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Community Development reports increased code-enforcement activity since July 1 transfer of program
Summary
Trinity County’s Community Development department reported higher code-compliance activity after absorbing code enforcement on July 1; divisions issued dozens of notices of violation across building, planning, cannabis and environmental health and are working through abatement processes.
Community Development staff told the Board on July 1 that code-compliance activity has increased since the county consolidated enforcement in the department on July 1, and described how complaints are processed and escalated.
Ed Presley, speaking for Community Development, said code enforcement now operates across Planning, Building, Environmental Health, Cannabis and Natural Resources divisions and that complaints may be filed online, by phone or in person. He described a cross-divisional referral workflow for specialized issues and said the sheriff’s office can provide safety support when necessary.
Presley provided summary counts: the building division has issued 62 notices of violation (NOVs) since July 1 of the prior year, with 12 closed and 50 in active process; planning has issued 82 NOVs (35 properties contacted for follow-up and 10 achieving 100% compliance); cannabis enforcement issued 27 NOVs in 2024 (17 resolved within the seven-day abatement period, 10 that accrued penalties) and six NOVs in 2025 to date (three resolved within seven days and three still open). Presley said Environmental Health’s caseload is large and covers water wells, septic systems, food establishments, pools and hazardous materials programs.
He explained the enforcement timeline: staff investigate, issue a notice of violation, allow a seven-day abatement period for corrective action, and, if unresolved, may escalate to fines, legal injunctions or referral to county counsel and the sheriff. Presley said the county is updating code language (chapter 17) to clarify procedures.
The department encouraged residents to file complaints with supporting photos where possible and described contact options (county forms, phone and email). Board members requested the written statistics, and Presley said he would provide up-to-date numbers to the board.
