- Reason for the appeal or why they feel the inspection findings were incorrect
The property owner should note that the appeal can only be filed if they believe the violation(s) that were found are not existent. Appeals for this type can not be filed because the property owner can't afford or doesn't want to do the repairs.
Appeals for deficiencies will be heard by an appeal board consisting of City staff which will NOT include the inspector. Appeals will be heard within 3-8 business days following the filing of the appeal to provide adequate time for repairs to be made in the event the appeal does NOT result in an change of the inspection findings.
Assessment Appeal
Property owners are given an opportunity to appeal the assessment process of the Sidewalk Inspection Program. In order to appeal under this option the property owner shall file notice of appeal within ten (10) days of the date of mailing the Notice of Assessment.
In order to file an appeal regarding the assessment process and/or the cost of the assessment the property owner must file in writing and ensure delivery by the deadline. Appeals may be mailed to the City Clerk of the City of Storm Lake, P.O. Box 1086, Storm Lake, Iowa 50588 (appeals may also be dropped off at City Hall at 620 Erie Street). The appeal must include the following items:
- Name of the property owner
- Complete contact information for the Property Owner including at a minimum the phone number, address, email address, and cell phone number.
- Address of the property that the owner is filing the appeal on
- Reason for the appeal or why the owner feels the amount of the assessment is incorrect
Appeals for assessment costs will be heard by the Storm Lake City Council at the next regularly scheduled City Council Meeting following the receipt of the appeal, provided the appeal is received at least four (4) business days in advance of the meeting date (the day of the meeting shall not count in the calculation).