San Ramon council OKs special assessments for unpaid code-enforcement fees

The San Ramon City Council unanimously adopted Resolution No. 2025-090 on July 22, 2025, authorizing special assessments for unpaid building and safety fees related to residential nuisance abatements.

The resolution authorizes staff to wait 10 days after tonight’s meeting for property owners to pay outstanding fees; any amounts not paid will be forwarded to the Contra Costa County assessor for attachment to property tax bills, with the county collecting any late charges. “If we do not proceed all the way to collect these fees, we lose any ability to get compliance and get these items addressed and completed,” said Josh D’Amela, supervising inspector for the Building and Safety Division.

The council heard a staff report describing the city’s code-enforcement process: courtesy door hangers and mailed notices with contact information, a posted notice of violation and order to comply, and a notice of cost if violations continue. D’Amela said property owners receive opportunities to appeal; none of the owners in this case had filed appeals. The items before the council were residential properties and, per city practice, are complaint-driven rather than the product of proactive patrols.

Council members asked clarifying questions about the notice process and whether homeowners associations enforce property standards. D’Amela said the city enforces the municipal code regardless of HOA rules, and that HOA action or inaction does not remove the city’s authority to enforce. He also confirmed notices were mailed to the owner-of-record addresses and that one certified-mail receipt had been returned; several of the properties had not responded and one had sporadic communications.

Council members noted the locations discussed during questioning: one in the Maryville neighborhood, one in South San Ramon, one near Quail Run Elementary School and one in the Canyon Lakes area. D’Amela said two of the matters were initially raised by the solid-waste provider when accounts were behind and service was not being picked up.

There were no public speakers on the hearing item. After closing the public hearing, a councilmember moved to adopt the resolution; the measure passed unanimously.

The resolution directs staff to notify the county assessor if fees remain unpaid after 10 days. Staff said the county charges an administrative fee of roughly “less than 1%,” and the county retains any late fees collected beyond that charge.

Council discussion also reviewed the city’s abatement options in the event of imminent hazards: staff may pursue an abatement warrant and abatement when emergency or fire-hazard conditions warrant city action rather than voluntary compliance.

Details from the record: notices to property owners began June 27; additional certified-mail notices were sent July 11. The resolution and exhibits identify the specific properties and fees but those property-by-property amounts were not read into the record at tonight’s meeting.

The measure passed unanimously and staff said any paid fees within the 10-day window will be removed from the list and not forwarded to the assessor.