Biz Owners Say City Too Aggressive In Code Enforcement

[The Straight Story]

Columbus, Ohio:

McCoury said the city told him the outdoor flower boxes were outside his approved design space.

....

Next, he said the city told him the flowers violate the Americans with Disabilities Act.

....

"I've invested $15,000 in exterior improvements. I want to comply. Everything has been done legally and approved by the city," McCoury said.

Owners said they're trying to make the areas attractive but the city is telling them umbrellas encroach on the city's airspace and flowers hang over into the public right of way.

One owner told NBC4 city workers came down during lunch hour and demanded flowers be moved immediately.

http://www2.nbc4i.com/news/2011/aug/15/biz-owners-say-city-too-aggressive-code-enforcemen-ar-687875/

[MineralMan]

1. Pretty typical behavior from that city.

You can find similar complaints in most cities. Sadly, people who enforce city ordinances often do so without much thought or use of common sense. It's a problem for small businesses, which often face conflicting demands from different parts of city government.