Laguna Hills City Zoning Code

This chapter provides for the establishment of administrative procedures to enhance compliance with provisions of the development code.

The City Building Official shall act as the Chief Compliance Officer and shall be responsible for the administration, and maintenance of the municipal code compliance process. The Chief Code Compliance Officer shall, in cooperation with department heads, designate Compliance Officers within the Building, Engineering, Public Works, and Planning Departments to aid in the investigation and administration of the compliance process for all development code related matters.

It is the policy of the city to obtain timely compliance and to correct deviations from standards and requirements of the development code. The aesthetic values, safety, health, and welfare of the community as a whole depends upon the voluntary and cooperative efforts of citizens to respond to and to correct notice of violations. The city may elect to seek compliance by administrative means prior to or in lieu of prosecution through criminal or civil actions in accordance with Section 9-100.020.

Each person designated to perform compliance and enforcement actions under this code shall receive appropriate training as may be required under existing law to qualify as a “peace officer” having appropriate powers for arrest and citation as may be prescribed by that law and necessary to implement and insure compliance with municipal law. Such authority shall be limited. Periodic training to maintain proficiency or certification shall be required consistent with governing state law.

The Chief Code Compliance Officer and the City Attorney, or their designated representatives, shall prepare and maintain a manual establishing a standardized code compliance process for use by all divisions of the city. The manual shall be maintained to reflect amendments to law or process as may be necessary. The manual shall set forth the process, procedures, and formats for notice, service, and negotiation that form the focus of the compliance system.

Whenever an emergency shall exist by virtue of federal, state, county, or municipal declaration, the city may suspend compliance procedures and processes in the interest of public health, safety, and general welfare. The city shall take reasonable corrective actions necessary to insure the removal of any threats to life, limb, or health resultant from the declared emergency.