Council approves $47,314 abatement charge after city boards up two unsafe homes

The Lompoc City Council voted to assess $47,314 in abatement and legal costs to the owners of properties at 438 South J Street and 215 West Locust after city staff forced abatement of unsafe living conditions.

City Attorney (name not specified) told the council the two houses on the same parcel had been declared unlawful for human occupancy after building inspectors found illegal kitchens, blocked egress, missing smoke and carbon‑monoxide detectors, extensive unpermitted construction and multiple electrical and mechanical violations. The attorney said the city issued a notice to abate on Sept. 17, 2024, sought and obtained an inspection and abatement warrant, and executed the warrant Oct. 30 with Lompoc Police Department assistance. The attorney said the abatement work and associated notices and contractor costs totaled about $35,000, and legal fees totaled about $12,000, for a combined $47,314 that can be placed on the property owner's tax roll if council approves.

Matt Wyatt, the building official, told council enforcement staff and Lompoc Police Department continued to monitor the properties "multiple times a week" and reported a new breach as recently as the afternoon of the meeting. Wyatt said the city will re‑board and secure the dwellings when breaches occur and that code enforcement makes periodic drive‑by checks at least twice weekly.

Council discussion focused on the human‑safety risks disclosed in staff photos and on whether the properties could relapse into unsafe occupancy. A council member asked what happens after the city conducts abatement; staff clarified the work already has been done and the council was being asked to approve the list of costs to be charged. Council members also asked about ongoing monitoring; building staff confirmed continuing oversight.

A council member moved to approve the resolution assessing the abatement and legal costs; the motion passed with the vote recorded on the public record as unanimous.

The resolution includes an itemized cost list attached to the agenda packet; staff told council it retains discretion to reduce or waive some or all costs. The council did not instruct staff to waive any of the charges during the meeting.

The assessed funds will be placed on the owner’s property tax bill unless the council or staff take subsequent action to alter the amounts.

Why it matters: The resolution places the city’s contract and legal costs for remediating dangerous, unpermitted living spaces onto the property tax roll, and staff said they will continue frequent monitoring to limit re‑occupancy of unsafe structures.

The council moved on to other agenda items after the vote.