Violations

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. It is department policy not to disclose information regarding complainants.

Yes. Violation notices can be appealed if one believes no violation exists. Specific instructions are provided with each type of notice on how to appeal. However, if upon appeal the violation notice is upheld, the appellant must pay all enforcement fees associated with the case. 

Yes. Some people may not know they were in violation and immediately comply with the codes after being notified. However, please note that some violations will be cited without any warning. 

Yes. Violators are responsible for all costs of enforcement. In addition, punitive penalties and/or civil penalties can be imposed.

Yes. The Codes must always be followed, but Code Enforcement Officers have the discretion to allow extensions of time and to establish "compliance programs" when violators are facing severe circumstances such as loss of a job or a family illness or death. 

Priority Violations:

  • Collapsing roof​ ​
  • Lack of heat
  • Lack of required utilities
  • Lack of hot water
  • Surfacing sewage
  • Vacant, open and accessible property being used in an unauthorized manner

Standard Violations:

  • Broken windows
  • Holes in wallPlumbing leak
  • Rodent harborage 
  • Roof leakElectrical malfunction
  • Unsanitary premises
  • Vector infestation

All Officers working in the field wear a vest that says, "Sacramento County Code Enforcement." If you have a question as to an Officer’s identity, the Officer will present you with photo identification and/or a badge. 

If you still are not sure, the photo ID will have a phone number, which you can call to verify the Officer’s employment.

Call 311, or 916-875-4311 if outside the 311 calling area. Or, go to the Sacramento Cou​nty 311 Connect website.

A Code Enforcement Officer will conduct an inspection within 72 business hours of receiving a complaint for Priority Housing Violations. 

For all other violations, an advisory letter will be mailed to the property owner allowing thirty (30) days for the repairs/corrections to be made. After thirty (30) days, the officer will contact the tenant to verify that the repairs were made. If the violations remain, an inspection will be conducted. 

It means the elimination or removal of a nuisance. E.g. Vehicle abatement is the removal of an abandoned vehicle from the public right-of-way.

If someone does not pay a code enforcement bill, Code Enforcement may ask an administrative hearing officer, in a scheduled public hearing, to confirm a lien on the property or assess the bill as a personal obligation of the owner.

​Depending upon the type of violation, the person with the code enforcement violation may be contacted by Code Enforcement staff and asked to voluntarily abate (correct) the violation. 

They may be notified of the specific violation and given a time frame in which to comply. ​​​

​When someone refuses to comply with the codes, the Code Enforcement Officer has a number of potential options for progressing toward compliance. 

They may issue a notice of violation, a criminal or administrative citation, schedule a hearing, tow a vehicle, file a lawsuit, or file criminal charges, depending on the severity and type(s) of violation(s), and the unique circumstances of the case.​​​

​It is a permit to use your property in a way that normally would not be allowed in that particular zone. The requested use may be approved in conjunction with a list of specific rules and restrictions. 

CUPs are costly and may or may not be granted approval. Many require public hearings. Visit Sacramento County Planning and Environmental Review for more information.​

First, the City and County e​​ach draft and approve their own local legislation completely separate from one another. The County answers to the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, while the City answers to the Sacramento City Council, both elected but independent bodies. 

Second, the County must meet the needs of a more diverse population than the city. 

​​While the City of Sacramento is largely urbanized with a dense population, the County covers a much larger area, with population that live in agricultural or rural neighborhoods with different needs than urban centers.​
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