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Board adopts amendments to county code on administrative civil penalties for code enforcement
Summary
The Board of Supervisors introduced and then adopted amendments to Humboldt County Code section 3.52, clarifying the county's administrative civil penalty process, establishing timing for hearings and limiting some assessments; the ordinance was adopted on June 24.
The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors on June 24 introduced and adopted amendments to County Code section 3.52, a section that governs administrative civil penalties used by county code enforcement.
Planning and Building Director John Ford told the board the ordinance revisions are intended to clarify existing processes and align the code with how county staff currently handles notices and penalties. Ford said the changes include limiting assessments in certain circumstances (for example, capping an assessment at half the market value of a property in a stated set of conditions) and clarifying that a current property owner is not liable for penalties assessed against a prior owner while still being responsible for correcting present violations.
Ford also explained process changes: when administrative hearing dates must be scheduled (no sooner than 15 days and no later than 60 days after notice) and that administrative penalties 'do not begin to accrue until 10 days after the violation is adjudicated.' He said the revisions are meant to provide due-process clarity while preserving enforceability.
Supervisor Wilson moved to introduce the ordinance by title, waive first reading and set adoption for July 8; the motion passed unanimously, 5-0. The clerk was directed to publish required pre- and post-adoption summaries per Government Code procedures.
The amended ordinance updates the county's administrative enforcement toolkit and clarifies timing and procedural limits for civil-penalty assessments.
