Staff to draft Chapter 13 changes: illegal-dumping ordinance and proposed social-nuisance language

Staff said they are preparing changes to Chapter 13 of the county code to create stronger enforcement tools for illegal dumping and to give the county clearer authority to address certain recurring problems.

"We're drafting an illegal dumping ordinance that would give us some additional tools to hold dumpers responsible," Deputy Administrator Shannon Walker Smith said, adding that prevention funds originally planned for cameras and gates were redistributed because staff lacked the legal authority to implement them under current code.

Marcus Belrammo, manager of code enforcement, described a separate proposed addition for "social nuisance" language. He said social nuisances would address disruptive behaviors — for example loud music, congregating on a property, erratic driving — when those behaviors contribute to neighborhood disruptions and the current code focuses on physical conditions rather than behaviors.

"A lot of times when a nuisance affects the comfortable enjoyment of a property, that could be a social nuisance," Belrambo said, stressing the concept will be narrowly drafted and that the county will vet language with the DA's office and hold public hearings before adoption.

Several supervisors signaled concern about scope and civil-liberty guardrails and asked staff to return with specific draft language, definitions, evidentiary standards and a process for notice and appeals. Staff repeatedly committed to public vetting and legal review before the board considers final ordinance language.

Why this matters: chapter-level code changes can expand the county's administrative enforcement tools and affect how neighbors, property owners and law enforcement interact when behavior—not just physical property condition—is at issue. The board asked staff to provide clear guardrails, describe enforcement thresholds and show how the proposal interacts with sheriff, fire and behavioral-health responsibilities.

What’s next: staff will prepare ordinance drafts, coordinate with the DA's office and present draft Chapter 13 language and supporting documents at a future board meeting with public comment opportunities.