9.32.240 - Code enforcement fees.

(a)

Pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Section 17951, responsible persons who cause, allow or maintain a violation in, or upon, residential properties, shall be charged code enforcement fees by the city to defray its costs of code enforcement actions. Such fees shall not exceed the amount reasonably required to achieve this objective and are chargeable whether the city's code enforcement actions occur in the absence of formal administrative or judicial proceedings, as well as prior to, during, or subsequent to, the initiation of such proceedings.

(b)

The amount(s) or rate(s) of code enforcement fees for city personnel time and other resources that are used for code enforcement actions shall be established by resolution of the city council.

(c)

The city administrator, or a designee thereof, is authorized to adopt regulations for the uniform imposition of code enforcement fees, and for related administrative actions pertaining to such fees.

(d)

The fees imposed pursuant to this section shall be in addition to any other fees or charges that responsible persons may owe in accordance with any other provision of this code, or which are imposed pursuant to county, state or federal laws or regulations.

(e)

Code enforcement fees shall be recoverable in conjunction with any civil, administrative or criminal action to abate, cause the abatement or cessation of, or otherwise remove a violation or a public nuisance.

(f)

Failure to pay code enforcement fees shall constitute a debt that is collectible in any manner allowed by law.

(Ord. No. 622, § 1, 9-29-2009)