One of our priorities is to maintain the livability of our community by making sure everyone follows our local municipal and development codes Our primary focus is to address community member complaints and proactively search for violations that pose a concern for life and safety. We work on cases involving zoning, building safety, unsanitary conditions, flammable vegetation, and sign code violations to name a few. Our goal is to seek voluntary compliance and only pursue legal action after all other options have been exhausted.

File a Complaint

Code Enforcement Complaints are handled through our Online Permit Center Portal. Before submitting your complaint, please ensure it falls within our authority. We’ve included a comprehensive list of items our team handles, as well as lists of items managed by other divisions within the City of Bend, along with their contact information. For a successful submission, please use the Online Permit Center and follow the provided instructions below.

Processing Time:

Code Enforcement Complaints are typically reviewed within two business days.
NOTE: if needed, the Code Enforcement team will reach out to the person who files the complaint for additional information, otherwise the complaint moves forward.

1Step: Confirm your complaint is handled by the Code Enforcement Division

Items Code Enforcement handles:

  • Attractive Nuisance
  • Building Code
  • Clear Vision— Street, Alley, Intersection, or Driveway
  • Construction Project Grading
  • Derelict Structures
  • Discarded Vehicle on Private Property
  • Excessive Trash/Rubbish on Private Property
  • Fence/Wall
  • Flammable Vegetation
  • Graffiti on Private Property
  • Home Energy Score (HES) - Energy Performance Report and Disclosure
  • Licensing
  • Lighting
  • Marijuana Business Operations
  • No Heat/Water/Electricity
  • Noxious Weeds
  • Nuisance Affecting Public Health
  • Setback
  • Short Term Rentals
  • Signage
  • Snow Removal from Sidewalks
  • Hazardous Tree
  • Zoning/Land Use

Items Non-Emergency Police Department handles:

  • Abandoned Vehicle
  • Parking Complaint
  • Animal Control
  • Noise Complaint

For the items listed above you can reach the Police Department Non-Emergency line at: 541-693-6911.

Items Bend Works handles:

What is Bend Works? Bend Works is a fast and easy way to report non-emergency issues you see around town. Ask us a question or tell us where to find and fix potholes, flooding issues, damaged street signs, and much more! You can enter service requests or download the Bend Works mobile app to submit them on the go.

  • ADA Barrier Removal
  • Camping in Right-of-Way
  • Construction Site Erosion or Dust Report
  • Damaged or Missing Street Sign
  • Dead Animal (non-domesticated)
  • Debris/Trash in Right-of-Way
  • Fire Non-emergency Request
  • Garbage Hauler
  • Graffiti in Right-of-Way
  • No Water
  • Parking
  • Pothole
  • Sidewalks
  • Spill/Illicit Discharge
  • Storm and/or Flooding
  • Street Snow Removal Issues
  • Streets and Sidewalks - Other
  • Streetlight
  • Traffic Control Request
  • Vegetation and Landscape (overgrown vegetation in right-of-way)
  • Water/Sewer: Damage
  • Water/Sewer: Leak
  • Water/Sewer: Other Concerns
  • Water Quality
  • Water Waste

For the items listed above please access our Bend Works system here.

2Step: Prepare Your Details and Supporting Items

Before submitting your complaint, please gather the following information:

  • Details of the Complaint: Describe the nature of the complaint and the alleged violation.
  • Description of the Area: Provide a description of the area to help the inspector easily find the violations (e.g., backyard).
  • Location: Include the address of the violation.
  • Supporting Items: Attach any supporting items with descriptions, such as photos or videos.

3Step: Submit Your Code Enforcement Complaint

  • In the Online Permit Center Portal, start by selecting the Complaint Type.
  • Complete the rest of the form and submit the complaint.

Checking on Your Complaint Status

Checking the status of your Code Enforcement Complaint is a breeze with our Online Permit Center Portal. Here is a quick guide:

  1. Log in to the Online Permit Center Portal.
  2. Go to ‘My Items’ in the portal navigation.
  3. Hit ‘Expand All’ to view everything.
  4. Locate your Code Enforcement Complaint.
  5. Check the ‘Status’ column for a snapshot of where your complaint is in the process.
  6. Clicking the ‘Reference Number’ will show you the full details of your complaint for a deeper dive.

Have questions? Reach out to us at codeenforcement@bendoregon.gov for assistance. We are here to help!

Common Code Enforcement Items

Nuisances

  • Storage Requirements for Household Trash
    To keep our community clean and healthy, it is important to manage household trash properly. All decaying waste, which includes any materials that can decompose, must be removed every seven days. We highly recommend using a trash service, as it is more cost-effective than making weekly trips to the landfill.
  • Requirements for Storing Inoperable Vehicles and Vehicle Parts
    Inoperable vehicles and vehicle parts, also referred to as discarded vehicles, can be visible for only 72 hours. After this period, they must be screened by a solid 6-foot barrier. Examples include storing the vehicle or parts in a garage or in a backyard with a solid 6-foot fence.

If you would like to report a Nuisance violation, please file a Code Enforcement Complaint using the instructions found above.

Sidewalk Snow and Ice Removal

At the City of Bend, we prioritize the health and safety of our community. To ensure this, we have implemented and enforce codes regarding the removal of snow and ice from Bend’s sidewalks.

More on Sidewalk Snow and Ice Removal.

If you would like to report a Sidewalk Snow and Ice Removal violation, please file a Code Enforcement Complaint using the instructions found above.

Illegal Short-Term Rentals

For information on using your house as a Short-Term Rental or how to permit and license Short-Term Rentals, please visit our Short-Term Rental page for full details.

If you would like to report a possible illegal Short-Term Rental, please file a Code Enforcement Complaint using the instructions found above.

Sign Violations

Both temporary and permanent signs are required to have a permit in most cases. Full information on permitting for signs can be found on our Signs Page.

If you would like to report a Sign violation, please file a Code Enforcement Complaint using the instructions found above.

Flammable Vegetation

It is essential that all community members within city limits work together to prevent wildfires on their property and adjacent right of ways. All tenants, property managers, and homeowners are responsible for reducing potentially flammable weeds, grass, vines, brush, and other vegetation. By reducing flammable vegetation, we can confine fires to the property and prevent them from spreading to neighboring properties.

More on Flammable Vegetation.

If you would like to report a Flammable Vegetation violation, please file a Code Enforcement Complaint using the instructions found above.

Noxious Weeds

Noxious weeds can increase soil erosion, reduce wildlife habitats, rob native plants of water, nutrients, and light, and even be toxic to humans and animals. No one should allow the growth of noxious vegetation on their property within the Bend city limits. Controlling noxious weeds should be a priority for all property owners.

More on Noxious Weeds.

If you would like to report a Noxious Weeds violation, please file a Code Enforcement Complaint using the instructions found above.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I contact the Code Enforcement Division?
Are Code Enforcement Complaints anonymous?
After I have filed my complaint will I receive any follow-up concerning the case?
My report status shows as ‘Closed’ in the Online Permit Center Portal; how do I know what the outcome is?
If I file a complaint and it is resolved, but the problem reoccurs in the future, should I file a new complaint?
I received a time-sensitive Code Enforcement violation that must be resolved within a specific period to avoid a fine. Do I need to completely fix the issue within this timeframe to avoid the fine?
When is the Flammable Vegetation Code enforced?
I have noxious weeds on my property. How can I remove them to comply with City codes?
Do temporary signs like sandwich boards and banners need a permit?
What happens if I put up a sign that needs a permit without getting one?
How long do I have to clear snow and ice from the sidewalks next to my property?
A snowplow drove by and buried my sidewalk after I removed all the snow. Am I still responsible for removing the snow?