Okay, so I was very surprised to learn my house is listed as "almost meets code". I cannot imagine what does not meet code - especially since the entire outside surface was brand new as of last year. How do I find out the specifics as to why I received this rating?

I'm wondering the same thing. I want to know specifically what wasn't up to code.

I agree!! Our house was painted two years ago and we are constantly updating as is typical with an older home. The city should send a letter to residents whose houses are not meeting code that addresses why they are not meeting the code prior to publishing a database such as this.

I have been very interested to see the results for my home since this was first released, so I was quite surprised to see my home as "almost meets code" when I looked at this list. My house is probably one of the nicest on the street, and with the amount of work that I have done since purchasing it, it's fairly discouraging. I called the city this morning and asked how to get the results of their study for my house in particular, and all the guy would tell me was "the inspector will reach out to you if he needs to". Well that certainly doesn't help!

I think you'll only hear from the inspectors if you have a yellow or red designation. My neighbor got a letter because of significant peeling paint. What the city should do is list everything they're checking for regarding code compliance. Then owners could do their own self assessment.

Sounds like a common theme. Typical Lakewood, says almost meets code but doesn't explain what is objectionable. Based on the past experiences with the lame sidewalk inspector, followed by the totally incompetent tree inspector, I will give this all the attention I give a barking dog, ignore it.

If you received your letter, call the number listed on it. However, keep the questions and comments coming, and we'll follow up with the city.

We have been dealing with the city for years regarding our neighboring three family property. We've owned our three family for 16 years and have personally witnessed it falling into a blighted condition. We have been brushed off time after time after time. We've sent letters and pictures to City Hall. It has severely impacted us financially, as we've attempted to attract renters since we were unable to sell at any profit when we tried a couple of years ago. NOW our address as well as theirs and two others surrounding us DON'T EVEN SHOW UP ON THE MAP! What a joke...has it struck anyone else that this should have been done by inspectors from outside of Lakewood? Apparently, the owner has "until May" to tear down the garage, replace the driveway and repair and paint the entire house. I am so disgusted...

Only those who "need work" should have received a letter. However, calling the number listed is no help. They did not keep details of each homes issues when they did the survey. They'll be coming back to cite specific issues this summer. I suggest anyone who received a letter call the Lakewood Alive number also listed on the letter.
Additionally I'm not happy about the addresses being published, I feel like it opens desperate home owners up to questionable businesses who may be going through the lists.

I am also curious about definition of "almost meets code" and "needs work". Homeowners should only work with reputable contractors, check with the City Building Department, Lakewood Alive, Better Business Bureau or Angie's List if you are interested in their service. I think it is good to know that the City is out and about in the community, but it would have been helpful to know what " almost to code" means so I would know what to focus on.

I think that is ridiculous that they publish a list that all can see, and then do not keep records of exactly why they rated your property that way. That is unacceptable. I still have my certificate they gave me a few years ago when all was good. Now I feel defeated that I take alot of pride in my home and it's upkeep.. and I did not meet code.

GOOD NEWS: Lakewood is excellent in checking on how property is kept up to keep pride in being a resident here.

BAD NEWS: I agree with Marty, but he is giving too much credit to the "sidewalk inspector". I saw him...try a guy sitting in his car across the street with a clipboard!!

Those that care need to know what item(s) do not pass the city code!!!

We received the letter, but it said NOTHING about our code violations. We're the only yellow on our block. However, we have several neighbors with peeling paint, grass growing up In the driveway, etc. (For the record we have neither.) The day a person knocks on my door to chat about our violations is the day I take them seriously.

I am wondering what they are hoping to accomplish by making a list available without listing the violations. When we purchased our foreclosed home several years ago, the list we were given wasn't specific enough... or even accurate... regarding things that needed repair so it was difficult to comply. I was surprised to see that 14 of the 28 houses on our street is in need of work according to the assessment.

I must add that I contacted Dru Siley and received a prompt returned phone call today. Again, same info that they did not keep specifics and that "almost met code" basically meant that a minor violation occurred such as peeling paint, a missing porch railing or a cracked driveway... so he basically said don't worry about it if you don't have any of these.

Hey Lakewood, how dare you tell me that my house, whose paint is peeling and has a small section of gutter hanging low due to rotted fascia board, is not perfect!

I had it painted 4 years ago. I thought paint lasted forever! I didn't realize wood exposed to the elements could go bad.
I really should have moved to Cleveland where they don't care what happens and I can let my porch steps fall off. It's a win win. I save money on repairs and it makes it harder for someone to break in.

I hope it was obvious that I was saying all that in jest but here is my side of it. I believe I have one of the most beautiful homes in Lakewood and yet I seem to be the only person speaking out who truly loves what Lakewood is doing, appreciates their concern for the wellbeing of its/our property value(s), and recognizes that they are continually striving to make us a better, stronger and more vibrant city.

For those who feel they have been outed, are you presuming that someone actually cares so much about your house that they are going to seek out your plot on the map and then judge you? Should you care if they are?
The city is not trying to bully you or strong arm you into making repairs. They, the City of Lakewood, want to know the condition of the housing stock and notify the owners of the problems they noticed
I don’t see how this is so abhorrent to so many.

I keep hearing the term "up to code" here. It was my impression that this was a cursory, informal review of the general condition of the outside of the structure. It would be great if we had a look at the actual survey form than the inspectors used. My guess is that the form does not have columns or a place to mark which section of Lakewood Codified Ordinances are not "up to code" as per Section 1306 "The Lakewood Property Maintenance and Safety Code."

Brandon- I totally agree with you-houses constantly need work. I work for a housing nonprofit in Cleveland Heights, which is notorious for city violations and live in Lakewood, which I absolutely adore and believe that there should be violations, but don't you think it is strange that they didn't keep the data? It is hard to improve a house if you don't know exactly what it is that needs to be improved. I whole heartedly believe in maintaining and improving our housing stock, but specfics are essential.

Why are there lots on this map which had designated ratings in previous versions, but now appear blank? Ours is among them, along with the blighted property neighboring us to the north and two others in a row. There are obvious gaping holes in this "shapshot". It certainly makes it appear as though our street is in better condition than it actually is. The City is reponsible for a lack of enforcement which spans years. How else would these properties have gotten this bad? I have further documentation regarding our neighboring property which reflects that the Absentee Landlord's "Property Management" run three family home has absorbed our tax dollars like a sponge ~ as the owner has been pursued and subsequently granted extensions. I noted the recent crackdown will include reimbursement to the city for their costs in pursuing these cases. How are we, those Lakewood homeowners, whose properties are affected dramatically by blighted properties supposed to recoup the loss of equity and decline in rental income potential we have experienced due to our neighboring property? And what about those tax valuations....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hE8fsTJBjA&feature=youtu.be

I too saw a almost meets code and wondered what isn't up to code.

I called the building department the last time they put out this list. I was basically told that they cannot tell us specifics without actually citing us. But they did indicate that they would be "happy to send out an inspector to write a citation." So, my advice, don't bother to call. Just accept the fact that you are a "blue house" and hope that you can figure it out before you need to sell your house.

This is bullshit! If we own our home nobody has the right to tell me what they think about it,because my home is clean and beautiful and I could care less what the city thinks, they don't pay my bills!

Lakewood wasting our tax dollars at its finest. Why did they walk past 3-4 family properties? Commercial properties like mine for that matter? Across the street there is a 2 fam and a 4 plex. The 2 fam is listed as in "almost meets code", but the 4plex (not listed) next door looks like a crack house compared to the 2 fam. From the street, 2 fam is nicely painted and mows their yard, basically looks nice. The 4 plex never mows their yard (i have called owner and city), is missing awnings from a storm 3 years ago, and has at least 20 pigeons living under the roof overhang on front porch. Whoever inspected/walked around must have been the same people that did the sidewalk project on Clifton. If so, the city should drug test them.