Huntingburg Council passes hoarding ordinance

After several months of consideration and discussion, the Huntingburg Common Council passed an ordinance to address incidents of hoarding.

The ordinance, 2025-06, provides code enforcement officials with additional tools to tackle situations where excessive accumulation of personal property creates dangerous conditions.

During the council meeting, City Attorney Phil Schneider outlined the key components of the ordinance, which defines hoarding as “the excessive accumulation of any tangible personal property” that contributes to specific public health concerns.

The ordinance identifies eight specific conditions that constitute violations, including creating fire hazards, obstruct access for emergency personnel, harboring pests, creating unsanitary conditions, creating property code violations, creating conditions to impact neighboring properties, making dwellings unfit for human habitation or constituting clutter that prohibits spaces from being used as they are designed.

“We are addressing these eight items that are tangible and you can deal with,” explained Councilman Steve McPherron, referring to the mental health aspect of hoarding issues. “I feel badly for people that have this issue, and that’s not what we’re trying to address. We’re trying to work on the actual eight things that affect citizens or neighbors, public safety, whatever.”

Councilwoman Pam Bolte emphasized that the ordinance stems from concerns raised by first responders who have witnessed dangerous conditions firsthand.

“This isn’t something that we’re just picking on people for hoarding. These are things that have come to our attention from first responders, from people that have been firsthand inside of houses and have seen that it is dangerous,” Bolte said. “We’re trying to help people. So I think that’s important to know that it’s not an invasion of people’s privacy or their rights.”

Public health implications extend beyond individual properties, Councilman Jeff Bounds noted: “There’s also health issues for the entire community. When you’ve got old tires stacked up and providing a breeding ground for mosquitoes that multiply and spread out, those things need to be addressed.”

The ordinance establishes a clear enforcement process. Code enforcement officers can cite violations observed from public streets or alleys, or with consent from property owners. In severe cases where consent is not given, officers can apply for inspection warrants through the court.

Violators will receive notification and have 30 days to correct the issue. Failure to comply results in a $50 fine for the first offense and $100 for each subsequent day the violation continues. The ordinance also provides an appeals process through the Board of Public Works and Safety by filing written notice within 10 days of receiving a violation notice.

Council members supported the measure to protect property values and neighborhood aesthetics.

The city’s code enforcement team currently issues more than 400 violation letters annually, but officials noted that problems persist despite these efforts.

“You’re going to work in excess of 400 letters and violations we find a year and things still aren’t getting better,” Mayor Neil Elkins said. “I think that this is a step forward in that there’s a little more teeth when it comes down to some of the fines. It will solve a lot of issues.”

Council members acknowledged that enforcement will be collaborative rather than punitive. “I’m sure our code enforcement people will work with them, you know, as long as they see improvement, that’s being processed, being worked on,” said Councilman Tim Wehr.

Councilwoman Bolte and Mayor Elkins highlighted the importance of connecting affected residents with resources to address hoarding situations.

The ordinance was passed unanimously.

After the ordinance was passed, resident Janet Schnell, who brought the issue to the council and board of public works and safety, thanked them for listening to her.

“To see that you guys are listening to what your voters are saying brings us hope,” she told the council and mayor.