For the purposes of this chapter, except as otherwise provided herein, certain words, phrases and terms, and their derivatives, shall be construed as specified in this chapter. Words, phrases and terms used in this chapter, but not specifically defined herein, shall have the meanings stated in the currently adopted regulatory codes of the city, including the California Building Code, the Uniform Housing Code, the California Plumbing Code, the California Mechanical Code, the California Electrical Code, and the Uniform Fire Code. Where not defined in this chapter or in the foregoing codes, such words, phrases and terms shall have the meanings stated in Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language, Unabridged, Second Edition. For purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases are defined as set forth below:
Administrative Citation.
A written notice of violation of a provision of the El Cajon Municipal Code, which includes the imposition of an administrative fine.
Notice and Order to Abate.
A notice of and order to eliminate a substandard, nuisance, or dangerous condition, which does not pose an immediate threat to health or safety. This notice sets the time and date for a public hearing before the city council.
Notice and Order to Demolish.
A notice issued by the city manager, city attorney, fire chief, or building official ordering that a building or structure be demolished and removed.
Notice and Order to Vacate the Premises.
A notice issued by the city manager, city attorney, fire chief, or building official ordering the occupants and/or tenants of a building, or structure to vacate the premises.
Notice of Response to a Dangerous Condition.
A notice that describes the nature of an action that has been taken in response to an unsafe or dangerous condition, which has been summarily abated.
Notice of Violation.
A written notification to the owner and/or other person responsible for a violation of the code, which provides a reasonable time period to correct the violation, prior to the city commencing enforcement action.
Stop Work Notice.
A notice issued by the Building Official, or his or her designee, ordering that work commenced in violation of a permit, or without the required permit, immediately cease until the appropriate permit has been obtained.
Summary Abatement and Notice and Order to Eliminate Dangerous Conditions.
Authorization by the city manager, or his or her designee, to commence immediate action to abate conditions that are an immediate threat to health and safety.
(Ord. 4639 § 4, 2000)
For the purposes of this chapter, any building, structure or portion thereof, which has any or all of the conditions or defects hereinafter described, shall be deemed to be an unsafe building, provided that such conditions or defects exist to the extent that the life, health, property or safety of the public or its occupants are endangered:
A. 
Whenever any door, aisle, passageway, stairway or other means of exit is not of sufficient width or size, or is not so arranged as to provide safe and adequate means of exit in case of fire or panic;
B. 
Whenever any portion or member or appurtenance thereof is likely to fail, or to become detached or dislodged, or to collapse and thereby injure persons or damage property;
C. 
Whenever the building, structure or any portion thereof, because of:
1. 
Dilapidation, deterioration or decay,
2. 
Faulty construction,
3. 
The removal, movement or instability of any portion of the ground necessary for the purpose of supporting such building,
4. 
The deterioration, decay or inadequacy of its foundation,
5. 
Water damage to structural members or wall/ceiling construction, or
6. 
Any other cause, is likely to partially or completely collapse;
D. 
Whenever, for any reason, the building or structure, or portion thereof, is unsafe for the purpose for which it is being used;
E. 
Whenever the building or structure has been so damaged by fire, wind, earthquake or flood, or has become so dilapidated or deteriorated as to:
1. 
Become an attractive nuisance to children,
2. 
Become a harbor for trespassers,
3. 
Enable persons to resort thereto for the purpose of committing unlawful or immoral acts;
F. 
Whenever any building, structure or portion thereof has been constructed, exists or is maintained in violation of any specific requirement or prohibition applicable to such building or structure provided by the building regulations of this city, as specified in any of the adopted regulatory codes of the city, or of any law or ordinance of this state or city relating to the condition, location or structure of buildings;
G. 
Whenever any building, structure or portion thereof which, whether or not erected in accordance with all applicable laws and ordinances, has been reduced in:
1. 
Strength,
2. 
Fire-resisting qualities or characteristics, or
3. 
Weather-resisting qualities or characteristics;
H. 
Whenever a building, structure or portion thereof, used or intended to be used for dwelling purposes, because of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, decay, damage, faulty construction, inadequate light, air or sanitation facilities, or otherwise, is determined by the health officer or building official to be unsanitary, unfit for human habitation or in such a condition that is likely to cause sickness or disease;
I. 
Whenever any building, structure, or portion thereof, because of obsolescence, dilapidated condition, deterioration, damage, inadequate exits, lack of sufficient fire-resistive construction, faulty electric wiring, gas connections, heating apparatus, or other cause, is determined by the fire marshal or building official to be a fire hazard;
J. 
Whenever any building structure or portion thereof is in such a condition as to constitute a public nuisance known to the common law or in equity jurisprudence;
K. 
Whenever any portion of a building, structure or portion thereof remains on a site after the demolition or destruction of the building or structure, or whenever any building or structure is abandoned for a period in excess of six months so as to constitute such building or portion thereof an attractive nuisance or hazard to the public.
For the purpose of this chapter, a "dangerous condition" shall mean the actual or threatened existence of conditions which risk the immediate safety of persons or property within this city as determined by the city council, or by the city manager in his or her sole discretion.
(Ord. 4639 § 5, 2000)
For the purpose of this chapter, any building, structure or portion thereof, including any dwelling unit, guest room or suite of rooms, which has any or all of the conditions or defects hereinafter described to an extent that endangers the life, limb, health, property, safety or welfare of the public, or the occupants thereof, shall be deemed and is declared to be a substandard building:
A. 
Inadequate Sanitation. Inadequate sanitation includes, but is not limited to the following:
1. 
Lack of or improper water closet, lavatory, bathtub or shower in a dwelling unit,
2. 
Lack of or improper kitchen sink,
3. 
Lack of hot and cold running water to plumbing fixtures in a dwelling unit,
4. 
Lack of improper operation of necessary ventilating equipment,
5. 
Lack of reasonable amounts of natural light and ventilation,
6. 
Room and space dimensions less than required by this code,
7. 
Lack of necessary electrical lighting,
8. 
Infestation of insects, vermin or rodents,
9. 
Lack of connection to required sewage disposal system;
B. 
Structural Hazards. Structural hazards includes but is not limited to the following:
1. 
Whenever the building, structure or any portion thereof, is likely to partially or completely collapse because of:
a. 
Dilapidation, deterioration or decay,
b. 
Faulty construction,
c. 
The removal, movement or instability of any portion of the ground necessary for the purpose of supporting such building,
d. 
The deterioration, decay or inadequacy of its foundation, or
e. 
Any other cause.
2. 
Whenever any building, structure or portion thereof has wracked, warped, buckled or settled to such an extent that walls or other structural portions have materially less resistance to winds or earthquakes than is required in the case of similar new construction.
3. 
Whenever the building or structure, exclusive of the foundation, shows twenty-five percent or more damage or deterioration of its supporting member or members, or thirty-three percent damage or deterioration of its nonsupporting members or coverings.
C. 
Hazardous Wiring. All wiring except that which conformed with all applicable laws in effect at the time of installation and which has been maintained in good condition and is being used in a safe manner;
D. 
Hazardous Plumbing. All plumbing except that which conformed with all applicable laws in effect at the time of installation and which has been maintained in good condition and which is free of crossconnections and siphonage between fixtures;
E. 
Hazardous Mechanical Equipment. All mechanical equipment, including vents, except that which conformed with all applicable laws in effect at the time of installation, and which has been maintained in good and safe condition;
F. 
Inadequate Exits. All buildings, structures or portions thereof, not provided with adequate exit facilities as required by this chapter, except those buildings, structures or portions thereof whose exit facilities conformed with all applicable laws at the time of their construction and which have been adequately maintained and increased in relation to any increase in occupancy load, alteration or addition or any change in occupancy;
When an unsafe condition exists through lack of, or improper location of exits, additional exits may be required to be installed;
G. 
Inadequate Fire Protection or Fire Fighting Equipment. All buildings, structures or portions thereof which are not provided with the fire-resistive construction or fire-extinguishing systems or equipment required by this code, except those buildings or portions thereof which conformed with all applicable laws at the time of their construction and whose fire-resistive integrity and fire-extinguishing systems or equipment have been adequately maintained and improved in relation to any increase in occupant load, alteration or addition, or any change in occupancy;
H. 
Improper Occupancy. All buildings, structures or portions thereof occupied for any purpose other than that for which they were approved, including all buildings or portions thereof occupied for living, sleeping, cooking or dining purposes which were not designed or intended to be used for such occupancies;
I. 
Abandoned or Partial Buildings. Whenever any portion of a building or structure remains on a site after the demolition or destruction of the building or structure, or whenever any building or structure is abandoned for a period in excess of six months, so as to constitute such building or portion thereof an attractive nuisance or hazard to the public;
J. 
Mold and mildew in such quantity as to constitute a health hazard to the tenants or occupants as determined by the building official.
(Ord. 4639 § 6, 2000)
For the purposes of this chapter, any building, structure or portion thereof, which has any one or more of the following conditions constitutes substandard property:
A. 
Substandard buildings;
B. 
Unpainted buildings or buildings with dry rot, warping and/or termite infestation;
C. 
Broken windows constituting hazardous conditions and inviting trespassers and malicious mischief;
D. 
Inoperable or abandoned motor vehicles, trailers, campers, boats and other mobile equipment stored for unreasonable periods on the premises;
E. 
Attractive nuisances dangerous to children in the form of unattended, abandoned, broken equipment and neglected machinery;
F. 
Clotheslines in front yard areas;
G. 
Lack of adequate garbage and rubbish storage and removal facilities;
H. 
Trash and garbage containers stored in front or side yards and visible from public streets, except when placed in areas of collection at times permitted in compliance with this code;
I. 
Maintenance of premises in such condition as to be detrimental to the public health, safety or general welfare or in such manner as to constitute a public nuisance;
J. 
Maintenance of premises so out of harmony or conformity with the maintenance standards of adjacent properties as to cause substantial diminution of the enjoyment, use or property values of such adjacent properties;
K. 
All premises on which any abandoned underground storage tanks, cesspools, wells, pits, shafts or other dangerous excavations may exist.
(Ord. 4639 § 7, 2000)
Nothing in this chapter is intended to limit the discretion of the city manager in his or her determination that a "dangerous condition" exists. The determination by the city manager that a condition poses imminent danger shall be final.
(Ord. 4639 § 8, 2000)
The building official and the fire chief are authorized to enforce the provisions of this chapter. The city manager may delegate authority for the enforcement of the provisions on "dangerous conditions."
(Ord. 4639 § 9, 2000)
The building official, the city manager and the fire chief are authorized to make such inspections and take such actions as may be required to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. 4639 § 10, 2000)
All buildings, structures, properties or portions thereof which are determined by the building official or the fire chief to be unsafe or substandard are declared to be public nuisances, and may be abated by repair, rehabilitation, demolition, removal or clearing in accordance with the procedures specified in this chapter.
(Ord. 4639 § 11, 2000)
All conditions which are determined by the city manager to risk the immediate safety of persons or property within this city are declared to be dangerous conditions, and may be eliminated in accordance with the procedure specified in this chapter, or other applicable sections of the El Cajon Municipal Code, or other applicable laws.
(Ord. 4639 § 12, 2000)
Whenever the city manager, fire chief, or building official has inspected, or caused to be inspected any building, structure, property, or portion thereof, and has determined it to be unsafe, substandard, dangerous, or a public nuisance, proceedings shall commence to enforce repair, rehabilitation, demolition, elimination, vacation, removal or clearing by any method or combination of the following:
A. 
Notice of Violation. A notice of violation may be issued informing the owner and/or other responsible person of the nature of the code violation and providing a reasonable period of time for corrective action.
B. 
Stop Work Notice. A stop work notice may be issued if an owner and/or other responsible person has caused the construction, enlargement, erection, alteration, repair, improvement, conversion, demolition of a building, structure or portion thereof, in violation of a permit, or without the required permit.
C. 
Administrative Citation. An administrative citation may be issued, in accordance with chapter 1.14, imposing an administrative fine for any violation of the provisions of this chapter.
D. 
Notice and Order to Abate (Substandard Conditions, Public Nuisance, Dangerous/Unsafe Conditions). If a building, structure, property, or portion thereof, is in substandard or unsafe condition, but it is not immediately dangerous, a notice to abate may be issued. The notice shall order such building, structure, property, or portion thereof, be repaired or cleared.
E. 
Notice and Order to Vacate Premises. If a building, structure, or property has been declared to be substandard or unsafe by the city council, or in the case where a building, structure, or property has been determined to be an immediate danger to the occupants or tenants, a notice and order to vacate premises shall be issued requiring the tenants and/or occupants to vacate the premises. No new occupants or tenants shall be permitted to occupy the space until such time as the unsafe, dangerous, or substandard condition has been corrected or removed, and the building official has confirmed such correction by reinspecting the property. The city shall bear no cost for any relocation of any occupant or tenant.
F. 
Notice and Order to Demolish. If a building or structure has been declared by the city council to be in a substandard or unsafe condition, a notice and order to demolish the building may be issued. A notice and order to demolish shall not indicate an alternative permission to repair; however, an order requiring repair may be satisfied by demolition and removal. The city shall bear no costs for demolition and removal of the property.
G. 
Summary Abatement and Notice and Order to Eliminate Dangerous Conditions. Whenever a building, structure, or property has been declared to be an immediate danger to life, property, health, or limb, a summary abatement action may be authorized at the sole discretion of the city manager. Such action may be of any nature that is appropriate to remove the dangerous condition, and may include an order to demolish the premises. All costs associated with such action shall be charged to the property owner(s).
H. 
Notice of Response to Dangerous Condition. After summary abatement has occurred, a notice of response to dangerous condition shall be issued indicating the nature of the action taken.
(Ord. 4639 § 14, 2000)
Repairs and/or maintenance conducted pursuant to any action taken pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be accomplished in compliance with all applicable codes and regulations, and in accordance with industry standards.
A. 
Patching of wall, floor, ceiling, door, and similar surfaces shall mean patching with approved materials, texture and paint to match existing surfaces.
B. 
Fencing, where installed, shall be maintained in good condition. Any repair and/or maintenance of fencing shall require use of like materials in good condition, painted and/or surfaced to match the existing fencing.
C. 
Surfaces of walkways and building components shall be kept clean and in a sanitary condition.
D. 
Landscaped areas shall be maintained in an approved manner.
E. 
Cracked and broken driveways, sidewalks, and walkways must be repaired and/or replaced, or resurfaced.
F. 
Where accumulation of trash and debris constitutes a recurring problem, a trash enclosure shall be required, at the discretion of the building official, to be installed.
G. 
Buildings shall be painted a minimum of at least once in every ten year period, or more frequently if deemed appropriate by the building official, based upon the condition of the building.
H. 
Insect screening, where installed, shall be kept in good repair and free from rips, tears and broken frames.
Maintenance standards may be enforced through any provision of the Municipal Code. The building official may, at his or her discretion, require that a licensed contractor conduct repairs that are commenced as a result of an enforcement action brought under the provisions of this code.
(Ord. 4639 § 15, 2000)
The building official may, at his/her discretion, require that an unsafe, substandard or dangerous structure be boarded up in order to abate a nuisance and protect against the intrusion of transients. Boarding of the structure shall be accomplished in accordance with the standard for boarding of structures on file with the building division.
(Ord. 4711 § 1, 2002)
A. 
Whenever the building official or the fire chief has inspected or caused to be inspected any building, structure, property or portion thereof, and has found and determined it to be unsafe or substandard, he or she shall commence proceedings to cause repair, rehabilitation, demolition, removal or clearing as follows:
1. 
In the case of an inspection, finding and determination by the building official, he or she shall obtain the written report of the fire chief before proceeding;
2. 
In the case of an inspection, finding and determination by the fire chief, he or she shall send to the building official a letter which lists violations of this code and declares his or her recommendations.
B. 
Whenever the city manager in his or her sole discretion has determined an existing condition to be a dangerous condition requiring the application of this chapter, he or she shall commence proceeding to eliminate the dangerous condition as follows:
1. 
In the case of a dangerous condition which requires immediate action, he or she shall take such action or designate another to take action as he or she believes to be necessary, and send a letter to the building official advising him or her of the action taken and the circumstances surrounding such actions.
2. 
In the case of a dangerous condition which does not require immediate action, but must, in his or her opinion, be eliminated quickly, he or she shall send to the building official a letter describing the dangerous condition and declaring what action he or she has determined necessary for the property owner to take.
(Ord. 4639 § 16, 2000)
After the inspection of any building, structure, property or portion thereof pursuant to subsection A of Section 15.16.140, or upon a determination of a dangerous condition pursuant to subsection B of Section 15.16.140, the building official shall:
A. 
Obtain the names and addresses of all persons having a recorded interest in the property, through a current title search; and
B. 
Request the city clerk to set a date for a hearing by the city council to determine whether the declaration of substandard or unsafe building, structure or property, or the declaration of dangerous condition, is warranted.
(Ord. 4639 § 17, 2000)
Notices shall contain all of the following:
A. 
A description of the building, structure and/or property in general terms reasonably sufficient to identify it;
B. 
The conditions which have been determined to be defective or dangerous with sufficient particularity to enable repair if appropriate;
C. 
The date which the city clerk has set for hearing by the city council, if appropriate;
D. 
The work which is required to be done, either repaired or rehabilitated in the case of a notice of violation, stop work notice; demolished and removed, or repaired or demolished and removed, in the case of a notice and order to demolish; or either instructions to eliminate as provided by the city manager in the case of a notice and order to eliminate a dangerous condition, or a description of the work which was done in the case of a notice of response to dangerous condition;
E. 
The date upon or before which the order must be complied with, if appropriate.
The notice shall be dated and served in the manner provided in Section 15.16.170 at least five days prior to the date set for hearing, or in the case of a notice and order to eliminate a dangerous condition, it shall be dated and served within twenty-four hours of the hearing. Copies mailed or served personally shall state the name of the owner to whom they are addressed.
(Ord. 4639 § 18, 2000)
A copy of a stop work notice, or notice of violation may be served by either certified postage prepaid, return receipt requested United States mail, or by personal service to the property owner and/or the responsible person.
A copy of the notice and order to abate, the notice and order to vacate premises, the notice and order to demolish, summary abatement, and notice and order to abate dangerous conditions, and the notice of response to dangerous condition, shall be served upon each owner of the subject property, as provided in this section. Copies of said notice shall also be sent to the building official, fire chief, city attorney, and city clerk, and where the notice has been initiated at the discretion of the city manager, a copy shall also be sent to the city manager. Copies shall also be posted as provided in this section.
Said notice shall be served upon the owner(s) in one of the following manners:
A. 
By personal service on the owner(s);
B. 
By certified or registered United States mail, addressed to each owner at the address shown on the last available assessment roll, or as otherwise known.
In addition to service as in subsections A or B of this section, copies of said notice shall be posted at conspicuous places on the property, or at, or upon each exit of the building or structure.
(Ord. 4639 § 19, 2000)
On the date set by the city clerk, unless the owner(s) of the subject property have before that date remedied the listed defects or dangerous conditions to the satisfaction of the fire chief and the building official, or where appropriate the city manager, the city council shall hold a hearing on the matter to determine whether the declaration of substandard or unsafe building, structure or property, or dangerous condition is warranted, and its decision shall be final.
The building official or his or her representative shall attend such hearing and shall present the reasons for the determination of the fire chief or the building official. In cases where the city manager has determined a dangerous condition to exist, the city manager or his or her representative shall attend such hearing and shall present the reasons for his determination. Any owner(s) of the subject property may attend said hearing and shall be afforded an opportunity to present reasons why such declaration is not warranted and/or why repair, clearing, demolition and removal, or elimination of a dangerous condition should not be required.
After hearing such testimony as may be offered, the city council shall decide whether the declaration is warranted. If the city council decides such declaration is not warranted, then the proceedings shall be terminated and any notices that have been posted shall be removed by the building official.
(Ord. 4639 § 20, 2000)
If the city council concurs in the determination of the building official, the fire chief, or the city manager, and finds that the declaration of substandard or unsafe building, structure or property or dangerous condition is warranted, then the city council shall order the owner(s) of the subject property to comply with the requirements of the notice. Said compliance shall be made on or before a date determined by the city council to be reasonable under the circumstances. When appropriate, the city council may direct staff to record a notice of noncompliance pursuant to § 15.16.200.
(Ord. 4639 § 21, 2000)
A. 
The city manager and the city attorney are authorized to determine whether any rental housing within the city is in violation of state or local law. Following such determination, the property owner shall be notified by the building official and/or the city attorney that failure to correct substandard conditions on the property within six months will result in notification to the State Franchise Tax Board.
B. 
If the conditions are not brought into compliance within six months, the building official shall be directed to prepare and mail by certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, a notice of noncompliance to the affected property owner. Such notice shall reflect that substandard housing conditions have not been cured within the time prescribed by law and shall advise the property owner of a right to appeal.
1. 
The affected property owner may appeal the city manager or city attorney's determination by filing a written request with the city clerk within ten days of the date of the notice of noncompliance. The filing of such appeal shall stay notification to the State Franchise Tax Board until the city council has acted on the appeal.
2. 
If no appeal is filed within ten days, the building official shall forward a copy of the notice of noncompliance to the State Franchise Tax Board. The city council may also be requested by staff to approve any actions already taken with respect to such notification, including forwarding such notice to the State Franchise Tax Board.
C. 
The city council shall review evidence submitted on appeal, and affirm, modify or reverse the determination with respect to the existence of state law or municipal code violations on the property.
1. 
If the city council determines that a violation exists on the property, the building official shall be directed to forward a copy of the notice of noncompliance to the State Franchise Tax Board.
D. 
Upon appeal, the city council shall make written findings on the evidence and a copy of such findings shall be mailed by certified United States mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the affected property owner. Action by the city council on the appeal shall be final and conclusive.
(Ord. 4639 § 22, 2000)
Upon the failure, neglect or refusal of the owner(s) of the subject property to comply with the requirements of the notice on or before the date specified for the performance of said work, or upon the determination of the city attorney that due to the nature of the violation an intent to lien should be filed earlier, the building official or the city attorney shall cause to be recorded with the county recorder a "Notice of Intent to Lien."
After having caused the notice of intent to lien to be recorded, the building official shall cause the work to be done if not already completed. When the work is completed, the building official shall file with the city clerk a report of the proceedings and an accurate account of the cost of the work.
A determination by the city attorney that a notice of intent to lien is to be filed without demonstrated noncompliance with a notice to correct or abate may be appealed to the city council by written notice to the city clerk within ten days of such determination. A request for appeal shall stay any recording of such notice until the city council has reviewed the determination. The decision of the city council shall be final. If the city council concurs with the determination of the city attorney, the notice of intent to lien may be recorded.
(Ord. 4639 § 23, 2000)
The notice of intent to lien issued pursuant to this chapter shall give notice to the owner that a lien for the costs of work performed, and civil penalties where appropriate, may be claimed. Service of the notice shall be made upon all persons identified in the notice either personally or by mailing a copy of such notice by certified United States mail, return receipt requested. If the address of any such person cannot reasonably be ascertained, a copy of the notice shall be mailed to such person at the address of the location where such work was required. The failure of any such person to receive such notice shall not affect the validity of any proceedings taken under this chapter. Service by certified United States mail in the manner provided in this section shall be effective on the date of postmark. The notice shall be posted on the subject property.
(Ord. 4639 § 24, 2000)
The city shall have a lien for the cost of any work performed, and civil penalties pursuant to this code against the real property on which such work was rendered and against any other real property within the jurisdiction of the city which is owned by the person responsible for causing the need for such work.
The lien shall be subordinate to all existing special assessment liens previously imposed upon the same property and shall be paramount to all other liens, except for state and county taxes, with which it shall be on a parity.
The costs of such work are also joint and separate personal obligations of the person who caused the need for such work. The city attorney may collect the costs by use of all appropriate legal remedies.
The lien provided by this section may be foreclosed and enforced by a civil action in a court having jurisdiction.
(Ord. 4639 § 25, 2000)
The San Diego County recorder's office shall record and index the notices of intent to lien described in this chapter. No lien created by this chapter binds the property subject to the lien for a period longer than three years after the notice of intent to lien has been filed, unless an action is commenced in the proper court within that time to enforce the lien.
(Ord. 4639 § 26, 2000)
When the city has completed the work ordered to be done, or has undertaken immediate elimination of a dangerous condition, the actual cost thereof shall be charged to the owner of such property, and the owner, or his agent, shall be billed therefor by mail, if not paid prior thereto. The bill shall apprise the owner that failure to pay the bill will result in a lien against the subject property and a joint and separate personal obligation.
(Ord. 4639 § 27, 2000)
Where the full amount due the city is not paid by such owner within thirty days after the date of billing, the city clerk shall set the report and account for hearing by the city council at the first regular or adjourned regular meeting which will be held at least seven calendar days after such thirty-day period has expired. The city clerk shall post a copy of such report and account, and a notice of the time and place of the hearing in a conspicuous place at or near the entrance of the city council chambers.
(Ord. 4639 § 28, 2000)
The city council shall consider the report and account at the time set for hearing, together with any objections or protests by interested parties. Any owner of land or person affected by the proposed charge may present a written or oral protest or objection to the report and account. At the conclusion of the hearing, the city council shall either approve the report and account as submitted, or as modified or corrected by the city council. The decision of the city council on the report and the charge and on all protests or objections shall be final and conclusive. The amounts so approved shall be charged to the property owner on the next regular tax bill and shall be a lien upon the property involved. The city council shall confirm such assessment and cause the same to be recorded on the assessment roll, and thereafter such assessment shall constitute a special assessment against and a lien upon the property. The city council shall adopt a resolution assessing such amounts as liens upon the respective parcels of land as they are shown upon the last available assessment roll.
(Ord. 4639 § 29, 2000)
The city council, in its discretion, may determine that assessments in amounts of five hundred dollars or more shall be payable in not to exceed five equal annual installments. The city council's determination to allow payment of such assessments in installments, the number of installments, whether they shall bear interest and the rate thereof shall be by a resolution adopted prior to the confirmation of the assessment.
(Ord. 4639 § 31, 2000)
All assessments remaining unpaid after thirty days from the date of confirmation of the assessments by the city council shall become delinquent and shall bear interest at the rate of seven percent per year from and after such date.
(Ord. 4639 § 32, 2000)
The person who is determined to be the responsible party for the maintenance of the property as a public nuisance or dangerous condition shall be charged an administrative fee to cover the administrative costs incurred by the city in bringing this case to public hearing, in addition to recovery of costs associated with actual staff time involved with enforcing the provisions of this chapter. The current fee schedule shall be on file with the city clerk, and shall be in such amounts as the city council may set from time to time by resolution.
(Ord. 4899 § 2, 2007)
If, after a hearing by the city council pursuant to Section 8.10.110, the person charged with payment of costs for work performed fails, neglects or refuses to pay such costs, the building official may:
A. 
Refer the matter to the city attorney for prosecution under the provisions of this chapter; and/or
B. 
Institute any appropriate action to collect the costs of work performed under this chapter; and/or
C. 
Pursue any other appropriate remedy at law or equity.
(Ord. 4639 § 34, 2000)
In addition to its rights to cost recovery under this section, the city shall retain the alternative rights to recover its costs by way of the city's nuisance abatement procedure (El Cajon Municipal Code Chapter 1.16), or by civil action.
(Ord. 4639 § 35, 2000)
No person, whether as owner, lessee, sublessee or occupant, shall erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, demolish, equip, use, occupy or maintain any building or premises, or cause or permit the same to be done, contrary to or in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter. Any person violating the provisions of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor for each day such violation continues. All violations of this chapter shall be subject to an administrative citation, in accordance with Chapter 1.14, and civil penalties in accordance with Chapters 1.24 and 15.18 of this code.
(Ord. 4639 § 36, 2000)