Chapter 23.20
RESPONSE CATEGORIES

Sections:

23.20.010    Categories of response.

23.20.020    Incremental approach.

23.20.010 Categories of response.

Responses to complaints or evidence of a civil code violation shall be prioritized based on significance and severity. The categories set forth in this section are not jurisdictional and failure to meet them in any particular case shall not affect the City’s authority to enforce City code provisions with regard to that case. The following categories serve as guidelines for administering this title:

(1) High risk situations need an urgent response. These include an imminent likelihood of/or actual bodily harm or detrimental public health exposure, damage to public resources or facilities, damage to real or personal property, or significant environmental damage or contamination.

(2) Moderate risk situations need a prompt response. These include a risk of bodily harm, damage to public resources or facilities, damage to real or personal property, environmental damage or contamination.

(3) Low risk situations need response as time permits. These are nonemergent, do not fit within the high risk or moderate risk categories and have only minor public impacts. (Ord. O2011-302 §2 (Att. A))

23.20.020 Incremental approach.

The director should follow an incremental approach to securing compliance with City codes. This means starting by contacting the person responsible, explaining the violation and requesting voluntary correction. As needed, the director should secure compliance by proceeding incrementally to higher penalty levels by using the techniques and options in this title. The director may also determine no violation exists and take no further action, or for low risk, “de minimus” violations, decide not to take further action. (Ord. O2011-302 §2 (Att. A))