Chapter 19.40
ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS

Sections:

19.40.010    Procedures and guidelines for responding to code complaints and violations.

19.40.010 Procedures and guidelines for responding to code complaints and violations.

(1) This section sets out procedures and guidelines for responding to complaints and code violations.

(2) Complaints – Investigation, Verification. The code enforcement officer shall determine whether a complaint is reliable based upon past complaints, subsequent inspections and/or investigations, and other relevant criteria or information. If the code enforcement officer determines a complaint is reliable, the code enforcement officer may conduct or take all appropriate or necessary inspections, investigations and actions. If the code enforcement officer determines a complaint is not reliable, the city is not obligated to conduct any further inspection or investigation, nor to take action regarding such complaint.

(3) Violations – Investigation – Verification – Enforcement. The code enforcement officer will determine whether a violation is probable or has occurred based upon information derived from sources including but not limited to complaints, police reports, inspections, field observations, witnesses, relevant documents, and city data systems. When the code enforcement officer makes such a determination, the violation will be documented and the code enforcement officer may take or issue appropriate enforcement action pursuant to this chapter (e.g., issuance of warnings, stop work orders, notices of violation).

(4) Enforcement Actions. In order to promote compliance with the code and/or to discourage public nuisances, the code enforcement officer may, in response to inspections, field observations, reports, investigations or reliable complaints, determine that violations of the code have occurred or are or may be occurring, and may take the following enforcement actions, in whole or part, and in any order appropriate to the violation:

(a) Warning;

(b) Stop work order;

(c) Notice and order;

(d) Civil infraction;

(e) Voluntary compliance agreement;

(f) Suspend, revoke, or modify any permit or approval;

(g) Impose fines, penalties, and/or recover costs incurred by the city;

(h) Criminal enforcement.

(5) Verification of Compliance. The code enforcement officer shall make such investigations or inspections as necessary or appropriate to confirm compliance with any enforcement action. (Ord. 1005 § 2 (Exh. A), 2021).