Code Enforcement derives its authority from the Municipal Code, with a concentration on Public Nuisances (Chapter 8.16).  The Code Enforcement Division staff is comprised of a Code Enforcement Officer, Code Enforcement Inspector and Code Enforcement Secretary.  They coordinate major inspections and enforcement of dangerous property conditions involving multiple disciplines, by assigning the property to the City’s Code Enforcement Task Force.   Since it was instituted in 1994, they have successfully resolved numerous problems with most enforcement cases closed within 30-45 days.

The Code Enforcement Process

When a complaint is received, or staff witnesses a violation, the following steps are undertaken to have the violation abated:

·      An inspection is scheduled to determine if the complaint has merit. If it does not, the case is closed.

·      If the complaint has merit, a letter explaining the violations is mailed to the property owner. It provides  direction and timelines to abate the violations.

·      If the violations are not abated within reasonable timelines, the case may be referred to the Administrative Hearing Board.

Code Enforcement Fees

Enforcement fees represent the staff time incurred to see the violation abated. They increase over time. Common violations and the associated fees are listed below (for violations abated within 30 days):

Fees accrue and are due from the date of the letter following the initial investigation. They increase if the violation is not abated within 30 days, 60 days and/or within 90 days from the date of the letter.

Example: A second unit was constructed without permit. The fees are as follows depending upon how long the case remains open:

                1-30 days ............. $600

             31-60 days.............. $925

             61-90 days.............. $1,050

It is obviously in one’s best interest to abate the violation as quickly as possible.

Code Enforcement Task Force

The Task Force, both a program and committee, is comprised of representatives from City departments and divisions (Police, Fire, Streets, Water/Wastewater, Community, Building, Engineering) and the San Mateo County Health Department. The Task Force has collective authority of the member agencies. Enforcement matters requiring a concentrated effort by more than one enforcement agency are referred to the Task Force in an effort to expedite abatement of the violation. The Task Force is a forum for planning inspections of properties (mostly apartment complexes) and using a team approach to prevent duplication of efforts. The Task Force targets the most serious violations and develops incentives for voluntary abatement.  They also develop training programs for landlords and property owners.  It is not unusual to see a task force inspection composed of a Fire Safety Inspector, Police Officer, Code Enforcement Inspector, Building Inspector, and Street Inspector or Water/ Wastewater Inspector at any given time.

The focus of the Task Force is to remove dangerous conditions as soon as possible. The cost of violation abatement, including staff time, is charged back to the property owner.  If the owner is unwilling to do the work, staff seeks approval from the City Council to have the violation abated.  If necessary, a lien is placed on the property to assure cost recovery.

The Code Enforcement Task Force has proven to be effective in minimizing the recurring violations on properties with long-term violations. The main focus of the Task Force has traditionally been to remove substandard conditions in apartment complexes. Recent inspections of apartment complexes have demonstrated that the use of the Task Force for all large apartment complexes a success. Most major violations have been abated, and any minor violations may be picked up by the Fire Department's annual apartment inspection program. 

 Administrative Hearing Appeals Board

The Code Enforcement Division acts as liaison to the Administrative Hearing (Appeals) Board.  The Board reviews investigations of serious violations and determines the required next step of enforcement and has authority to assess administrative costs for all staff time and set civil penalty fees (up to $2,500 a day for each day a violation is present to the maximum amount of $10,000).  This incentive is normally sufficient to gain voluntary compliance by property owners.  The Appeals Board is an integral part of the Code Enforcement Program and has contributed greatly to its success.

 Clean Community and Graffiti Abatement Committees

The Clean Community and Graffiti Abatement Committees’ volunteers work closely with the community to identify property problems. When minor property violations are first reported to the City, they are forwarded to the Clean Community Committee.  The Clean Community Committee handles items such as accumulation of trash, weeds, junk, and debris on properties.  Volunteer staff notifies property owners of the necessary action to abate these minor violations; thus allowing staff to focus on the more serious violations.

The Graffiti Abatement Committee handles graffiti and posters placed on public property, and works closely with property owners and the Police to identify violators and remove graffiti at no charge to the property owners. Both committees can be reached at (650) 991-8191. Once a complaint is received, these committees send a courtesy letter to the property owner, document the violations and inspect the properties. Should properties not come into voluntary compliance after notification, the matter is referred to the Code Enforcement Office for review and possible enforcement.

The City’s code enforcement efforts fulfill the first two goals of the Daly City’s mission statement:

• Assure the safety and general well-being of the community.
• Preserve, improve and develop the physical and aesthetic aspects of the community.