The decision to investigate and subsequently cite, or not cite, an alleged violator for a code enforcement violation is classified as __________.

The decision to investigate and cite an alleged violator for a code enforcement violation is classified as discretionary because it is based on the judgment and reasoning of the code enforcement officer or agency involved. Discretion allows the officer to weigh various factors, such as the severity of the violation, the context of the situation, and the potential impact on the community, before deciding to take action.

This process involves assessing whether it is appropriate to initiate an investigation or issue a citation, which reflects the level of discretion afforded to enforcement officials. In many cases, officers may encounter violations that could warrant action but choose not to cite them for various reasons, such as the potential for remedial action being taken by the property owner or the violation being minor in nature.

The other options—mandatory, regulatory, and obligatory—do not accurately reflect this aspect of enforcement decision-making. Mandatory would imply that an investigation or citation must occur in every case, which is not how code enforcement typically operates. Regulatory suggests a formal set of rules that dictates outcomes solely on the basis of the violation itself, which overlooks the officer's judgment. Obligatory indicates that there is a required action, which contradicts the discretionary nature of these decisions where choice plays a significant role.