For the purposes of this Chapter certain words are defined as follows:
ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS. All costs incurred by or on behalf of the County from the date of the initial discovery of the violation of the County Code through the applicable appeal process and until compliance is achieved. Administrative costs include, but are not limited to: contractor's costs, staff time in investigating the violation, staff and attorney time in preparing inspection or abatement warrants (where applicable), inspecting the property where the violation occurred, preparing investigation reports, sending notices, preparing for and attending any appeal hearing, telephone contacts, correspondence, the cost of an administrative hearing officer (where applicable), and attorney's fees (where applicable).
CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS. Pursuant to Penal Code §§ 829.5 and 836.5, a Code Enforcement Officer is any County employee or agent appointed by the Chief Executive Officer working under the general direction of the Code Enforcement Chief who has the authority and duty to investigate and initiate any action necessary to ensure compliance with the provisions of the County Code, the provisions of any code adopted by reference by the County Code, and when designated by the County Code, parking laws and regulations.
DAYS. Consecutive, calendar days.
ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. Any County employee, Special District employee, or agent of the County with the authority to enforce or administer any provision of the County Code, including, but not limited to:
(1) Code Enforcement Officers;
(2) The Building Official, each Regional Building and Safety Supervisor, each Building Inspector, and other designated employees of the Building and Safety Division of the Land Use Services Department;
(3) The Fire Chief/Fire Warden, the Fire Marshal, and other designated employees of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District;
(4) The Division Chief, each Inspector, and other designated employees of the Environmental Health Services Division of the Department of Public Health;
(5) The Division Chief, each Animal Control Supervisor, each Animal Control Officer, and other designated employees of the Animal Care and Control Division of the Department of Public Health;
(6) The Sheriff-Coroner, each Deputy Sheriff (all ranks), and other designated employees of the Sheriff's Department;
(7) The Director and other designated employees of the Public Works Department;
(8) The Chief Executive Officer and any other director and other designated employees of a County department or special district as designated by the Chief Executive Officer, or the Board of Supervisors.
HEARING OFFICER. Unless otherwise provided for in this Chapter, a hearing officer has the same meaning as defined by Chapter 27 of Division 2 of Title 1 of the County Code.
INTERESTED PARTIES. Those individuals or entities with a recorded deed of trust, assignment, lease, or other document showing a monetary interest in the property at issue, and some ability or potential obligation to cure violations on the property according to the recorded document. It does not include judgment lienholders.
PERSON. Means without limitation, any natural person, firm, association, club, organization, corporation, partnership, business, trust, company or other entity.
RESPONSIBLE PARTY. Except as otherwise provided in Titles 1 through 8, inclusive, a responsible party includes one or more of the following:
(1) Each person who has a legal or equitable ownership interest in any parcel of real property located within the unincorporated area of the County (referred to also as "owner"), whether or not the owner of record, and who commits, causes, or otherwise allows a violation of the County Code to occur, exist, or continue on such parcel.
(2) Each person, other than a minor, who commits, causes, or otherwise allows a violation of the County Code to occur, exist, or continue.
(3) Each person who is the parent or legal guardian of a minor person who commits, causes, or otherwise allows a violation of the County Code to occur, exist, or continue.
(4) Each person who, although not an owner, nevertheless has a legal right or legal obligation to exercise possession and control over any parcel of real property located within the unincorporated area of the County and who commits, causes, or otherwise allows a violation of the County Code to occur, exist, or continue on such parcel.
(5) Any business entity to whom a violation of the County Code is reasonably attributable to that entity, in addition to any other responsible party. In such case notices shall be issued in the name of the business entity as a responsible party.
(6) Each person who is an owner of a business entity as described in subdivision (e).
(Ord. 4424, passed - -2021)