(A) Upon discovering or observing any violation of the municipal code or other law the City is authorized to enforce, an enforcement officer may issue an administrative citation, in a form approved by the city manager, to the responsible party or responsible parties, with the following contents:
1. Date and location of the violation(s), including the street address, if any, and the approximate time the violation(s) were observed;
2. Section(s) of the code violated and brief description of how the section(s) are violated; if the citation is for a violation of the Code of Building Regulations set forth in section 5-1-3 of title V, the citation shall include a statement specifying the behaviors or conditions which constitute the violation;
3. Description of the action required to correct the violation(s), if applicable; and if applicable, the date by which the violation must be corrected;
4. Order to the responsible party to report to the issuing enforcement officer when each cited violation is cured, along with the responsible party's necessary contact information for the enforcement officer to verify;
5. Statement explaining the consequences of failure to correct the violation(s), including the City pursuing additional enforcement action under the code to obtain compliance;
6. Amount of fine imposed for the violation(s) as set forth in section 1-1-11 with explanation of how the fine shall be paid and the time period by which it shall be paid, and the consequences of failure to pay the fine;
7. Right to contest the validity of the violations found in the administrative citation with reference to the appeal process under section 1-3-8 and the name and address of the office of the city manager for purposes of filing any notice of appeal; and
8. Signature of the enforcement officer.
(B) The enforcement officer shall attempt to issue the citation to the responsible party for any violation of this code. For purposes of issuance of a citation to an entity, the citation may be issued to the person in immediate control of the entity on site at the time of the issuance of the administrative citation and fine (as determined by the enforcement officer's observation), the person or entity registered as the agent for service of process of the entity through the California Secretary of State, or the registered agent of the entity on file with the City if the entity has a business license with the City, as the case may be.
(C) Whenever any document, notice, or administrative citation is required to be served under this section, unless specifically provided otherwise, it may be served by any one of the following methods:
1. Personal service on the party.
2. First-class or certified mail to the party at that party's last known address, but if no valid address that party can be determined, then by posting in a conspicuous place on the property upon which a violation of this code exists.
3. For any parties that reside at, or occupy, the property upon which a violation of this code exists, by posting in a conspicuous place on said property.
4. For any party registered with the Secretary of State, by certified mail to that party's agent for service of process at the address registered with the Secretary of State, or as otherwise permitted by law. For any such party required to register with the Secretary of State that has not designated an agent for service of process with the Secretary of State, then a notice may be served on that party by certified mail to the Secretary of State.
5. By email to the party when an email address is provided by that party and service by email is agreed to by that party.
Service by mail shall be deemed effective upon deposit in the mail. Service by posting shall be deemed effective at the time of posting. Service by email shall be deemed effective at the time of emailing. The failure of any party, or any other person with a legal or equitable interest in the property upon which a violation of this code exists, to receive any notice or administrative citation served in accordance with this section shall not affect the validity of the notice nor any proceeding conducted pursuant to that notice. (Ord. 797-13, 6-18-2013; amd. Ord. 852-23, 7-18-2023)