The City Council finds that, in addition to the filing of civil collection actions by the City Attorney, the use of nuisance abatement liens collected as personal obligations against property owners and the use of special assessments on real property will assist in the collection of civil penalties, abatement costs, administrative costs, re-inspection fees and late fees assessed pursuant to administrative citations, administrative hearings, judicial orders and other appropriate code enforcement actions. The City Council further finds that collection of civil penalties, costs and fees assessed for code enforcement violations is important in deterring future violations and maintaining the integrity of the city's code enforcement system. The city has the authority to make the expense of enforcement actions and abatement of any nuisance a lien against the property on which it is maintained and a personal obligation against the property owner, in accordance with California Government Code § 38773.1; or, in the alternative, the city has the authority to make the cost of abatement of a nuisance upon a parcel of land a special assessment against that parcel, in accordance with California Government Code § 38773.5. The procedures established in this division shall be used to complement existing administrative or judicial remedies which may be pursued to address violations of the City of Indio Municipal Code or applicable state codes.
(Ord. 1809, passed 2-21-24)