Mariposa County panel urges amnesty-first approach for code enforcement, asks staff to synthesize Planning Commission input

The Mariposa County Code Compliance Advisory Committee on Feb. 1 agreed that an amnesty program should remain the first step in the county’s code-enforcement sequence and asked staff to produce a “differential” document comparing the committee’s May memorandum with changes the Planning Commission recommended after a Jan. 10 joint meeting.

The committee’s action came after a lengthy discussion about whether to rely on fines under Mariposa County Code 15.10.260 or to pursue abatement remedies through Government Code 25,845 and related hearing-officer procedures. Planning Director Stephen (identified in the meeting as “Stephen for planning director”) and Clerk of the Board Danielle Bonshu told the committee staff would bring a synthesis of prior materials and the planning-commission feedback for the CCAC to review at a future meeting.

The committee said amnesty (Step 1 in its four-step program) should be treated as an ongoing first step rather than a short-term pilot, and that abatement — not fines — is the preferred enforcement tool. Committee members repeatedly said 15.10.260 as written functions as a fines program and lacks required due-process…