Sacramento Municipal Code Art. II Enforcement

A. Authority and Administration. The chief building official is authorized and directed to administer and enforce all provisions of this chapter, including, but not limited to, the classification of buildings as dangerous or immediately dangerous.

B. Inspections. The county health officer, the city fire marshal, and the building official are authorized to make such inspections and take such actions as may be required to enforce the provisions of this chapter.

C. Right of Entry. Those persons entitled to make inspections may enter on premises to make inspections to the extent authorized by law. (Ord. 2016-0027 § 1; Ord. 2009-014 § 1; prior code § 50.02.201)

All buildings or portions thereof which are determined after inspection by the building official to be dangerous, as defined in this chapter, are declared to be public nuisances and shall be abated by repair, rehabilitation, demolition, securement or removal in accordance with the procedure specified in Section 8.96.130 of this chapter. (Prior code § 50.02.202)

A. Criminal and Civil Actions. No responsible party, whether as owner, lessee, sublessee, or occupant, shall erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, demolish, equip, use, occupy, or maintain any building or premises, or cause or permit the same to be done, contrary to or in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter or any order issued by the building official hereunder. For purposes of this chapter "person" includes individuals, partnerships, corporations or other business forms. Any person violating the provisions of this section or any other provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor for each day such violation continues. Any person violating the provisions of this section or any other provision of this chapter shall also be liable for civil penalties of not less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) or more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) for each day the violation continues. The city attorney may seek civil penalties in any civil action brought to enforce any provision of this chapter.

B. Administrative Penalties. In addition to criminal sanctions, civil penalties as provided in this section, and other remedies set forth in this chapter, administrative penalties may be imposed pursuant to Chapter 1.28 of this code against any responsible party, whether owner, lessee, sublessor or sublessee or occupant of any premise in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter. Imposition, enforcement, collection and administrative review of administrative penalties imposed shall be conducted pursuant to Chapter 1.28 of this code.

C. Reasonable Period to Correct Violations. No administrative penalty shall be imposed for violations of city building, plumbing, electrical, or structural codes or provisions of the Planning and Development Code unless the owner has been provided a reasonable period of time to correct the violation before imposition of the penalty, except in those cases in which there is an immediate danger to health or safety. The reasonable period for purposes of this chapter shall be thirty (30) days from service of a notice and order issued pursuant to this chapter.

D. The increased civil penalties, imposition of administrative penalties, and modification of the crime classification from an infraction to a misdemeanor shall apply to all violations where a notice and order or other official notice from the city has not been sent to the person in violation prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter. The civil penalties and crime classification as provided in the city code prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter shall continue to apply to all violations where a notice and order or other official notice of violation was sent by the city prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter. (Ord. 2013-0021 § 22; Ord. 2000-017 § 4(a)(21); prior code § 50.02.203)

All buildings or structures within the scope of this chapter and all construction or work for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection in accordance with and in the manner provided by applicable provisions of Titles 8 and 15 of this code. (Prior code § 50.02.204)

The City of Sacramento Housing Code Advisory and Appeals Board shall hear appeals provided for hereunder and shall provide final interpretations of this chapter. Appeals to the board shall be processed in accordance with article V of this chapter. The housing code advisory and appeals board shall be referred to as the housing board in this chapter. (Ord. 2025-0002 § 4; prior code § 50.02.205)