How We Enforce

Voluntary compliance is our goal. Our preference is to achieve compliance by working together to resolve issues before enforcement actions are needed. Below is a list and description of common enforcement actions the County may take on an open code violation. The specifics and severity of the violation will determine which tools may be used.

Note: This is not an exhaustive list and the County may use other enforcement tools not listed.

Enforcement Action

Description of Enforcement

Property owners will be provided a compliance schedule. This schedule will be based on time frames met by a typical permit applicant to complete tasks. We strive to provide flexibility and to work with property owners to achieve the compliance schedule.

We strive to obtain voluntary compliance. However, on a case by case basis, citations may be issued if adequate progress is not made. Citations stat at $100 and then increase to $200, $500 and $1,000, for a total of $10,000 in fines for each violation per year. Citations may be appealed within 14 days from the date of issuance.

For egregious violations where adequate progress is not being made, civil penalties may be issued for up to $1,000 per day per violation for a maximum of $50,000 in any 12-month period. For State code violations a $2,500 per day per violation for a maximum of $125,000 for each violation in any 12-month period.

For egregious violations where adequate progress is not being made, the County may move forward with a public nuisance abatement. This would include the County correcting the violation at the expense of the property owner. As part of this process, the property owner will be provided several notices. This process is also appealable.

For violations that do not include health or safety issues, a notice of violation may be recorded against the property. This notice provides a description of the violation, the code violated, a deadline to comply, and what a person must do to resolve the violation. The Notice remains recorded until the violation is resolved. This process is also appealable.

Flags may be placed in our permit tracking system to alert County staff of violations on a property. The County may withhold issuance of a building permit if there are violations on a parcel.

The County may issue an order to cease an unpermitted activity taking place on a parcel. The cease and desist order may accompany other enforcement actions.