Title
Planning and Building Department, Code Enforcement Division, recommending the Board receive and file the first-year update on the Code Enforcement Amnesty Program and provide direction if necessary.
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On September 19, 2023 (Legistar file 23-1118) the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved a Code Enforcement Amnesty Program (Program) for certain types of qualifying code enforcement cases. The Board requested at the close of the first year of the Program, Code Enforcement staff to return to the Board to present the findings from the first year of the Program and discuss any necessary amendments needed and to discuss the challenges and opportunities observed since implementation.
The attached Staff Memo (Attachment A) provides details of the Program and findings, including but not limited to; eligibility/types of code cases that qualify, fees to be waived, pre-site inspections and their costs, application of relevant building codes, and coordination between El Dorado County staff and Code Enforcement staff.
ALTERNATIVES
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PRIOR BOARD ACTION
On October 11, 2022 (Legistar file 22-1764), the Board received and filed a presentation on Code Enforcement activities and procedures, and to explore concepts for amnesty programs and return to the Board by February 2023 with recommendations.
On March 7, 2023 (Legistar file 23-0410), the Board received a presentation from Code Enforcement staff to provide information on how other jurisdictions operate their Amnesty programs and provided staff feedback to return to the Board within 90 days with a County Code Enforcement Amnesty Program encompassing the Board’s feedback.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION/ COMMENTS
Receive and file as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to Net County Cost for this item. The Amnesty Program does result in the loss of investigative fees assessed on property owners who were cited for unpermitted work and have applied for a permit to fix the violation(s). Any fees not captured by new inspections will be a cost to the General Fund. The Department does charge a $107 pre-inspection fee but this fee will not cover the cost of the fees waived per this Program.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
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CONTACT
Nick Heuer, Acting Code Enforcement Supervisor
Planning and Building Department