Title
Recommendation to Review the Planning and Building Code Enforcement Program in Response to the City Council's November 19, 2019 Referral, and Provide Direction on Potential Future Changes to the Existing Enforcement Program. (Planning, Building and Transportation 481005)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
At the November 19, 2019 City Council meeting, the City Council approved a referral (Exhibit 1) from Councilmember Vella requesting a review of the City of Alameda's (City) code enforcement program. This report provides a description of the City's current Planning and Building Code Enforcement Program and options for Program adjustments for City Council consideration.
BACKGROUND
The Planning and Building Code Enforcement Program (Program) enforces Alameda Municipal Code (AMC) and California Building and Housing Code regulations related to building, zoning and neighborhood preservation. AMC regulations related to non-zoning and building code regulations, such as no-smoking ordinances, living wage ordinances, plastic straw ordinances, are enforced primarily by the Police Department, Public Works Department, and/or Base Reuse and Community Development Department.
The Program is funded by planning and building permit fees and is comprised of one (1) senior code enforcement officer, two (2) code enforcement officers and one (1) administrative staff person. It is supervised by the Planning, Building and Transportation Department Assistant Director/Building Official.
The Program is a complaint-based program that responds to code violations that are reported to the City by residents and businesses. Program staff does not proactively seek the abatement of violations. The Program receives an average of 250 unique complaints a year and resolves about an equal number of cases each year. Cases resolved may be cases received in that same year or cases that have taken several years to resolve. Although, most ca...
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