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Yuba County places $10,902 abatement lien after illegal marijuana grow at Oregon House property
Summary
The Board of Supervisors adopted findings April 8 and ordered enforcement costs and penalties tied to 13152 County Road 270 (APN 044110013) recorded as a lien after staff documented unpermitted structures and cultivation. A portion of penalties was reduced after voluntary cleanup.
The Yuba County Board of Supervisors on April 8 adopted findings of fact and ordered that enforcement costs and penalties related to an illegal marijuana cultivation at 13152 County Road 270 in Oregon House be recorded as an abatement lien.
County staff told the board the case began with an August 2024 complaint and a notice and order issued Aug. 29, 2024 for the cultivation of 778 plants. Staff said marijuana-related violations were corrected Oct. 24, 2024, but a demand for payment issued Dec. 6, 2024 remains unpaid. Staff presented a cost accounting showing 19.5 hours of staff time and total enforcement costs and penalties of $10,902.20, and recommended placing $8,902.20 as a special tax assessment on the property tax roll and recording a $10,902.20 abatement lien with the county recorder.
Tracy Clark, a Yuba County code enforcement officer, told the board she worked directly with the on-site cultivator (she referred to him as "Devane") and reduced administrative penalties after the cultivator cleaned up the property promptly. "He was very adamant that he wanted to be the one to clean up the mess that he had made," Clark said, describing follow-up inspections and a substantial voluntary abatement.
When asked by a supervisor whether the harvested product was removed or destroyed, Clark replied that law enforcement officers harvested the plants "on the day of our warrant service." The cultivator addressed the board and said, "I'm very guilty," and acknowledged limited ability to pay but a willingness to make payments.
Supervisor Vasquez moved that the board adopt the recommended findings of fact and order the enforcement costs in the amount of $8,902.20 be placed as a special tax assessment and that enforcement costs and penalties in the amount of $10,902.20 be recorded as an abatement lien. The motion passed on a roll-call vote.
County staff said the lien will attach to the property and may be considered in escrow or sale processes; staff also noted title companies had requested the final demand during escrow. The lien recording is the board's final action on the enforcement accounting; staff indicated the property owner or responsible party may arrange payments after the lien is recorded.
The board closed the open portion of the meeting and proceeded to closed session.
