Update to Public
Nuisance and
Administrative
Citation Codes
SMMC Chapters 13.06 and 1.09
Item 10-A
April 8, 2025
Item 10-A
April 8, 2025
What is a Public Nuisance?
CA Civil Code 3749-3480
• anything harmful to health, offensive to senses, or an obstruction to the free use of property, that
• interferes with enjoyment of life or property and,
• affects a considerable number of people
Public Nuisance Examples
• Excessive Noise
• Pollution
• Blocking the Public Right-of-Way
• Neglected properties
Item 10-A
April 8, 2025
Item 10-A
April 8, 2025
Who Addresses Nuisance Conditions?
Code Enforcement
City Attorney
Police Dept.
Affected members of the public
Item 10-A
April 8, 2025
Item 10-A
April 8, 2025
Public Nuisance Penalties
• Administrative Citation
• $2,000 - $10,000
• Criminal enforcement
• Injunction
• Nuisance Abatement
• Private right of action
Item 10-A
April 8, 2025
Item 10-A
April 8, 2025
Proposed Changes to 13.06
Definitions – (13.06.030)
• “Responsible Party” –redefined to expand the list of responsible persons. • Consistent with the proposed definition change in 1.09 Public Nuisances (13.06.050)
• “a” – updates list of activities considered to be “crimes against society” • “b” – Adds animal-related violations not currently found in Chapter 4.04 • “c” and “d” – extend violations of drug and alcohol violations to businesses, not just the properties.
• “f” – deleted as public telephones are no longer prevalent Item 10-A
April 8, 2025
Item 10-A
April 8, 2025
Proposed Changes to 13.06
Public Nuisances (13.06.050)
• “j” –violations of the property maintenance or vacant property codes for 48+ hours.
• To be used only in extreme scenarios
• “k” – 5+ violations in 1 year
• Tenant Protection code (Ch. 4.27),
• Housing Anti-Discrimination code (Ch. 4.28),
• Tenant Relocation code (Ch. 4.36),
• Tenant Harassment code (Ch. 4.56),
• Housing code (Ch. 8.92),
• Property Maintenance code (Ch. 13.02),
• Vacant Property code (Ch. 13.04),
• or any other local or State law related to building construction or fire prevention.
Item 10-A
April 8, 2025
Item 10-A
April 8, 2025
Proposed Changes to 13.06
Public Nuisances (13.06.050)
• “l” – subdividing or renting any dwelling unit that does not meet minimum building codes or occupancy standards
• “m” – harassing or engaging in unsafe business tactics which endangers a significant number of people
• “n” – failure to comply with City’s Mandatory Seismic Retrofit programs • Current penalty for noncompliance is $75.00
• Violations are also being added to the upcoming Master Fine Schedule amendment Item 10-A
April 8, 2025
Item 10-A
April 8, 2025
Proposed Changes to 13.06
Public Nuisances (13.06.050)
• “o” – 5+ violations within 12 months for operating a business without a business license or violating related laws or regulations • “p” – 3+ violations within 12 months for unpermitted construction or violating a stop work order
Notice to Responsible parties (13.06.055)
• Establishes standard noticing requirements for violators. • Codifies existing practices
Responsibility for Enforcement (13.06.095)
• Clarifies enforcement authority
Item 10-A
April 8, 2025
Item 10-A
April 8, 2025
Proposed Changes to 1.09
Applicability (1.09.010)
• Administrative citations can be issued for violations of Chapter 3-9 and 13 unless otherwise stated
Definitions (1.09.020)
• “Correctable offense” – defines the types of offenses that can be corrected • Positive action to legalize the violation
• “Responsible Party” – Expands definition to include any party that is causing or maintaining a violation
• Existing definition only holds responsible only those who commit a violation • Too narrow
Item 10-A
April 8, 2025
Item 10-A
April 8, 2025
Proposed Changes to 1.09
Notice of Violation (1.09.025)
• Requires a written notice first be provided for violations of building, zoning, and structural issues before citations may be issued
• Consistent with State law (Gov. Code 53069.4)
• Codifies existing practices
Service Procedures for Admin Citations (1.09.045)
• Establishes requirements for the service of administrative citations. • Codifies existing practices
Item 10-A
April 8, 2025
Item 10-A
April 8, 2025
Proposed Changes to 1.09
Compliance with Administrative Citations (1.09.045)
• 50% reduction in the fine amount for correctable citations if:
• 1st citation within the past 36 months
• Correctable offense
• Not an immediate threat to the public
• Corrected on or before the compliance date
• Balance is paid within 30 days of correction
• This program serves as additional incentive to correct a violation and pay the outstanding balance.
• Similar program in West Hollywood
• May lead to increased compliance and fine collection
Item 10-A
April 8, 2025
Item 10-A
April 8, 2025
Uncollected Citations and Fine Amounts (2018 to date)
Issue # Unpaid Citations Uncollected Fine Amounts
Short-Term Rentals 263 $279,768
Vending 1284 $209,693
Shared Mobility Devices 390 $202,598
Tenant Relocation 71 $131,598
Other 2054 $300,674
Compliance with Administrative Citations (1.09.045)
Item 10-A
April 8, 2025
Item 10-A
April 8, 2025
Proposed Changes to 1.09
Hearing Procedures and Decisions (1.09.090 and 1.09.100) • Hearing notices and decision delivery.
• Codifies existing practices
Recovery of Admin Fines and Costs (1.09.120)
• Allows the City to recover City costs incurred for investigating and defending citations.
• Only applies to citations that are upheld or become final • Fees for Code Enforcement staff time are being added to the upcoming Master Fee Schedule Identification
• Requires a violator to identify themselves to an enforcement officer.
Item 10-A
April 8, 2025
Item 10-A
April 8, 2025
Closing
The proposed changes will
provide City staff more
tools to address public
nuisances and address
nuisance properties.
Codifies existing
practices into law that are
consistent with State law,
preserving due process
rights of violators.
Questions?
Item 10-A
April 8, 2025
Item 10-A
April 8, 2025