Planning staff reports 15 compliance letters and two pending enforcement cases; seeks clearer paper‑trail procedures

Planning staff reported enforcement activity and two pending cases with county counsel during the latter portion of the meeting.

Staff said the office issued 15 compliance letters in recent weeks: five for accessory structures without permits, four for living accessory structures (one reported to lack a septic system), one involving an unpermitted RV on a parcel with an existing dwelling, and one sent to a property owner advertising a short‑term rental without a permit.

Planning staff told commissioners they will require written documentation (email) from banks or realtors requesting zoning information to create a paper trail. Staff also announced a new policy for public complaints: complainants will be directed to a written complaint form (which can be submitted anonymously) rather than relying on phone calls, and all compliance matters will be tracked in a spreadsheet and a secure office vault for internal records.

Staff also reported two legal matters being handled by county counsel Dan Slater: a preliminary hearing is set for a case involving multiple unpermitted structures and owner‑installed well and septic (trial currently set for Jan. 22, 2026), and another case involving an unpermitted bunkhouse and garage on a 7‑acre parcel is in process. Staff said they will coordinate witness availability if county counsel requests it.

During the update, planning staff emphasized the need for consistent enforcement and recordkeeping to avoid disputes later in title transfers or permit reviews.