HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 3828 - Amend Chapter 1.18 of the Huntington Beach Huntington Beach Independent has been adjudged a newspaper of general
circulation in Huntington Beach and Orange County by Decree of the Superior
Court of Orange County,State of California,under date of Aug. 24, 1994,case
A50479.
PROOF OF CITY OF
PUBLICATION HUNTINGTON BEACH
LEGAL NOTICE
ORDINANCE NO.3828
Adopted by the City
Council on
STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) APRIL 200E
"AN ORDINANCE OF
THE CITY OF HUNTING-
) SSA TON BEACH,'AMENDING
CHAPTER 148 OF THE
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) MUNICIPAL C HUNCIPALCODE RELAT-
N BEACH;
ING TO ADMINISTRATIVE
CITATIONS';.
SYNOPSISe
am the Citizen of the United States and a WITH. INPUT FROM
SEVERAL DEPART.-
resident of the County aforesaid; I am over MENTS, MINOR MODIFI-
CATIONS HAVE BEEN
the age of eighteen years, and not a party MADE TO CHAPTER 1.18
OF THE MUNICIPAL
to or interested in the below entitled matter. I CODE DEALING WITH AD-
am a principal clerk of the HUNTINGTON j TI NS.THE FIR MODI-
FICATION TIONS. THE FIRST MODI-
BEACH INDEPENDENT, a newspaper of DISCRETION
PROVIDES
DISCRETION TO DIREC-
general circulation, printed and published in TORS of THE DEPART-
; MENT THAT ISSUED THE
CITATION:TO CANCEL IT
the City of Huntington Beach, County of WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF
ITS ISSUANCE UPON A
Orange, State of California, and the SHOWING of SPECIAL
CIRCUMSTANCES.
attached Notice Is a true and complete copy THE SECOND MODIFI-
CATION- STREAMLINES
as was printed and published on the THE PROCESS TO RE-
COVER DELINQUENT,CIV-
following date(s). IL FINES AND PENALTIES
AS LIENS OR :SPECIAL
ASSESSMENTS.. THE
CITY TREASURER, IN-
CONNECTION.'WITH THE
CITY ATTORNEY, WILL
CERTIFY THE AMOUNTS
SOUGHT IN COLLECTION
AND THEN TAKE THE
STEPS NECESSARY 'TO
RECORD THE LIEN WITH
THE COUNTY RECORDER,
A ril 16, 200E AND. REQUEST THE
p COUNTY TAX COLLEC-
TOR TO COLLECT THE
AMOUNT CERTIFIED..
PASSED AND ADOPTED
by the City Council of
the City of Huntington
Beach at a regular meet-
ing held April 6, 2009 by
the following roll call
vote: .
AYES: Carchio; Dwyer,
declare, under enalt of u , that the Green, Bohr, Coerper,
p Y p er J rY Hardy,Hansen
foregoing is true and correct. NOES:None
ABSTAIN:None {
ABSENT:None
THE FULL TEXT OF THE'
ORDINANCE IS AVAIL-1
ABLE IN THE CITY.
i. CLERK'S OFFICE.
Executed on April 16, 2009 This ordinance is effec-
tive 30 days after
at Costa Mesa, California adoption. . ,
CITY OF
HUNTINGTON BEACH .
- i 2000 MAIN STREET
HUNTINGTON BEACH,
CA 92648
714-536-5227 i
JOAN L.FLYNN,
Signature-' Published Huntington;
Beach Independent Aprill
16,2009 043-558
'"`}
I I
Council/Agency Meeting Held: ,3 fv
Deferred/Continued to: / la k�
�&App aved Ll Conditionally Approved L3 Denied Cityy erk' Signatuf
— t
Council Meeting Date: 3/16/09 Department ID Number: CA 09-02
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
SUBMITTED BY: JENNIFER McGRA ity Attorney
PREPARED BY: JENNIFER McGRA _ ity Attorney
SUBJECT: ADOPT ORDINANCE AMENDING TO CHAPTER 1.18 OF THE CITY
OF HUNTINGTON BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO
ADMINISTRATIVE CITATIONS
Statement of Issue,Funding Source,Recommended Action,Alternative Action(s),Analysis,Environmental Status,Attachment(s)
Statement of Issue: The City Attorney is recommending that Huntington Beach Municipal
Code Chapter 1.18 relating to administrative citations be amended as to Section
1.18.040(c)(1), allowing citations to be canceled within thirty days upon a showing of special
circumstances, and, Sections 1.18.150(c) - (f), which makes the City Treasurer responsible
to certify and correct delinquent fines, penalties and interest as a lien or special assessment.
Funding Source: No funds required.
Recommended Action: Motion to: Adopt Ordinance No. 3828, an Ordinance of the City
of Huntington Beach Amending Chapter 1.18 of the Huntington Beach Municipal Code
relating to administrative citations.
Alternative Action(s): Do not adopt Ordinance No. 3828.
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL, ACTION
MEETING DATE: 3/16/09 DEPARTMENT ID NUMBER: CA 09-02
Analysis: With input from several departments, minor modifications have been proposed
for Chapter 1.18 of the Municipal Code dealing with administrative citations. The first
modification, found in 1.18.040(c)(1), provides discretion to directors of the department that
issued the citation to cancel it within thirty days of its issuance upon a showing of special
circumstances. However, as proposed, a citation could not be cancelled if an administrative
hearing had been requested. Currently, there is no provision which provides this authority.
The provision would give departments greater flexibility in dealing with the wide variety of
circumstances they encounter.
The second modification, found in Sections 1.18.150(c) — (f), seeks to streamline the process
to recover delinquent civil fines and penalties as liens or special assessments. The City
Treasurer, in connection with the City Attorney, would certify the amounts sought in collection
and then take the steps necessary to record the lien with the County Recorder, and request
the County Tax Collector to collect the amount certified. Currently, the process is to go to the
City Council for certification.
Strategic Plan Goal: City Services: Provide staff with greater discretion in obtaining Code
compliance and a more streamlined process to collect money from those who have not paid
their fines and penalties in a timely fashion.
Environmental Status: Not applicable.
Attachment(s):
1. Ordinance No. 3828 . An Ordinance of the City of Huntington Beach
Amending Chapter 1.18 of the Huntington Beach Municipal Code
Related to Administrative Citations.
2. Le islative Draft of Chapter 1.18
3. Flow Chart for Processing Administrative Citations
-2- 3/9/2009 4:51 PM
ATTACHMENT # 1
ORDINANCE NO. 3828
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
AMENDING CHAPTER 1.18 OF THE HUNTINGTON BEACH MUNICIPAL
CODE RELATING TO ADMINISTRATIVE CITATIONS
The City Council of the City of Huntington Beach does hereby ordain as follows:
SECTION I. Section 1.18.040 of the Huntington Beach Municipal Code is hereby
amended to read as follows:
1.18.040 Administrative Citation for BuildinlZ Violation.
(a) When a citation is issued for a building violation, a thirty (30) day correction period shall be
provided for the correction of the violation and the citee shall correct the violation within
that period. Notwithstanding section 1.18.030, no responsible person for a building
violation shall be liable for a civil fine unless the violation continues after the 30 days
allowed for its correction (plus any extension) and he or she is issued a Notice of
Noncorrection.
(b) The citee of a building violation may request an extension of the correction period provided
that a request is filed with the Director of the Issuing Department before the 30-day period
ends. The Director may in his or her discretion grant a reasonable extension of the period of
time to correct the violation if the citee has supplied substantial evidence showing that the
correction cannot reasonably be made within the 30-day period. The Director's decision
shall be in writing and is final. The filing for such an extension does not, unless granted,
extend the 30-day correction period or any other time periods set by this chapter.
(c) If a building violation has not been corrected by the end of the correction period, the
Enforcement Officer has authority to issue to the responsible person a Notice of
Noncorrection. The citee to whom the Notice of Noncorrection is issued shall be liable for
and shall pay to the City the fine or fines described in the Notice of Noncorrection which
fine shall be due on the date the Notice of Noncorrection is issued. Additional citations may
be issued and fines imposed for every day the violation continues uncorrected from the date
the Notice of Noncorrection is issued and the citee shall be liable for and shall pay to the
City Treasurer any additional fine which shall be due on the date any new citation is issued.
(1) The Director of the Department that issued the citation may cancel a citation within
thirty (30) days of the citation date upon a showing of special circumstances if an
administrative hearing has not been requested under Section 1.18.100.
(d) If upon reinspection the Enforcement Officer determines the violation has been corrected, he or
she will issue a Notice of Decision to the citee indicating correction has been made.
22163
Ordinance No. 3828
SECTION 2. Section 1.18.150 of the Huntington Beach Municipal Code is hereby
amended to read as follows:
1.18.150 Collection of Unpaid Fines.
(a) The City Treasurer at his/her discretion may pursue any and all legal and equitable remedies
for the collection of unpaid fines, interest and penalties.
(1) Pursuit of one remedy does not preclude the pursuit of any other remedies until the
total fines, interest and penalties owed by a person under this chapter have been
collected.
(2) The City may refuse to issue, extend, or renew to any person, who has unpaid
delinquent fines, interest, penalties, liens or assessments, any City permit, license, or
other City services or approval pertaining to the property or person that is the subject of
the fine and citation.
(3) Any permit, license, or any type of land use approval issued by the City to a person
who has unpaid fines, interest and penalties totaling $1,000 or more that remain
delinquent for 30 days or longer shall automatically be suspended. The suspension
becomes effective 10 days after the day notice of the suspension is sent via certified,
U.S. mail,postage prepaid, addressed to the person, and continues until the
delinquency is paid in full. The person may request a review hearing pursuant to the
procedures in section 1.18.090 on the issue of delinquency, if the request is filed before
the 10 day period ends. Continuing to operate under a suspended permit, license or
approval shall be grounds for the revocation of the permit, license or approval.
(3397-7198,3630-02/04, 3751-11/06)
(4) The City Attorney, at his or her discretion, may also issue a criminal complaint to any
citee for a code violation when the applicable fine, interest or penalty has not been
paid.
(b) Any violation of this code shall constitute a nuisance. To compel code compliance, the City
may seek to abate the nuisance and collect the costs incurred by means of a nuisance
abatement lien and/or special assessment against the property where a property related
violation occurred in accordance with the procedures in Government Code sections 38773.1
and 38773.5. Any unpaid delinquent civil fines, interest and penalties may be recovered as
such a lien or special assessment against the property of the responsible person who is the
owner of the property where the violation occurred.
(c) To pursue an abatement of a code violation as a nuisance and recover any delinquent civil
fines, interest and penalties as a lien or special assessment, the following conditions must be
met:
(1) The City Treasurer in conjunction with the City Attorney must certify the amounts of
the liens and special assessments sought to be collected from each property owner; and
(2) The total amount of the delinquent fine, interest and penalty against the property owner
must be $250 or more and be delinquent for 60 days or more.
(d) The City Treasurer is authorized to take any steps necessary to enforce collection of the lien
or special assessment, including but not limited to the following:
22163
Ordinance No. 3828
(1) Request the County Recorder to record a notice of any lien or special assessment
certified by the City Treasurer.
(2) Request the County Tax Collector to collect any special assessments certified by the
City Treasurer.
The City Treasurer may pursue these remedies whether or not the City is pursuing any other
action to terminate an ongoing code violation that was the basis for the fine.
(e) All citations shall contain a notice that unpaid fines, interest and penalties are subject to the
assessment and,lien collection procedures of this section. This notice shall satisfy the notice
requirements of Government Code sections 38773.1 and 38773.5 when a citation is
personally served on the citee.
(f) The mother, father and the legal guardian if there is no living parent, of a citee who is a
minor shall be liable for any fines, penalties or interest or any other fees imposed upon the
minor pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. Any such amounts may be collected from
the minor or a parent or guardian.
SECTION 3. This ordinance shall become effective 30 days after its adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach at a
regular meeting thereof held on the 6th day of April , 2009
Iayor --
ATTEST: jAP7POVED AS TO FORM:
----
ry
City Clerk o!(JJ0;W)—
City Attorney Di:-o 2A 9.
REVIEWED APPROVED: ATED AND APPROVED:
City 4drEiistrator *) Ci�t Attorney .)-J4-( q
22163
Ord. No. 3828
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss:
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH )
I, JOAN L. FLYNN, the duly elected, qualified City Clerk of the City of
Huntington Beach, and ex-officio Clerk of the City Council of said City, do hereby
certify that the whole number of members of the City Council of the City of Huntington
Beach is seven; that the foregoing ordinance was read to said City Council at a regular
meeting thereof held on March 16, 2009, and was again read to said City Council at a
regular meeting thereof held on April 6, 2009, and was passed and adopted by the
affirmative vote of at least a majority of all the members of said City Council.
AYES: Carchio, Dwyer, Green, Bohr, Coerper, Hardy, Hansen
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
1,Joan L.Flynn,CITY CLERK of the City of Huntington
Beach and ex-officio Clerk of the City Council,do hereby
certify that a synopsis of this ordinance has been
published in the Huntington Beach Fountain Valley
Independent on April 16,2009.
In accordance with the City Charter of said City
Joan L. Flynn, City Clerk Ci Clerk and ex-officio erk
Senior Deputy City Clerk of the City Council of the City
of Huntington Beach, California
ATTAC'HM �ENT , #2 . . ,
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LEGISLATIVE DRAFT
ORDINANCE NO. 3828
Chanter 1.18
ADMINISTRATIVE CITATIONS
(3397-7/98,3630-02/04,3751-11/06)
Sections:
1.18.010 Applicability
1.18.020 Definitions
1.18.030 Administrative Citation
1.18.040 Citation for Building Violation
1.18.050 Citation Contents
1.18.060 Service of Citation
1.18.070 Amount of Civil Fines
1.18.080 Payment of Civil Fines
1.18.090 Preliminary Review
1.18.100 Request for Administrative Hearing
1.18.110 Waiver of Fine Deposit
1.18.120 Hearing Procedures
1.18.130 Administrative Hearing Decision
1.18.140 Right to Judicial Review
1.18.150 Collection of Unpaid Fines
1.18.010 Applicability.
(a) This chapter makes any violation of the provisions of this code subject to civil fine. (3397-7/98)
(b) This chapter establishes the administrative procedures for the imposition, enforcement,
collection, and administrative review of civil fines pursuant to Government Code section
53069.4 and the City's plenary police power under its charter. (3397-7/98)
(c) The issuance of an administrative citation under this chapter is solely at the City's discretion
and is one option the City has to address violations of this code. By adopting this chapter,
the City does not intend to limit its discretion to utilize any other remedy, civil or criminal,
for such violations that the City may select in a particular case. (3397-7/98)
(d) The purpose of issuing administrative citations pursuant to this chapter is to encourage
voluntary and complete compliance with the provisions of this code for the protection and
benefit of the entire community. (3397-7/98)
(e) Notwithstanding any lease, license or any other instrument or agreement,the owner of any
real property has the right to enter upon his or her own property to the extent reasonably
necessary to abate any nuisance or correct any violation of this code existing thereon. The
provisions of this subsection shall be an implied term of any instrument affecting the right to
possession of real property located in the City of Huntington Beach. (3397-7/98)
Huntington Beach Municipal Code Chapter 1.18 Page 1 of 11
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DELETIONS &Wil'o
(f) Because of the serious blighting conditions that can result affecting the residents'health and
safety, this chapter is intended to impose strict civil liability upon the owners and lessees of
real property for all building, housing, fire and health code and zoning violations that occur
upon the subject premises. (3397-7/98)
1.18.020 Definitions.
The following definitions apply to the use of these terms for the purposes of this chapter:
(a) Building Violation - Any violation of this code pertaining to building, plumbing, electrical,
or other similar structural or zoning regulations set forth in this code that does not create an
immediate danger to health or safety. (3397-7/98,3630-02/04)
(b) Citation - An administrative citation issued pursuant to this chapter. Citation includes a
Notice of Noncorrection unless the context clearly shows otherwise. (3397-7/98,3630-02/04)
(c) Citee - Person given an administrative citation charging him or her as a responsible person
for a code violation. (3397-7/98,3630-02/04)
(d) City Attorney—The City Attorney or his/her designee. (3630-02/04)
(e) City Treasurer—The City Treasurer or his/her designee. (3630-02/04)
(f) Enforcement officer- Any City employee or agent of the City designated by the Director of
any City department which has the authority and responsibility to enforce provisions of this
code. (3397-7/98,3630-02/04)
(g) Finance Director— Shall mean the Director of the City's Finance Department or his/her
designee. (3751-11/06)
(h) Hearing Officer- The person appointed by the City Administrator to serve as the Hearing
Officer for administrative hearings. Prior to conducting hearings the Hearing Officer must
first be certified by the City Attorney as qualified to provide a fair and impartial hearing
based on appropriate education, training and experience. (3397-7/98,3630-02/04,3751-11/06)
(1) Issued - Giving a citation to the citee and issuance occurs on the date when a citation is
personally served on the citee, the date it is mailed to the citee, or the date it is posted on
real property where a property related violation occurs. (3397-7/98,3630-02/04,3751-11/06)
0) Issuing department - The City department that has the authority and responsibility for
enforcing the code section(s) designated on a citation as having been violated. (3397-7/98,
3630-02/04,3751-11/06)
(k) Notice of Noncorrection - A reissuance of an original citation for a building violation which
notes a violation(s) on the original citation has not been corrected within the applicable
correction period. (3397-7/98,3630-02/04, 3751-11/06)
(1) Responsible person - A responsible person is any of the following: (3397-7/98,3630-02/04,
3751-11/06)
(1) A person who causes a code violation to occur. (3397-7/98)
(2) A person who maintains or allows a code violation to continue, by his or her action or
failure to act. (3397-7/98)
Huntington Beach Municipal Code Chapter 1.18 Page 2 of I I
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DELETIONS atrikt �
(3) A person whose agent, employee, or independent contractor causes a code violation by
its action or failure to act. (3397-7/98)
(4) A person who is the owner of, and a person who is a lessee or sublessee with the
current right of possession of,real property where a property related code violation
occurs. (3397-7/98)
(5) A person who is the on-site manager of a business who normally works daily at the
site when the business is open and is responsible for the activities at such premises.
(3397-7/98)
For purposes of this subdivision "person" includes a natural person or legal entity, and the
owners, majority stockholders, corporate officers, trustees, and general partners of a legal
entity. (3397-7/98)
There shall be a legal rebuttable presumption that the record owner of a parcel according to
the County's latest equalized property tax assessment rolls and a lessee or sublessee of a
parcel has notice of any code violation existing on the premises. (3397-7/98)
For the purposes of this chapter, there may be more than one responsible person for a code
violation, and a minor at least 14 years of age may be a responsible person subject to the
provisions of this chapter. (3397-7/98)
1.18.030 Administrative Citation for Non-buildinp,Violation.
(a) Any Enforcement Officer upon determining that a provision of this code, which he or she is
charged to enforce, has been violated has the authority to issue an administrative citation to
any responsible person or persons. An Enforcement Officer may issue a citation for a
violation the officer did not see occur if the officer has determined through investigation that
the responsible person did commit the violation. A responsible person to whom a citation is
issued shall be liable for and shall pay to the City Treasurer the fine or fines described in the
citation when due pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. (3397-7/98,3751-11/06)
(b) Each day a violation of this code exists shall be a separate violation and be subject to a
separate fine. A citation may charge a violation for one or more days on which a violation
exists, and for violation of one or more code sections. (3397-7/98,3630-02/04)
(c) The City may take into consideration the fact that a person has been issued citations when
the City is determining whether to grant, suspend, revoke, or deny any permit,license, or
any type of land use approval for the person and such citations are evidence that the person
has committed acts that are not compatible with the health, safety and general welfare of
other persons and businesses in the vicinity. (3397-7/98,3630-2/04)
1.18.040 Administrative Citation for Building Violation.
(a) When a citation is issued for a building violation, a thirty (30) day correction period shall be
provided for the correction of the violation and the citee shall correct the violation within
that period. Notwithstanding section 1.18.030, no responsible person for a building
violation shall be liable for a civil fine unless the violation continues after the 30 days
allowed for its correction (plus any extension) and he or she is issued a Notice of
Noncorrection. (3397-7198)
Huntington Beach Municipal Code Chapter 1.I S Page 3 of I l
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(b) The citee of a building violation may request an extension of the correction period provided
that a request is filed with the Director of the Issuing Department before the 30-day period
ends. The Director may in his or her discretion grant a reasonable extension of the period of
time to correct the violation if the citee has supplied substantial evidence showing that the
correction cannot reasonably be made within the 30-day period. The Director's decision
shall be in writing and is final. The filing for such an extension does not, unless granted,
extend the 30-day correction period or any other time periods set by this chapter. (3397-7/98)
(c) If a building violation has not been corrected by the end of the correction period, the
Enforcement Officer has authority to issue to the responsible person a Notice of
Noncorrection. The citee to whom the Notice of Noncorrection is issued shall be liable for
and shall pay to the City the fine or fines described in the Notice of Noncorrection which
fine shall be due on the date the Notice of Noncorrection is issued. Additional citations may
be issued and fines imposed for every day the violation continues uncorrected from the date
the Notice of Noncorrection is issued and the citee shall be liable for and shall pay to the
City Treasurer any additional fine which shall be due on the date any new citation is issued.
(3397-7/98,3751-11/06)
(1) The Director of the Department that issued the citation may cancel a citation within thirty
30) days of the citation date upon a showing of special circumstances if an administrative
hearing has not been requested under Section 1.18.100.
(d) If upon reinspection the Enforcement Officer determines the violation has been corrected,he or
she will issue a Notice of Decision to the citee indicating correction has been made. (3397-7/98)
1.18.050 Citation Contents.
(a) Each administrative citation shall contain the following information: (3397-7/98)
(1) Name of the responsible person for the violation of this code. (3397-7/98)
(2) Date on which an inspection established the code violation. (3397-7/98)
(3) Issuing department for the code section(s) violated. (3397-7/98)
(4) The code section violated. (3397-7/98)
(5) Address where the code violation occurred. (3397-7/98)
(6) Description of the violation established by inspection. (3397-7/98)
(7) Amount of the fine for the violation and procedure to pay the fine and avoid a late
payment penalty. (3397-7/98)
(8) Designation of a building violation (if applicable), date the 30-day correction period
expires, and how to request an extension of that period, and designation of a Notice of
Noncorrection for a building violation that has not been corrected. (3397-7/98)
(9) Designation of any prior citations, issued for the same code violations, if known. (3397-7/98)
(10) Description of the procedure for requesting a Waiver of Fine Deposit and/or an
Administrative Hearing to contest a citation. (3397-7/98)
Huntington Beach Municipal Code Chapter 1.18 Page 4 of 1 I
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(11) A notice that the code violation is a nuisance and that collection of unpaid fines and/or
nuisance abatement costs can be enforced as an assessment or lien against the property
where a property related code violation occurs and that unpaid assessments can result
in the property being sold after three years by the County Assessor as set forth in
section 1.18.150 of this code. (3397-7/98,3630-02/04)
(12) Signature of the Enforcement Officer issuing the citation. (3397-7/98,3630-02/04)
(13) Date the citation is issued. (3397-7/98,3630-02/04)
(14) Any other information deemed necessary by the City Attorney, City Treasurer or
Finance Director for enforcement or collection purposes. (3397-7/98,3630-02/04,3751-11/06)
1.18.060 Service of Citation. A citation may be served as follows:
(a) An Enforcement Officer may personally serve the citation on the citee. The citee is required
to sign a copy of the citation showing his or her receipt of the citation. (3397-7/98)
(b) An Enforcement Officer may mail the citation by certified mail. The citation shall be
mailed to the citee's address shown on the county's last equalized property tax assessment
rolls for a property related violation, or to any address known for the citee for all other
violations. (3397-7/98,3630-02/04)
(c) An Enforcement Officer may post the property in a conspicuous place with a copy of the
citation when the citee resides at an unknown address other than where the violation occurs.
A copy of the citation shall also be mailed via certified mail to the citee at the property
address. (3397-7/98,3630-02/04)
1.18.070 Amount of Civil Fines.
(a) The amount of the fines for violating particular provisions of this code shall be set in a
schedule of fines adopted by resolution by the City Council. The schedule may include
escalating fine amounts for repeat code violations occurring within specified periods of
time. (3397-7/98)
(b) The schedule of fines may also specify the amount of interest, late payment penalty, and
processing fee owed for any fine not paid when due. A late payment penalty and interest
shall be owed for fines not paid within 30 days of the date of issuance of the citation. (3397-
7/98,3630-02/04)
(c) Fines are due on the day the citation is issued, except (1) fines for building violations shall
be due on the day the Notice of Noncorrection is issued and (ii) when a fine deposit has
been waived pursuant to section 1.18.110 and the Hearing Officer upholds the citation, the
fine shall be due on the date the decision is made and personally served on the citee or the
date the decision is mailed to the citee. (3397-7/98)
1.18.080 Payment of Civil Fines.
(a) Fines shall be paid to and received by the City Treasurer within 30 days of the date of
issuance of the citation. (3397-7/98,3630-02/04)
Huntington Beach Municipal Code Chapter 1.18 Page 5 of I I
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(b) Payment of a fine shall not excuse the citee from correcting the code violation. The
issuance of a citation and/or payment of a fine does not bar the City from taking any other
enforcement action regarding a code violation that is not corrected, including issuing
additional administrative citations and/or criminal complaints. (3397-7/98)
1.18.090 Preliminary Review.
(a) A person issued an administrative citation may request a Preliminary Review, if the request
is made within 14 days of the date the citation is issued. A Notice of Noncorrection of a
building violation shall not be subject to a request for Preliminary Review. (3397-7/98)
(b) To obtain a review, the citee shall go to the City government building where the Issuing
Department is located. The citee must present a copy of the citation and a completed and signed
request form stating the reasons why there was no violation or why he or she is not a responsible
person for the violation. All requests shall be date stamped upon receipt. (3397-7/98)
(c) The Preliminary Review shall be conducted by a City employee designated by the Director
of the Issuing Department. The reviewer shall not be the Enforcement Officer who issued
the citation. The purpose of the review is to uncover and cancel any mistakenly issued
citations due to errors that are easily verifiable, and not to resolve factual disputes
concerning the violation that is the subject of the citation. (3397-7/98)
(d) The Preliminary Review will be decided at the time the request is filed if reasonably
practical as determined by the reviewer. It shall consist of a review of the citation and the
written request form and any other evidence submitted at the time of the request by the citee
and, at the discretion of the reviewer, any other related information. Where the review is not
completed within 5 working days of receipt of the request, the request shall be deemed
denied. (3397-7/98)
(e) The citee shall be notified of the results of the review by being given a Notice of Decision
form stating the review decision. The citee may also be given additional notice by
telephone or facsimile when practicable. (3397-7i98)
(f) A request for Preliminary Review does not extend any time periods for compliance,
including the fine due date, the time any correction period ends, and the time to request an
Administrative Hearing. (3397-7/98)
(g) If the reviewer concludes that no code violation occurred or that the citee was not
responsible for the violation, the citation shall be canceled. (3397-7i98)
1.18.100 Request for Administrative Hearin.
(a) Any person receiving an administrative citation may contest it by filing a request for an
Administrative Hearing, except that a hearing for a building violation may not be requested
unless and until a Notice of Noncorrection is issued. To obtain a hearing, the citee shall file
a signed written request form contained on the reverse side of the citation and indicate the
grounds for contesting the citation and fine. A citee may contest the citation by denying that
a violation occurred,by denying that it was not corrected within the correction period, if
applicable, or by denying that the citee is a responsible person for the violation. (3397-7/98)
(b) To be effective and complete, the request must be received by the City Attorney within 30
days of the date the citation was issued, and be accompanied by evidence of payment of the
full amount of the fine. Where a request and fine deposit are mailed by the citee, the request
Huntington Beach Municipal Code Chapter 1.18 Page 6 of I I
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and fine deposit shall be deemed filed on the date received by the City Treasurer. All
requests shall be date stamped upon receipt. (3397-7/98,3630-02/04)
(c) The person requesting the Administrative Hearing may file a written declaration with the
City Attorney before the hearing or personally attend the hearing on the date, time and place
specified by the City Attorney. A failure to file a written declaration before the hearing or
personally attend the hearing will be considered a non-appearance. Non-appearance by the
citee shall constitute an abandonment of the request, unless the hearing was continued
pursuant to section 1.18.1 20(f). (3397-7/98,3630-02/04)
1.18.110 Waiver of Fine Deposit.
(a) A person who files a request for an Administrative Hearing may also request at the same
time a hardship waiver of the fine deposit. To seek such a waiver and obtain a separate
hearing on the request, the citee must check the box indicating this request on the form
contained on the reverse side of the citation and attach a statement of the grounds for the
request. To be effective, this form requesting the waiver and the Administrative Hearing
must be received by the City Attorney within 30 days of the date the citation is issued.
(3397-7/98,3630-02/04)
(b) The person requesting the waiver bears the burden of establishing by substantial evidence
that he or she does not have the financial ability to make the deposit of the fine. The citee
shall appear at the hearing as set by the City Attorney's office or file a written declaration
with the City Attorney prior to the hearing. A failure to file a written declaration before the
hearing or personally attend the hearing will be considered a non-appearance. Non-
appearance shall constitute an abandonment of both the requests unless the hearing was
continued pursuant to section 1.18.1 20(f). (3397-7/98,3630-02/04)
(c) The waiver request will be decided by the Hearing Officer at a separate hearing before the
Administrative Hearing on the contest of the citation. At the conclusion of the hearing on
the waiver request, the Hearing Officer shall issue a decision that the fine deposit is or is not
waived. A copy of the Notice of Decision shall be delivered to the citee at the end of the
hearing on the waiver request. (3397-7/98, 3630-02/04)
(d) If the waiver is denied, the citee shall pay the fine amount within fourteen days to the City
Treasurer. Failure to make the deposit by the time required shall be deemed an
abandonment of the contest. Upon receipt of the fine amount, the administrative hearing to
contest the citation shall be set pursuant to Huntington Beach Municipal Code §1.18.120.
(3397-7/98,3630-02/04,3751-11/06)
(e) The filing of a request for hardship waiver of the fine deposit does not extend any time
periods set forth in this chapter, except the time when the fine deposit must be made. The
Hearing Officer's decision on the waiver request is final and not subject to an appeal
pursuant to section 1.18.140. (3397-7/98,3630-02/04)
1.18.120 Hearinp, Procedures.
(a) The hearing shall be conducted by a Hearing Officer on the date, time and place specified by
the City Attorney. (3397-7/98,3630-02/04)
(b) The City Attorney shall ensure that the pertinent citation records are delivered to the
Hearing Officer for a citation set for a hearing, including information showing all fine
deposits and waivers granted. The City Attorney shall also make available to the citee
Huntington Beach Municipal Code Chapter 1.18 Page 7 of 1 I
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before the hearing a copy of any additional reports concerning the citation that are provided
to the Hearing Officer. (3397-7/98,3630-02/04)
(c) The citee shall be given the opportunity to testify and to present evidence relevant to the
code violation specified in the citation. A parent or legal guardian of a citee who is a minor,
under 18 years of age, shall accompany the citee. (3397-7/98,3630-02/04)
(d) The citation and any other reports prepared by the Enforcement Officer, or at his or her
request, concerning the code violation or attempted correction of the code violation that are
provided to the Hearing Officer shall be accepted by the Hearing Officer as prima facie
evidence of the code violation and the facts stated in such documents.(3397-7/98)
(e) Neither the Enforcement Officer nor any other representative of the City shall be required to
attend the hearing, nor shall the Hearing Officer require that there be submitted any
evidence, other than the citation, that may exist among the public records of the City on the
violation. However, any such appearance and/or submission may be made at the discretion
of the Enforcement Officer or any City employee or agent. (3397-7/98)
(f) The Hearing Officer may continue a hearing if a request is made showing good cause by the
citee or a representative of the City. All continuance requests shall either: (i)be made in
person at the hearing by the citee or his or her representative if the citee is physically unable
to attend, or(ii) be made by a written request received by the City Attorney at least 24 hours
before the hearing date. If the continuance is granted, a new hearing date shall be set within
45 days. If the continuance is denied, the hearing shall proceed then and there as scheduled,
and if the citee is not present the request(s) shall be deemed abandoned in accordance with
subsection H below. The Hearing Officer's decision is final and he or she shall either
personally give the Notice of Decision to the citee or the representative if present at the end
of the hearing or request that the notice be mailed by the City Attorney. (3397-7/98,3630-02/04)
(g) The hearing shall be conducted informally and the legal rules of evidence need not be
followed. The Hearing Officer does not have the authority to issue a subpoena. (3397-7/98)
(h) The failure of the citee to appear at the hearing, unless the hearing was continued per
subsection (f) above, shall constitute an abandonment of the request for waiver of the fine
deposit and/or the contest, and.a failure to exhaust administrative remedies concerning the
violation set forth in the citation. The fine deposit shall be credited by the City upon the
fine due for the violation. The failure to appear by the citee shall be noted on the Notice of
Decision by the Hearing Officer which will be mailed to the citee by the City Attorney.
(3397-7/98,3630-02/04)
1.18.130 Administrative Hearinjj Decision.
(a) After considering all the evidence and testimony submitted at the administrative hearing, the
Hearing Officer shall issue a written decision to uphold or cancel the citation. The Hearing
Officer has no discretion or authority to reduce or modify the amount of any fine. The
decision will be made on a Notice of Decision form and will state the reasons and evidence
considered for the decision. The decision of the Hearing Officer shall be made at the
conclusion of the hearing and shall be final. The Notice of Decision for the Administrative
Hearing shall be personally delivered to the citee at the conclusion of the hearing. (3397-7/98)
(b) If the decision is to uphold the citation, the City shall keep the fine deposited as payment
upon the fine due. If the decision is to cancel the citation, the Finance Director shall refund
the fine deposit to the citee within 30 days of the filing of the decision. If the citation is
upheld and the fine deposit has been waived, the fine shall be due to the City Treasurer on
Huntington Beach Municipal Code Chapter 1.18 Page 8 of 1 1
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the date the decision is given to the citee at the end of the hearing by the Hearing Officer.
(3397-7/98, 3751-11/06)
(c) The Hearing Officer's continued employment, performance evaluation, compensation, and
benefits shall not directly or indirectly be linked to the amount of citations upheld or
canceled by the officer. (3397-7/98)
1.18.140 Rip-ht to Judicial Review.
(a) The citee may seek judicial review of the Administrative Hearing decision by filing an
appeal with the West Justice Center of the Superior Court within 20 calendar days after the
citee receives a copy of the Notice of Decision at the conclusion of the hearing in
accordance with the provisions of California Government Code section 53069.4. The
appeal filed with the court must also contain a proof of service showing a copy of the appeal
was served upon "City of Huntington Beach (Attention: City Attorney)." The citee must
pay to the West Justice Center a $25 filing fee when the appeal is filed. (3397-7/98, 3630-02/04)
(b) No appeal is permitted from a decision on a request for preliminary review, or an extension
of the 30-day correction period for building violations, or a request for waiver of the fine
deposit, or where the citee is deemed to have abandoned the contest of the citation by an
unexcused nonappearance at the hearing or failure to deposit the fine. (3397-7/98)
(c) The City Attorney, shall forward to the Court within 15 days of its request, the pertinent
citation documents for any case appealed to that court. If the Court cancels any citation, the
City Treasurer will refund any fine deposit made and the$25 appeal filing fee. (3397-7/98,
3630-02/04,3751-11/06)
1.18.150 Collection of Unpaid Fines.
(a) The City Treasurer at his/her discretion may pursue any and all legal and equitable remedies
for the collection of unpaid fines, interest and penalties. (3751-11/06)
(1) Pursuit of one remedy does not preclude the pursuit of any other remedies until the
total fines, interest and penalties owed by a person under this chapter have been
collected.
(2) The City may refuse to issue, extend, or renew to any person, who has unpaid
delinquent fines, interest, penalties, liens or assessments, any City permit, license, or
other City services or approval pertaining to the property or person that is the subject of
the fine and citation. (3751-11/06)
(3) Any permit, license, or any type of land use approval issued by the City to a person
who has unpaid fines, interest and penalties totaling$1,000 or more that remain
delinquent for 30 days or longer shall automatically be suspended. The suspension
becomes effective 10 days after the day notice of the suspension is sent via certified,
U.S. mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the person, and continues until the
delinquency is paid in full. The person may request a review hearing pursuant to the
procedures in section 1.18.090 on the issue of delinquency, if the request is filed before
the 10 day period ends. Continuing to operate under a suspended permit, license or
approval shall be grounds for the revocation of the permit, license or approval.
(3397-7/98,3630-02/04,3751-11/06)
Huntington Beach Municipal Code Chapter 1.18 Page 9 of 1 I
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(4) The City Attorney, at his or her discretion, may also issue a criminal complaint to any
citee for a code violation when the applicable fine, interest or penalty has not been
paid.
(b) Any violation of this code shall constitute a nuisance. To compel code compliance, the City
may seek to abate the nuisance and collect the costs incurred by means of a nuisance
abatement lien and/or special assessment against the property where a property related
violation occurred in accordance with the procedures in Government Code sections 38773.1
and 38773.5. Any unpaid delinquent civil fines, interest and penalties maybe recovered as
such a lien or special assessment against the property of the responsible person who is the
owner of the property where the violation occurred.
(c) To pursue an abatement of a code violation as a nuisance and recover any delinquent civil
fines, interest and penalties as a lien or special assessment, the following conditions must be
met:
(1) The City Treasurer in conjunction with the City Attorney must r„bfflit to and feeeiv
p^m the Ci*y ^tmei' a f esolution ^ofi ,.r certify the amounts of the liens and special
assessments sought to be collected from each property owner; and (3751-11/06)
(2) The total amount of the delinquent fine, interest and penalty against the property owner
must be $250 or more and be delinquent for 60 days or more.
(d) The City Treasurer is authorized to take any steps necessary to enforce collection of the lien
or special assessment, including but not limited to the following:
(1) Request the County Recorder to record a notice of any lien or special assessment
certified by the City GouneilTreasurer.
(2) Request the County Tax Collector to collect any special assessments certified by the
City C-6uneilTreasurer.
The City Treasurer may pursue these remedies whether or not the City is pursuing any other
action to terminate an ongoing code violation that was the basis for the fine.
(e) All citations shall contain a notice that unpaid fines, interest and penalties are subject to the
assessment and lien collection procedures of this section. This notice shall satisfy the notice
requirements of Government Code sections 38773.1 and 38773.5 when a citation is
( personally served on the citee. it addition, the Git y Gl eFk shall by first el ass mail send
to eaeh propei4y owner- at least 10 days bef6fe the City Cotineil eensidefs the
feselution to eeftify the amounts of the liens and speeial assessments stating the date,
and laeation of the tneeting. The lien or-speeial assessffient shall be imposed on the date the
upon the Fee0f7ding of a Nefiee of Lien of Speeial Assessment by the County Reeer-deF.
(f) A eitee may eentest the amount and/er-validity of any lien or- speeiiall assessment fOF a eiVil
fine at the p4lie hearing when the Gity Gotineil eansidefs the fesointion to eeffif�,the liens-
and assessffients. Sideh eentests by a eitee shall be limited to the afflatint of the lien o
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{g� f The mother, father and the legal guardian if there is no living parent, of a citee who is a
minor shall be liable for any fines, penalties or interest or any other fees imposed upon the
minor pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. Any such amounts may be collected from
the minor or a parent or guardian.
Huntington Beach Municipal Code Chapter 1.18 Page 11 of I I
ATT ACHM
ENT #3
Administrative Citations
Complaint
(oral or written)
No Violation —
Matter Closed
Investigation/Inspect
Review Facts & Circumstances
• Identify responsible party
Violation Confirmed • Identify violations to be corrected
• Determine correct date
Notice to responsible party
•Advise Orally
-Issue written notice of violation
Reinspection
-Corrected—matter closed
-Not corrected—2"d notice of violation
or proceed to citation
Non-building:
-identify responsible party Re-inspection: If corrected, close;
Administrative Citations -Identify violations to be corrected c not, issue further citations until
-Determine correction date compliance or refer to City
•Level of fine Attorney
-Serve citation
Building Violation: Re-inspection: If corrected, close;
Must provide initial 30-day If not, continue citations or refer
Correction period,which can be to City Attorney
extended.
-Filed with issuing department
-Review conducted by director-
Preliminary Review: designated City employee
Eligible if request is made within -Review facts/circumstances
14 days of citation date. • Issue decision
-Does not extend time for compli-
ance correction date or hearing
request deadline
Cancellation:
Director may cancel within 30 days
Upon showing of special circum-
stances if administrative appeal
not requested.
Must file appeal within 30 days of
Administrative Appeal citation date
Must pay full amount of fine up front
Unless waiver fine deposit
Hearing with hearing officer in
Accordance with hearing procedures
Hearing officer issues decision
May seek review of administrative
Judical Review Appeal decision in Superior Court
F
ust file appeal with Court within
0 days after receipt of notice of decision
Treasurer enforces collection of lien
Collection of Unpaid Fines Against property where property-related
violation
Send to collections for others
RCA ROUTING SHEET
INITIATING DEPARTMENT: CITY ATTORNEY
SUBJECT: ADOPT ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 1.18 OF THE
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE
RELATING TO ADMINISTRATIVE CITATIONS
COUNCIL MEETING DATE: March 16,2009
RCA ATTAC HM ENT ; STATUS
Ordinance (w/exhibits & legislative draft if applicable) Attached ❑
Not Applicable ❑
Resolution (w/exhibits & legislative draft if applicable) Attached ❑
Not Applicable ❑
Tract Map, Location Map and/or other Exhibits Attached ❑
Not Applicable ❑
Contract/Agreement (w/exhibits if applicable) Attached ❑
(Signed in full by the City Attorney) Not Applicable ❑
Subleases, Third Party Agreements, etc. Attached ❑
(Approved as to form by City Attorney) Not Applicable ❑
Certificates of Insurance (Approved by the City Attorney) Attached ❑
Not Applicable ❑
Fiscal Impact Statement (Unbudgeted, over $5,000) Attached ❑
Not Applicable ❑
Bonds (If applicable) Attached ❑
Not Applicable ❑
Staff Report (If applicable) Attached ❑
Not Applicable ❑
Commission, Board or Committee Report (If applicable) Attached ❑
Not Applicable ❑
Findings/Conditions for Approval and/or Denial Attached ❑
Not Applicable ❑
EXPLANATION FOR MISS.ING;,/ TTACIMEiVTS'
I�EVIEIED RE`T ;NEED �OFt` A DED
Administrative Staff
Deputy City Administrator Initial
City Administrator (Initial) ( ) ( )
City Clerk
.. LANATI`ON FOR RETURN OF ITEM:
e4Aq-e
sSS6ace ForOnly)
RCA Author: JM