COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Dana Eady, Interim Community Development Director
DATE: January 21, 2025
SUBJECT: Code Enforcement Division Update
The City Council will receive and file an informational report concerning the Code Enforcement Division’s outreach efforts and accomplishments for the 2024 calendar year, and goals for the upcoming 2025 calendar year.
BACKGROUND:
Code Enforcement is a division within the Community Development Department. The Code Enforcement Division currently has seven staff members including a Manager, Supervisor, four Officers, and a technician. The Code Enforcement Division is responsible for the investigation of municipal code violations including, but not limited to, substandard housing, zoning complaints, public nuisances, weeds, rubbish, and other neighborhood blight issues. Code Enforcement regularly communicates and works collaboratively with other departments and outside agencies to address city -wide violations and issues with the primary goal of preserving the integrity of public health, safety, and welfare, while also providing education to the community.
DISCUSSION:
I. Code Enforcement Division Tasks and Responsibilities Intake and investigate service requests received from various outlets including the public, outside agencies, and city departments; Neighborhood Connect for graffiti; and City Manager’s Office and City Council.
Open proactive cases to reduce blight city-wide and address substandard housing conditions.
The Code Enforcement Division aids most City departments:
- Utilities Department: address violations to include, but not limited to backflow violations, illegal dumping, storm water issues, water abuse and water theft. - Planning and Building Divisions: concerning permits failing to be finalized, stop work orders, unpermitted construction, unpermitted signs, as well as other Santa Maria Municipal Code (SMMC) zoning violations.
- Fire Department: concerning health and safety concerns and SMMC violations. 2 - Police Department: concerning health and safety concerns and SMMC violations.
- Finance Department: involving business licenses.
- Public Works Department: involving unpermitted work, primarily in the City rights-of-way.
- Recreation and Parks Department: Tree related violations, graffiti projects, and other SMMC violations.
Facilitate the City of Santa Maria Task Force monthly meetings consisting of numerous City Departments. The team collaborates to find solutions involving city- wide problematic trends.
Conduct “ Walk-n-Talks”, which provide education for both residential and commercial areas. Occasionally CED will team up with other departments to include the Fire Department, Police Department, and City Rangers. Address unpermitted sidewalk/street vending and food operations on private property and public property.
Inspect and permit mobile commercial car washing operations. Participate in various Community Outreach events such as Downtown Fridays, National Night Out, and other events as requested by outside agencies.
II. Summary of Accomplishments and Outreach Efforts in 2024 There were 2,246 violations reported, and 1,901 violations abated. 497 cases were referred by other City departments.
Increased efforts with the Santa Maria Police Department, Fire Department, and City Rangers to address city-wide issues.
Assisted the Fire Department with enforcement of illegal fireworks. Continued collaboration with the City’s PEG Production Team for an informational series, “Did You Know”, which is viewable on YouTube. Thus far, three segments have been released. Education was provided for how Code Enforcement can assist the community, mobile car washing and vendor requirements, and storage of items in the public right-of-way.
Collaborated with Allan Hancock College and the Chamber of Commerce to provide municipal code education to the community.
Continued collaboration efforts with the Public Health Department regarding unpermitted food vendors.
Presented photos and information during a Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) meeting regarding unpermitted food vendors. Weekend and evening details addressing unpermitted mobile car washing, catering vehicles, and vendor violations.
3 III. Objectives for 2025
1. Substandard Housing
Continue outreach efforts and enforcement to address substandard housing violations.
2. Unpermitted Construction
With housing shortages being felt throughout the state and the cost of housing increasing, unpermitted and in many cases unsafe construction has increased in garages, to include unpermitted Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). Code Enforcement intends to continue outreach efforts to provide education and enforcement. There were 112 unpermitted construction violations this past year, compared to 94 last year.
3. Neighborhood Preservation Projects
Addressing blight through neighborhood projects, educational videos through the City’s PEG program, and the “Walk-and-Talk” program.
4. Mobile Commercial Car Wash Operators
Code Enforcement continues to work with the Mobile Commercial Car Wash operators in obtaining Mobile Commercial Car Wash permits and business licenses. Code Enforcement will continue to work with the Finance Department, City Rangers, and SMPD to enforce municipal code violations.
5. Walk-and-Talk Program
Continue outreach efforts in residential and commercial areas.
6. Unpermitted Sidewalk and Food Vendors
Continue outreach and enforcement efforts, to include coordination with other City Departments and outside agencies.
7. Community Outreach Efforts
Through community events, presentations, and the CED educational video series on YouTube, “Did You Know?”.