The Sacramento County Community Development Department is hereby authorized and directed to administer and enforce the Housing Code. For such purposes, the Director shall have the powers of a law enforcement officer.
(SCC 0934 § 4, 1993; SCC 1075 § 3, 1997; SCC 1707 § 1, 2022)
The Director may approve and adopt those regulations which are consistent with the purposes, intent, and express terms of this chapter as deemed necessary to implement such purposes, intent, and express terms. The Director shall also have the power to render interpretations of this chapter and its regulations in order to clarify the application of its provisions. Such interpretations shall be in conformity with the intent and purpose of this chapter.
(SCC 0934 § 4, 1993; SCC 1707 § 1, 2022)
A. 
The Director, subject to the consent given by an occupant who reasonably appears to be at least 16 years of age, has authority to enter and inspect any dwelling or premises whenever necessary to secure compliance with, or prevent a violation of, any provision of this chapter and any regulation adopted pursuant to Section 16.20.205 of this chapter. In the event consent of the occupant is not available, the Director may obtain an inspection warrant pursuant to the provisions set forth in Code of Civil Procedure (commencing at Section 1822.50).
B. 
The owner, authorized agent of any owner, or any of the parties in interest of any dwelling, or portion thereof, may enter the dwelling, subject to the consent of the occupant, whenever necessary to carry out any instructions, or perform any work required to be done pursuant to this chapter and any regulation adopted pursuant to Section 16.20.205 of this chapter.
(SCC 0934 § 4, 1993; SCC 1707 § 1, 2022)
A. 
Based upon the nature of the substandard conditions of the dwelling, lack of progress toward compliance, or uncollected costs incurred to the County in pursuing abatement of the substandard conditions, the Director may, at their discretion, file in the office of the Sacramento County Recorder a notice describing the property and certifying: (i) the dwelling or portion thereof is a nuisance as defined in this chapter; and (ii) the owner has been so notified.
B. 
Whenever the repairs ordered shall thereafter have been completed or the dwelling demolished so it no longer exists as a nuisance on the property described in the Notice of Pending Enforcement Action, and all costs associated therewith finally settled, the Director shall file a new notice with the Sacramento County Recorder certifying the dwelling or portion thereof has been repaired or demolished and the dwelling or portion thereof is no longer a nuisance, whichever is appropriate under the circumstances.
(SCC 1707 § 1, 2022)
A. 
The remedies provided in this chapter are cumulative, and shall be in addition to any other remedies provided by law.
B. 
Any person violating this chapter may be charged with an infraction or misdemeanor offense, and/or administrative penalty as provided in Sections 16.18.205, 16.18.206 and 16.18.207 of Chapter 16.18 of this Code.
C. 
The County may seek, in addition to all other remedies available at law, criminal sanctions, contempt and other penalties provided for under Chapter 6, Division 1.5 of the Health and Safety Code (commencing at Section 17995).
D. 
Each person violating this chapter shall be guilty of a separate offense for each and every day during any portion of which any violation of any provision of this chapter or a failure to comply with any regulation adopted pursuant to Section 16.20.205 is committed, continued, or permitted by any such person. Any violation which persists for more than one day is deemed a continuing violation for the purpose of this chapter.
E. 
In addition to any penalty, sanction, fine, or imprisonment, each person who violates the provisions of this chapter, or who is convicted of any violation of any provision of this chapter, or who fails to comply with any regulation adopted pursuant to Section 16.20.205, shall be required to pay any and all expenses of enforcement including those costs necessary to bring the dwelling, building, or portion thereof into compliance with this chapter and any regulation adopted pursuant to Section 16.20.205. In addition to all remedies herein contained, the County may pursue all reasonable and legal means in collecting those sums authorized and due.
F. 
In addition to those remedies provided in this chapter, and any other remedies provided by law, when a violation of this chapter occurs, the County may seek a court order preventing the owner from claiming any deduction with respect to state taxes for interest, taxes, expenses, depreciation, or amortization paid in association with the cited dwelling in accordance with the provisions of Health and Safety Code Section 17980.7(b) and Revenue and Taxation Code Sections 17274 and 24436.5.
G. 
In addition to those remedies in this chapter, and any other remedies provided by law, when a violation of this chapter occurs, the County may seek a court order appointing a receiver to do those tasks and have the powers set forth in Health and Safety Code Section 17980.7(c).
H. 
In addition to those remedies in this chapter, and any other remedies provided by law, when a violation of this chapter occurs, the County may seek a court order requiring the owner to pay reasonable relocation benefits to each lawful tenant as set forth in Health and Safety Code Section 17980.7(d).
I. 
When proceedings under this chapter result in the correction of a violation of this chapter or in a final judgment affirming a violation exists subsequent to the date specified in any notice issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, all costs of such proceedings and abatement incurred by the County may be assessed against the property. Such costs may include, but not by way of limitation, those incurred in inspecting property, publication, mailing, and posting of notices, conducting hearings, processing and defending challenges to decisions or actions and pursuing any judicial action. Further, the County may seek an order allowing for the assessment against the property of costs of proceedings if following receipt of notice, a violation is corrected in any manner. Said order shall be obtained pursuant to Article 10 of Chapter 16.18 of this Code.
J. 
Pursuant to Government Code Section 25845, attorneys' fees may be recovered by the prevailing party. However, in no action, administrative proceeding, or special proceeding, shall an award of attorneys' fees to a prevailing party exceed the amount of reasonable attorneys' fees incurred by the County in the action or proceeding.
(SCC 1707 § 1, 2022)