Wasco County updates code compliance program, adopts education-first approach and readies citation tools

Wasco County’s Code Compliance Office delivered a program update on Feb. 4 outlining a shift toward an education-first enforcement strategy, new ordinance language adopted in March 2025, and procedural tools intended to improve consistency and fairness.

Code Compliance Officer Ted Palmer summarized legislative changes that established a three-tier violation classification (Classes A, B and C) and a formal schedule of fines under a separate penalty ordinance. He said the reforms clarify abatement authority, limit the use of administrative abatement as a last resort, and create a standard path for issuing citations.

Palmer told the board the department is finalizing citation forms, filing procedures with Circuit Court and a set of warrant templates (affidavit, warrant, return documentation) developed with input from the trial court, DEQ and the Sheriff’s Office. He said most cases are citizen-complaint driven (85–90%) and that land-use cases often take longer—sometimes up to a year—while typical nuisance cases resolve in six to nine months.

The department also described a new public-outreach strategy to shift public perception from punitive enforcement toward community safety, and an online appointment system to improve resident access to compliance consultations. Commissioners asked about referral sources and heard that interagency referrals (ODOT, Building Codes) supplement citizen complaints.

Palmer recommended continued monitoring of program metrics; the board received the update and approved related committee appointments and consent items later in the agenda.