The challenge for code enforcement is this - regardless of whether they are proactive or waiting for a complaint, they are reacting to a "done deed" .
A spec house was built a couple of streets over from me last year. First, they clear-cut (actually bulldozed) the lot. Then, they brought in a bunch of brown fill sand. Someone filed a complaint, there was a stop-work order, but ultimately they didn't change a single thing.
I don't know how you solve this.
Unrelated to realistic challenges facing code enforcement, rant starts.
Personally, I'm all for proactive. The laws are laws. If we don't enforce the laws we've got, we'll look like Miami in 10 years. If you don't like the laws, get them changed.
My former neighborhood in Memphis was designated a "National Historic District" in 1984. Far from being a problem, the additional restrictions helped property values, made the neighborhood desirable (even in the current downturn sales there have held up), and built a sense of belonging to all the residents. The polar opposite of the "every man for himself" attitude that develops when personal property rights trump all. The most expensive property is typically in SoWal is in Seaside, Rosemary, Watercolor, Alys, etc. where, you've guessed it, they have.....
End of rant.