Source: https://www.codepublishing.com/WA/Chelan/html/Chelan02/Chelan0280.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 20:31:40+00:00

Document:
2.80.110 Requirement and responsibility to comply with enforced codes.
2.80.130 Required elements of notices and orders.
2.80.140 Service of notices and orders.
2.80.150 Prohibition against issuance of permits.
2.80.160 Monetary penalties and costs.
2.80.170 Inspection – Notice of compliance.
2.80.210 Administrative appeal to the city administrator.
2.80.220 Quasi-judicial appeal to the hearing examiner.
2.80.230 Judicial appeal to superior court.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish a uniform administrative system to enforce the Chelan Municipal Code to ensure the citizenry’s health, safety, and welfare, without undue delay, and to ensure a violator is afforded due process, all under the authority of, without limitation, Article XI, Section 11 of the Washington Constitution (Enforcement of Police and Sanitary Regulations), RCW 35A.21.160 (General Laws Applicable to Code Cities), Chapter 7.80 RCW (Civil Infractions) and RCW 35A.63.170 (Hearing Examiner System). Any duty created by this chapter is a general duty running in favor of the public, and does not accrue in favor of an individual. (Ord. 1502 § 2 (Exh. A) (part), 2015).
The enforcement provisions of this chapter shall apply to the codes adopted under Section 15.04.020, the licenses under Title 3, and any violation of the Chelan Municipal Code that is not designated as a misdemeanor or civil infraction, which shall be referred to in this chapter as an “enforced code.” In the event of a conflict between this chapter and an enforced code, this chapter shall control. (Ord. 1502 § 2 (Exh. A) (part), 2015).
Except as otherwise provided in this section, all terms shall have the meaning as defined by the enforced codes, or in the absence of specific definition, terms shall be defined by their plain meaning.
“Costs” means the costs incurred by the city enforcing an enforced code, including, without limitation, the issuance of a notice or order; the service of a notice or order; the enforcement of a notice or order; inspections to whether a violation exists and/or has been corrected; or abating a violation, all including costs of independent contractors and attorneys’ fees.
“Enforced code” means any provision referenced in Section 2.80.020.
“Enforcement officer” means the officer or employee of the city responsible for the interpretation and/or enforcement of an enforced code. “Enforcement officer” shall include, but is not limited to, the city administrator, a director or employee or contractor designated by the mayor, city administrator or director.
“Hearing examiner” means the hearing examiner described in Chapter 2.15.
“Monetary penalties” means the penalties that accrue as a result of a violation, as set out in Section 2.80.160.
“Notices and orders” mean the notices and orders identified in Section 2.80.120, wherein a violation is identified and a response by the violator is requested.
“Nuisance vehicle” means any inoperable vehicle or junk vehicle as defined in Chapter 10.38.
“Owner” means any person, agent, operator, firm or corporation having a legal or equitable interest in the property; or recorded in the official records of the state, county or municipality as holding title to the property; or otherwise having control of the property, including tenants, the guardian of the estate of any such person, and the executor or administrator of the estate of such person if ordered to take possession of real property by a court, as well as a bankruptcy trustee.
“Permit” is synonymous with the term “license” and means any written authorization issued by the city upon an application by any person.
“Person” means an individual, male or female, a firm, partnership, association, institution or corporation or any other group acting as a unit.
“Violation” means any condition, act, failure to act or omission that violates the standards and requirements of an enforced code.
“Violator” means a person responsible for a violation. (Ord. 1502 § 2 (Exh. A) (part), 2015).
A. The enforced codes were adopted pursuant to the city’s police powers to protect the public’s health, safety, and welfare. It is mandatory to comply with the provisions of the enforced codes.
B. It is unlawful for any person to violate any enforced code. In addition to the violator, there is a rebuttable presumption that the owner of a vehicle, building, structure, premises, personal property or land upon or within which a violation has occurred or is occurring is also responsible for the violation, so long as the owner had or has actual or constructive knowledge of the violation at the time the violation occurred or is occurring.
C. Any adult who is responsible for the care or supervision of a juvenile less than eighteen years of age is liable for any violation of the enforced codes committed by the juvenile, so long as the responsible adult had or has actual or constructive knowledge of the violation at the time the violation occurred or is occurring. (Ord. 1502 § 2 (Exh. A) (part), 2015).
A. Correction Notice. The enforcement officer may issue a correction notice requiring a violator abate a violation by a specific date. The correction notice may not impose monetary penalties or costs and is not subject to appeal.
B. Correction Order. The enforcement officer may issue a correction order requiring a violator abate a violation be corrected by a specific date. The correction order may impose monetary penalties and costs according to Section 2.80.160.
1. A failure to comply with the requirements of a correction order constitutes a second or subsequent violation and may result in the issuance of an additional notice or order.
2. It shall be a separate violation for each and every day or portion thereof during which any violation occurs.
5. The condition or activity which is the subject of the permit or license is a hazard to the public health, safety, or welfare.
c. Fifteen Days. In all other cases, upon notice to the violator of fifteen days.
2. Abatement without Notice. Whenever any violation causes or constitutes or reasonably appears to cause or constitute an imminent or immediate danger to the health or safety of persons, and the violator is not known or cannot be contacted, the enforcement officer may abate the violation, without notice.
b. That the violation may be abated by the city, with the city’s costs and attorneys’ fees to be imposed upon the violator.
Proceeding under the provisions of this subsection (D)(3) shall not prejudice the city’s ability to proceed to abate the violation under subsections (D)(1) or (2) of this section.
4. Method of Abatement. The city may abate the violation with its own forces, or through an independent party.
5. Costs of Abatement. The violator shall reimburse the city for all costs incurred by the city in abating the violation, and the city shall have a lien for such costs on the property on which the violation was located, to be enforced or collected as a lien for labor and materials, pursuant to Chapter 60.04 RCW, except that the lien shall not terminate for lack of action to foreclose.
E. Criminal Prosecution. A third violation of the same provision of an enforced code within a two-year period shall constitute a misdemeanor.
7. If the terms of the correction agreement are not satisfied, the violator shall be assessed a monetary penalty commencing on the date set for abatement, plus costs, and the city may enter the property and abate the violation without notice, pursuant to subsection D of this section.
Nothing in this subsection prevents the enforcement officer from extending the time for abating the violation, or modifying the required abatement if, in the enforcement officer’s reasonable opinion, the violator has exhibited due diligence and/or substantial progress in abating the violation but that unforeseen circumstances render the abatement under the original conditions unattainable.
G. Judicial Relief. Nothing in this chapter prevents the city from filing a complaint or petition in a court of competent jurisdiction to seek any relief authorized by law before first seeking compliance through enforcement mechanisms identified in this section, when civil, administrative enforcement options or criminal prosecution would not prove timely or effective. (Ord. 1502 § 2 (Exh. A) (part), 2015).
8. Such other and further information the enforcement officer reasonably deems appropriate under the circumstances.
3. The violator may appeal the imposition of cumulative daily monetary penalties only.
D. Failure to Include Information. The failure to include all information set out in subsections A, B and C of this section shall not render a notice or order void or unenforceable so long as the notice or order reasonably apprises the violator of the violation and the action to be taken by the violator pursuant to the notice or order, but shall be considered in calculating the total monetary penalty assessed against the violator. (Ord. 1502 § 2 (Exh. A) (part), 2015).
A. Service. The enforcement officer shall cause notices or orders to be served upon the violator, either personally, or by mailing a copy of it to the violator’s last known address and by conspicuously affixing or posting it on the building, structure, premises, personal property, or land upon or within which the violation has occurred or is occurring. If cumulative daily monetary penalties are sought, service by posting may only be done if the violator cannot be personally served within Chelan County and if an address for mailed service cannot be ascertained by reference to public records. If the violator is the owner of the property that is the site of the violation, but does not live at the site of the violation, and if the personal address of the violator is unknown, the enforcement officer may serve the notice or order by mailing it to the billing address for the property that is on file in the Chelan County assessor’s office.
B. Additional Persons to Be Served. If known or disclosed from the Chelan County assessor’s office, one copy of the notice or order may be served on the holder of any mortgage or deed of trust or other lien or encumbrance of record or any lease of record or the holder of any other estate or legal interest of record in any building, structure, land, personal property or premises on which a violation has occurred or is occurring. The failure to effect service on any person permitted to be served according to this subsection shall not invalidate any proceeding under this chapter as to any other person duly served or relieve any such person from any duty or obligation imposed by this chapter.
2. The owner of record of the property upon which the nuisance vehicle is located.
D. Service by Posting. If the violator is served by posting it shall be treated in the same manner as service by mailing.
E. Proof of Service. Proof of service shall be made by a written declaration under penalty of perjury executed by the person effecting service, declaring the time and date of service, and the manner by which service was made. Additionally, if served by posting and cumulative penalties are sought, the declaration shall include the facts showing the efforts used in attempting to serve the person personally or by mail. (Ord. 1502 § 2 (Exh. A) (part), 2015).
The city shall not issue any permit to a violator or to a business, corporation, limited liability company or partnership in which a violator has an interest, until the enforcement officer has verified the violation has been abated. (Ord. 1502 § 2 (Exh. A) (part), 2015).
A. Initial Monetary Penalty. A violator shall incur an initial monetary penalty according to the schedule in subsection C of this section.
B. Cumulative Daily Monetary Penalty. In addition to the initial monetary penalty assessed in subsection A of this section, a violator shall incur a cumulative daily monetary penalty according to the schedule in subsection C of this section, for each day the violator fails to comply with a notice or order by the date specified in the notice or order; provided, a cumulative daily monetary penalty shall not accrue if the notice or order does not advise the violator of the right to appeal the accrual of the cumulative daily monetary penalty, pursuant to Section 2.80.130(C).
C. Schedule of Monetary Penalties. The monetary penalties for first, second and subsequent violations of an enforced code within any two-year period shall be set out on the city’s rate resolution.
D. Accrual of Cumulative Daily Monetary Penalties During Appeal. Cumulative daily monetary penalties shall accrue during the period where a violation has been appealed unless the violator prevails on appeal. Accrued monetary penalties shall not exceed five times the amount of the daily monetary penalty for any single violation from the first date of the violation through the date of a final decision on an appeal.
E. Maximum Accrual of Cumulative Daily Monetary Penalties. The accrual of cumulative daily monetary penalties pursuant to a notice or order shall be limited to an amount equal to five times the daily monetary penalty.
F. Costs Incurred by the City. In addition to monetary penalties, the violator shall be assessed the costs incurred by the city.
G. Payment Does Not Excuse Nonabatement of a Violation. Payment of any monetary penalties associated with the violation does not relieve the violator of the duty to abate the violation.
H. Collection of Monetary Penalties and Costs.
1. Payment. Monetary penalties and costs shall be paid to the city ten calendar days after a notice or order is served on the violator is served or thirteen days after a notice or order is mailed to the violator. If a violation or the cumulative daily monetary penalty is appealed, monetary penalties and costs are due thirteen calendar days after the final decision from such appeal is mailed to the violator. The provisions of Title 3 and/or the city’s rate resolution for dishonored checks and late fees and interest shall apply to payments due under this chapter.
2. Approved Collection Methods. The enforcement officer and/or the city attorney or the city attorney’s designee is authorized to take any action authorized by law to collect monetary penalties and costs. The violator shall reimburse the city for its costs incurred to collect monetary penalties and costs.
3. Authority to Negotiate Settlement. The enforcement officer and/or the city attorney may negotiate a settlement, compromise or otherwise dispose of an action for the collection of monetary penalties and costs when to do so would be in the best interest of the city.
I. Lien. Upon a failure to pay monetary penalties and costs when due, the city shall have a lien on the property on which a violation occurs. Such lien shall be subordinate to all previously existing special assessment liens imposed on the property and shall be superior to all other liens, except for state and county taxes. The claim of lien shall contain sufficient information regarding the notice or order, a description of the property to be charged with the lien, the owner of record and the total of the monetary penalties and costs. The claim of lien may be amended from time to time to reflect changed conditions. (Ord. 1502 § 2 (Exh. A) (part), 2015).
C. All monetary penalties and costs have been paid. (Ord. 1502 § 2 (Exh. A) (part), 2015).
A. Appeal – Purpose. The violator may appeal the enforcement officer’s decision that a violation exists, the method of abatement or the amount of the monetary penalty to the city administrator, pursuant to this section, which shall be referred to as an “administrative appeal.” The purpose of the administrative appeal process is to afford an appellant with an opportunity to appeal the enforcement officer’s decision that a violation exists, the method of abatement, or the imposition of a monetary penalty quickly, and without the delays associated with an appeal to the hearing examiner under Section 2.80.220. Filing an administrative appeal is not a condition to the filing of an appeal under Section 2.80.220.
B. Filing an administrative appeal. The provisions of Section 2.80.220(B) shall apply to the administrative appeal, except for Section 2.80.220(B)(5).
C. Procedure. Because the administrative appeal is intended to afford an appellant a review of the enforcement officer’s decision within a short period of time, the procedures for the conduct of an administrative appeal shall be abbreviated.
1. Hearing Date. The hearing date shall be not less than three, nor more than thirty, days from the date the notice of appeal is filed with the city clerk.
2. Notices. Notices of all proceedings shall be based on the contact information provided by the appellant in the notice of appeal. The appellant shall be responsible for contacting the city clerk, the enforcement officer and the city administrator regarding all processes relating to the administrative appeal.
3. Hearing. The hearing shall be limited to two hours. The provisions of Sections 2.80.220(C) and (D) shall generally apply to the administrative appeal, and the city administrator shall exercise their discretion in conducting the hearing, balancing the right of the appellant to be heard, with the length of time allowed for an administrative appeal.
4. Decision. The city administrator shall issue a written decision within five business days of the hearing, generally following the guidelines for the content of decisions in Section 2.80.220(D), except that findings of fact and conclusions are not required.
5. Appeal to Hearing Examiner. The appellant may appeal the decision of the city administrator to the hearing examiner, as set out in Section 2.80.220, except that the appeal shall be filed no more than five calendar days from the date of the decision of the city administrator. The record on the administrative appeal shall include the file of the enforcement officer and the decision of the city administrator. (Ord. 1502 § 2 (Exh. A) (part), 2015).
A. Appeal to Hearing Examiner. Except for the administrative appeal described in Section 2.80.210, all appeals under this chapter shall be heard by the hearing examiner.
1. Standing to Appeal. The violator, or any person having any record title or legal interest in the building, structure, premises, personal property, or land where the violation is alleged to exist may appeal a notice or order.
2. Filing Notice of Appeal. Except for an appeal from an administrative appeal under Section 2.80.210, an appeal of a notice or order shall be in writing, signed by the person appealing, and shall be filed with the city clerk no more than ten calendar days from the date the notice or order was served on the appellant or, if not served personally, no more than thirteen calendar days after the notice or order was mailed as provided in Section 2.80.140. The notice of appeal shall be accompanied by the filing fee established by city council.
f. A certification under oath by the appellant that the information in the notice of appeal is true.
4. Administrative Denial of Untimely Appeals. The enforcement officer may administratively deny an appeal as untimely if the notice of appeal is not timely filed. The administrative denial shall be in writing and served in compliance with Section 2.80.140. An appellant may appeal the enforcement officer’s administrative denial by filing an appropriate action in a court of competent jurisdiction within thirty days of the denial.
5. Failure to Appeal. Failure to appeal a notice or order constitutes a waiver of all right to an appeal and contest the violation or imposition of monetary penalties and/or costs.
1. Hearing Date. As soon as practical after receiving the notice of appeal, and after coordinating with the hearing examiner, the enforcement officer shall set a date, time and place for the hearing of the appeal, which shall be not less than thirty calendar days nor more than ninety calendar days from the date the notice of appeal was filed with the city clerk.
2. Notice of Hearing. The enforcement officer shall provide the appellant with notice of the time and place of the hearing by mail to the address provided by the appellant on the notice of appeal at least twenty calendar days prior to the date of the hearing.
b. The last registered and legal owner of record of the nuisance vehicle, unless the nuisance vehicle is in such condition that identification numbers are not available to determine ownership.
4. Subpoenas. The hearing examiner, at the request of a party, may subpoena witnesses necessary for the presentation of their respective cases. The subpoena may be served by the city or appellant either personally or by mailing a copy of the subpoena to the witness’s last known address. Proof of service shall be made by written declaration and executed by the person effecting service, declaring the time and date of service and the manner by which service was made. It shall be a misdemeanor to knowingly ignore the directives of a subpoena under this subsection.
5. Submission of Materials. The enforcement officer and appellant shall deliver to the hearing examiner and to each other all materials relevant to the appeal, including, but not limited to, staff reports, legal memoranda, exhibits, names of potential witnesses, along with a brief summary of any witness’s expected testimony, and any affidavits or declaration, at least seven calendar days before the scheduled hearing.
6. Pre-Hearing Conference. The hearing examiner may adopt procedures prior to an appeal hearing which will make the appeal hearing more efficient.
D. Appeal Hearings. The city has the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that a violation occurred, the required corrective action conforms to the enforced code and the monetary penalties are correctly imposed. The scope of review in an appeal hearing is de novo, except that the hearing examiner shall defer to the enforcement officer’s legal interpretation of the enforced code, unless the enforcement officer’s interpretation is arbitrary and capricious or clearly erroneous. Otherwise appeal hearings shall comply with the requirements of open record hearings at Chapter 19.30.
1. Special Provisions for Hearings Concerning Nuisance Vehicles.
a. The owner of the property on which a nuisance vehicle is located may appear in person at the hearing or present a written statement in time for consideration at the hearing and deny responsibility for the presence of the nuisance vehicle on the property.
b. The city may offer evidence to rebut the owner’s denial.
c. If the hearing examiner determines after hearing that the nuisance vehicle was placed on the owner’s property without the owner’s consent and that the owner did not subsequently acquiesce in its presence, then the city shall not be authorized to assess the monetary penalty and costs for the nuisance vehicle against the property upon which the nuisance vehicle is located or collect them from the owner.
7. The date and time when the city may abate the violation if the required corrective action is not taken within the time provided in the decision and that the appellant will be responsible for the city’s costs in completing the abatement.
8. If the appeal involves a nuisance vehicle, if the hearing examiner determines that a vehicle is a nuisance vehicle, the hearing examiner shall direct the Chelan County sheriff to dispose of the nuisance vehicle, or part thereof, under applicable law, and to give notice to the Washington State Patrol and the Washington Department of Licensing that the nuisance vehicle has been wrecked.
F. Cost of Appeal. The hearing examiner shall assess the costs of an appeal, including, but not limited to the hearing examiner’s fees and reasonable costs of staff time, if the hearing examiner finds the appeal was frivolous, or when an appellant fails to appear at an appeal hearing, unless for good cause shown for such failure.
G. Notice of Decision. The hearing examiner shall transmit their decision to the enforcement officer within ten calendar days after the appeal hearing. The enforcement officer shall serve the appellant with a copy of the decision in the same manner as serving notice of the appeal hearing.
4. A determination of the appropriate corrective action and that the appellant may be responsible for the city’s costs. (Amended during January 2016 update; Ord. 1502 § 2 (Exh. A) (part), 2015).
The city or appellant may appeal the hearing examiner’s final order to the Chelan County superior court under the procedures of the Land Use Petition Act, Chapter 36.70C or 7.16 RCW, whichever may apply. (Ord. 1502 § 2 (Exh. A) (part), 2015).

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