If you’ve received a Notice of Noncompliance or an Order to Repair from the city, you’re likely already dealing with mounting pressure, deadlines, and potential fines. While these documents are related, they are not the same — and understanding the difference can help you determine what options you still have.

This page breaks down what each notice means, where they fall in the city’s code enforcement process, and what typically happens next if the issue isn’t resolved.

What Is a Notice of Noncompliance?

A Notice of Noncompliance is typically the first formal warning issued by a city’s code enforcement department. It means the city has identified violations on the property that do not meet local safety, health, or maintenance standards.

Common reasons a Notice of Noncompliance is issued include:

• Structural deterioration
• Unsafe electrical or plumbing conditions
• Overgrown vegetation or debris
• Vacant or unsecured buildings
• Repeated complaints from neighbors

At this stage, the city is not yet ordering repairs, but it is officially documenting the violations and placing the owner on notice.

What Is an Order to Repair?

Code enforcement situations become overwhelming quickly, especially when multiple challenges stack up at once. We commonly speak with An Order to Repair is a more serious enforcement action that usually follows if:

• The violations were not corrected after earlier notices, or
• The property condition poses a direct health or safety risk

Unlike a Notice of Noncompliance, an Order to Repair:

• Sets specific repair requirements
• Includes strict deadlines
• May authorize city intervention if the owner fails to comply

At this point, the city is no longer asking — it is directing action.

Key Differences Between an Order to Repair and a Notice of Noncompliance

Understanding this distinction is critical because options narrow significantly once an Order to Repair is issued.

Where These Notices Fall in the Code Enforcement Timeline

Most cities follow a progression similar to this:

1. Complaint or inspection
2. Notice of Noncompliance issued
3. Follow-up inspection
4. Order to Repair issued
5. Civil penalties or fines
6. Property liens or legal action
7. Court-appointed receivership or demolition

If you’re already at step 3 or 4, it’s often a sign that time is no longer on your side.

What Happens If You Ignore an Order to Repair?

Ignoring an Order to Repair can result in:

• Daily fines
• City-placed liens on the property
• Forced repairs billed back to the owner
• Legal action or court involvement
• Loss of control over the property through receivership

For many owners — especially those dealing with inherited properties, vacant homes, or financial hardship — compliance may not be realistic.

Options Property Owners Have at Each Stage

Depending on where you are in the process, options may include:

• Completing repairs within the city’s timeline
• Requesting an extension or hearing
• Bringing the property up to code for resale
• Selling the property as-is before penalties escalate

Many owners choose to sell before an Order to Repair turns into a financial liability that exceeds the property’s value.

Selling a Property With a Code Enforcement Order

Selling a property with an active Notice of Noncompliance or Order to Repair is possible — but traditional buyers often won’t take on the risk.

Local buyers experienced with code enforcement cases can:

• Purchase properties as-is
• Close before additional penalties accrue
• Help owners avoid liens, court involvement, or forced repairs

If you’re unsure what stage your case is in, reviewing your notice carefully is the first step.

Dealing With a Notice or Order? You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone.

If you’ve received a Notice of Noncompliance or an Order to Repair, understanding your options early can help you avoid fines, liens, or legal escalation.

👉 Talk to a local buyer experienced with code enforcement cases.