Code enforcement officers are often perceived by the public as notoriously intrusive officials who have little or no compassion for their fellow citizens. The codes they enforce are frequently thought to be petty and clear cases of governmental overreach. Nuisance ordinances are rarely appreciated by those contacted about them. But at the heart of code enforcement is a cadre of men and women who stand on the front lines of maintaining safe communities, properties and buildings. To say they are without empathy and kindness is a tragic exaggeration and utterly unfair.

There are more than 47,000 code enforcement personnel in this country, and 82% of them are employed by governmental entities to inspect properties and buildings, ensuring that no breaches of property safety or health concerns are present. From overgrown vegetation providing habitats for rodents and insects to residential or commercial buildings that have structural or electrical issues, code enforcement officers seek to prevent potential problems in their communities.

Many code enforcers are thought to be the “bottom of the barrel” in terms of education and position. To the contrary, most code enforcement officers have a college degree (72%), with nearly half achieving at least a bachelor’s degree. They are without a doubt well educated and often highly trained through intensive on-the-job instruction and experience, and many are accredited through the International Code Council and or the American Association of Code Enforcement training. Their thankless task is locating and addressing problems that may not be apparent to (or are simply ignored by) property owners.

Their thankless task is locating and addressing problems that may not be apparent to (or are simply ignored by) property owners.

What is the range of duties for code enforcement officers? Some are generalists, having responsibilities in zoning matters, property preservation, and electrical and structural integrity of buildings. There are others who may specialize in one area only. Code compliance can encompass many areas, including animal control, ecological issues, building codes, tall grass, derelict vehicles, etc. These men and women are a diverse group who complement other departments within their jurisdictions and provide a valuable service to the community as a whole.

Unfortunately, these dedicated folks often have short careers. Only 14% of code enforcement officers have worked in the field for more than 10 years. The stress of the job, relatively low pay, and the considerable criticism and disrespect they receive from unhappy property owners assuredly contribute to their departure from the profession.

Property owners are rightfully very protective of their domain, but regrettably some of them have unsafe and/or blighted properties that need to be addressed. Derelict vehicles sitting in a front yard with pieces and parts strewn about are asking for a pest infestation. Not only that, but neighbors who work hard to keep their properties in great condition do not want to see their own home value decline because of lazy or uncaring neighbors. Tall grass and weeds, water-holding vessels like tires or tossed-out plastic tubs, and other debris can create prolific habitats for insects and often become problematic for others in the neighborhood.

The occurrences of physical attacks on code enforcement officers have increased over the past 15 years. As police have come under even more scrutiny from the public, code enforcement officers find themselves at the mercy of some who might harbor hard feelings toward any governmental entity. Code enforcement officers have been attacked on duty and even some while off duty. A number of jurisdictions have provided their code enforcement personnel with body armor, pepper spray and other personal protective equipment in hopes of quelling future attacks and injuries. It is incumbent upon all code enforcement officers to be mindful of our surroundings with situational awareness, alert supervisors/peers of our locations at any stop and keep our head on the proverbial swivel. Personal safety should be the primary goal of every code officer.

The benefits of being a code enforcement officer are in the eye of the beholder. Certainly, the benefits package associated with government work is typically generous, but governmental salaries are often less than their private-sector counterparts. The average salary for code enforcement officers in the U.S. is roughly $40,000 per year — although, depending on the officer’s education, certifications and location, salaries can be in excess of $80,000 per year. It’s common for code enforcers to perform their duties long enough to move on to other positions within their jurisdictions. In other words, for some the job is sometimes nothing more than a steppingstone to bigger and better opportunities.

So, what are code enforcement officers saying about the job in their own words? In a small survey I conducted of code enforcement officers from various parts of the country, I learned a great deal about different code compliance programs and those who work within them. For instance, one particular code enforcer started out in the corporate financial world, earning an MBA along the way, only to end up working as a code enforcer for a medium-sized jurisdiction. For that code enforcer, being part of a community’s betterment was more satisfying than being in a field where employees earn considerably more financial incentives than he does now.

Many code enforcers have a law enforcement background. One code enforcer previously worked as a park ranger and earned a degree in criminal justice. His viewpoint on code enforcement is that “it’s a rewarding and challenging job. You have to have a passion for the work and be able to maneuver the many challenges that come.” It certainly is true that without a passion for the multitude of duties and a willingness to accept the criticism, anger and other negatives associated with the job, it would be a seemingly impossible task.

Being a code enforcement officer is, much like being a police officer, often a thankless job. Rarely appreciated as much as other public servants, code enforcers continue to do their crucial jobs with little or no fanfare. It’s a tough job being done by tough individuals.