Code Compliance

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Complaints Handled by Other Agencies

The following types of complaints are best addressed as civil matters through the court system, mediation or through the appropriate County Department.

Abandoned Vehicles

Please contact the County Sheriff's Office: 831-454-7602

Animal Control

For all animal concerns please review the Animal Keeping brochure or contact Animal Control: 831-454-7303 or Contact the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter

Privacy concerns

Privacy concerns are typcially a civil matter that need to be addressed through the Sheriff's Department. 831-454-7602.

View protection

Views are not protected except for required coastal and scenic corridors. To be protected, views must be a condition of approval of a development permit.

The only trees protected by the Significant Tree Ordinance, SCC 16.34, are those located in the Coastal Zone or a designated Riparian Corridor and meet the definition of a significant tree. Please refer to the Tree Protection and Removal policy for more information. The California Department of Forestry (CDF) enforces timber harvesting and exemptions.

Blocked easements and rights-of-way

The County does not guarantee the usability of private easements and rights-of-way. The titleholders of the easement or right-of-way must protect their own rights. Public easements or rights-of-way are maintained by the Department of Public Works.

Report Problem

Neglected Properties

The neglected property ordinance, SCC 13.10.556, applies only to residentially zoned parcels. Commercial and Agricultural properties are regulated by commercial development permit conditions-of-approval.

Chapter 13.10 ZONING REGULATIONS

Tenant/housing complaints

Code Compliance only enforces the legality of a structure and does not enforce sub-standard housing complaints. These complaints should be directed to the Environmental Health Department. The County of Santa Cruz does not limit the number of people dwelling in a house or require that they be related.

Substandard Housing

Septic concerns

Leaking septic tanks, leach fields, and gray water issues should be reported directly to the Environmental Health Department.

Property line disputes

Property line disputes are a private civil matter and cannot be addressed by Code Compliance.

Weed Abatement

Contact your Local Fire Department which varies by district.

Drainage

Drainage from one property onto another is a trespass issue. Code Compliance will only investigate if the drainage system is required as part of a condition-of-approval of a development or building permit and has been altered.

Report Problem

Noise

The Sheriff's Department in accordance with SCC Chapter 8.30 handles general noise complaints. Code Compliance would only investigate if the noise was restricted by a building, development, or use permit.

Animal noise complaints are addressed by County Animal Control at 831-454-7303.

Parking issues

Code Compliance enforces only those parking requirements that are conditions-of-approval of development permits.

Cannabis

Contact the Cannabis Licensing Office

Mosquitoes/Vector Control

Contact the Mosquito Abatement and Vector Control Division

Code Compliance investigates and enforces situations involving building, environmental, and zoning violations, including work without permits, as well as enforcing violations of the vacation and hosted rental ordinances. In addition, this Section offers staff and administrative support for Neglected Property and Dangerous Building/Site Abatement Programs.

These programs generally operate in response to citizen complaints of alleged code violations or from referrals from other public agencies, but at times are initiated by Department staff such as for unpermitted construction underway, or situations of life-safety hazards or severe nuisance activities. Cases are investigated and, if appropriate, administrative citations, warning and/or violation notices are issued. Increased (double) fees may be associated with permits resulting from "Stop Work" and code compliance cases. These actions may be followed by additional legal sanctions, such as recordation, fines, or civil penalties. The overall objective of the code enforcement process is to motivate the property owner to discontinue the illegal use or activity and/or to obtain the required permits.

Overview of Code Compliance

Responsibilities of the Code Compliance Section

Code Compliance responds to complaints from the public and referrals from local agencies, such as local fire departments, sheriff, and State agencies, such as the Department of Fish and Wildlife. The mission of this section is to ensure the equitable and consistent enforcement of local building, zoning, and environmental land use regulations as adopted by the Board of Supervisors.

The Enforcement Process

The process usually begins with a "Stop Work" notice or the filing of a complaint, alleging that a violation of County land use regulations has occurred. A First Contact Letter is sent to the property owner, informing them of the complaint. Next, the Investigator, reviews the complaint, completes research of available building land use information and records, and conducts a site inspection.

If the reported allegation is confirmed, a Notice of Violation is posted on the property, and the owner is notified, by mail and informed that the violation must be corrected within 90 days usually. The property owner has 20 days within which to appeal the issuance of this notice. If the notice is not appealed, it may be recorded on the title to the property, informing any future owner of the violation and that it must be corrected.

The property may be reinspected, usually 90 days after the notice was issued, and if the violation has been corrected, the investigation is resolved. If the violation remains, the matter may be referred for an administrative hearing, or to County Counsel, or the District Attorney for legal action. Although voluntary compliance is sought, uncorrected violations can result in significant penalties to the property owner. Additionally, the property owner or responsible party is liable for enforcement costs, that is staff time spent on obtaining compliance.

In some cases where resolution of a violation is relatively simple, the code investigator may post an administrative citation rather than sending a first contact letter. (SCCC 1.13.070)

The Abatement Process

Code Compliance has access to a limited amount of funds available for the abatement of properties where compliance efforts have been exhausted. These cases typically involve dangerous buildings and neglected properties. Once the nuisance has been abated, the cost of that action will be attached to the property tax bill for cost recovery.