Title
Planning and Building Department, Code Enforcement Division, recommending the Board receive and file the second-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.
On January 7, 2025, (Legistar file 25-0013) the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved to file the first-year update on the Code Enforcement Amnesty Program and direct staff to explore expired permits, date of construction options and how other jurisdictions are implementing the program
The attached Staff Memo (Attachment A) provides details of the Program and findings from the past year, including but not limited to; expired permits, date of construction options, and how other jurisdictions are implementing their programs, as well as coordination between El Dorado County staff and Code Enforcement staff.
ALTERNATIVES
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PRIOR BOARD ACTION
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.
March 7, 2023 Legistar file23-0410, 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.
September 19, 2023, Legistar file 23-1118, the Board approved the Code Enforcement Amnesty Program.
January 7, 2025, Legistar file 25-0013, the Board received and filed a presentation from Code Enforcement staff for a first-year update on the Code Enforcement Amnesty program and directed staff to return to the Board in a year to explore expired permits, date of construction options, and how other jurisdiction’s amnesty programs are working.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION/ COMMENTS
Receive and file the presentation and provide direction as requested.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The Amnesty Program results in the loss of Code Enforcement investigative fees assessed against property owners who were cited for unpermitted work and have applied for a permit to correct the violation(s). Any fees not captured by new inspections will be a cost to the General Fund. The Department charges a $148 pre-inspection fee, but this fee will not cover the cost of the fees waived under this Program. The potential loss of revenue is relatively small and can be absorbed within the FY 2025/26 budget.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
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STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
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CONTACT
Nick Heuer, Acting Code Enforcement Supervisor
Planning and Building Department