Donna Williams, city economic and community development administrator, said the city is pulling many blight cases that once went to City Court's environmental docket.
She said it was found that many property owners were ignoring court summons, and she said it was costly to send the city attorney to court.
Ms. Williams said City Court can only assess fines up to $50, but the planned new administrative hearing officer can go to $500.
She said the city is getting action from a number of those with derelict property by sending notices saying that if they do not clean up their property they could face fines of $50 every day the problem is not fixed.
Most of the code enforcement problems are in Districts 7, 8 and 9, with some in sections of North Chattanooga, she said. As a result there are more inspectors assigned to those problem districts.
Ms. Williams also said that faith-based groups and others are also helping those with small means to fix their properties - at little or no cost to them.
The administrator said there are many "back tax hoarders" who buy tax property and hold it for three years without paying taxes or fixing it up. She said those who buy back tax property are going to be advised they have a set time to make repairs and cleanup.
The city is looking into whether it can bar persons from buying more back tax property when they owe back taxes on parcels they own already.
She said the City Council will be asked soon to approve the administrative hearing officer. Then requests for proposals will go out.
The officer who is selected will need to undergo training prior to beginning to hear cases.