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Code Enforcement

Substandard housing and public nuisance properties are area and neighborhood concerns.  They can be health and fire hazards.  Some are due to improper initial construction and others are due to deterioration or illegal alterations and construction.  It is important to return such building to a state of minimum health and safety standards by doing building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical and structural repairs in compliance with the adopted codes. Inspections are conducted to ensure minimum code standards are met. It is our desire to achieve voluntary compliance with state and local laws and ordinances.

► Complaints
Complaint forms are accepted by mail, fax or in person at any County Building and Safety Office or at the Planning Division counter. The complaint may also be received electronically by submitting the completed complaint form provided in the link below. This link will allow you to complete an online compliant form and email it to the Code Compliance Division.

Complainants name(s) are held confidential. They are only released when ordered by the court under subpoena.

Anonymous complaints will not be accepted.
► Code Enforcement Complaint Form pdf
Housing complaints will only be accepted after written notice to the landlord and/or property owner, and allowing ample time (30 days) to make repairs.

► Samples of Violations and Penalties
The most common violations of the model codes are:

  • Construction without permits
  • Substandard Housing
  • Failure to "Stop Work"
  • Converted garages and sheds into dwelling units
► Violation Process
Complaints are received and investigated in a timely manner.  Notice of Violation and Intent to Record Notice of Noncompliance are issued if a violation exists.  If permits are not obtained within 30 days to correct the violations, a Notice of Noncompliance is recorded against the property title, thus clouding the title.  Once a Notice of Noncompliance is recorded, a code enforcement case is opened.
► Request for Release of Notice of Noncompliance pdf
► Enforcement Procedures
Code enforcement cases are pursued if voluntary compliance is not achieved by filing "criminal charges".
► Criminal Charges
Code enforcement cases can be directed to the District Attorney's Office for filing of misdemeanor charges.  If found guilty, the property owner and/or contractor can face up to 36 months probation, fines of up to $1,000.00 per violation and/or 6 months in jail.  Terms and Conditions of probation also require correction of the code violation(s) within a specified timeframe.
► Receivership Program
This program requests the Superior Court to appoint a receiver to take temporary possession of the property in order to abate the code enforcement violations. Upon the completion of the title reports, title holders will be notified of the impending request. They will be allowed the chance to abate the violations prior to our office filing a request with the Superior Court. The property owner and/or title holder is responsible for all costs, such as title report, attorney's fees, receivership fees, abatement fees and County staff time. If costs are not recovered upon abatement, a petition to the Court will be filed to sell the property to recover costs. The property owner or title holder will receive the remainder of the proceeds from the sale. This program is authorized under the Health and Safety Code Section 17980.7.