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Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson has announced a plan to make code enforcement a priority in Natchez and to put some teeth into enforcing existing city ordinances with costly fines.

We applaud that action. He’s correct: It’s time.

Natchez depends on tourism dollars. Some aren’t happy with that fact, but it is a fact. Tourism is our major industry.

So often, people who live in the city’s historic district work to do the right thing, which means getting approval from the city’s preservation commission before making changes or improvements to their homes in the district that affect the exterior appearance of the home.

Some think it’s ridiculous that a city dictates to a private property owner what that person can and cannot do with their property. We disagree completely. Our city’s economy depends on the integrity of our historic districts. If someone cannot live with the responsibilities of property ownership in the city’s historic district, they should not purchase property there.

Those who make changes to their property in the city’s historic district without the approval of the city’s preservation commission should suffer the consequences, including undoing those changes and bringing the property up to historic district standards.

Further, those who own property that is neglected, junky, overgrown, and otherwise in a state that detracts from the value of neighboring property should face stiff fines and penalties — financial penalties that make it worthwhile for the city’s taxpayers to go in and do the necessary cleanup.

Property ownership in the City of Natchez comes with responsibilities, and we wholeheartedly support the city’s administration in its efforts to ensure that property owners live up to their obligations.