About Code Compliance

The Housing & Community Development (HCD) brings together a range of Land Use functions, including Housing, Planning, Building, Engineering, and Environmental Services to ensure safe building construction, plan for the future needs of the County, manage infrastructure and county facilities, and protect natural resources.

The mission of the Code Compliance division is to preserve and enhance the safety, appearance and economic stability of our community through diligent enforcement of codes, applicable ordinances and land use regulations.

The Code Compliance Division of Building Services enforces the Grading and Building codes in the unincorporated area of Monterey County for health and safety purposes. Enforcement actions are taken both proactively and in response to a complaint.

Planning and zoning violations are enforced by the Code Compliance division.

Our goal is to obtain voluntary compliance from citizens whenever possible. Generally, the enforcement of codes occurs on both a reactive (complaint from a community source) and a proactive (initiated by the inspector) basis. There are however, a number of violations that are only enforced after a complaint is received.

When a code violation is reported, we open a complaint and work towards resolving the violation through a process of education, inspection, and notices. Continued violations are followed by progressive enforcement. Each code has its own set of enforcement procedures; however the process generally follows this sequence:

1. Complaint received or violation observed by an inspector.
2. Inspection conducted.
3. Notice sent to violator allowing time for corrections.
4. Re-inspection conducted.
5. Additional time granted to allow for correction if warranted.
6. Administrative Hearing process started if violation not corrected.
7. Criminal prosecution filed if not corrected.  Abatement (violation removed by County contractor) and lien.

Complaint forms (to report suspected code violations) will be available in the office and on the public website - Click Code Violation Reporting to be taken to the form.

1. Identify the specific complaint or nuisance.
2. Give your name, address, and telephone number. (This information is kept confidential).
3. Give the Assessor's Parcel Number (APN), street name, and house number. If APN is unknown, give address.
4. Give specific description of complaint.

Filing a Complaint

• Online: Please visit our Online Permit Information page to see what can be done on Accela Citizen Access (ACA). You may click here to file a complaint online. The instructions below show how to register for an account and submit a code compliance complaint on-line.
  

To Submit a Code Compliance Complaint Online:

• Log in using the user name and password you created when registering for your account
• Click on the "CE Complaint" tab at the main menu
• Click the check box to acknowledge that you have read and accept the terms of use
• Click on "Continue Application"
• Click on the check box to auto fill with your information
• Click on "Continue Application"
• Enter the Parcel Number and click "Search"
• Enter the address and click "Continue Application"
• Enter the nature of the complaint, please be as specific as possible,
• Click on "Continue Application"
• Review the information for accuracy,  if anything needs to be changed click on  "Edit" next to the category that needs to be changed.  Click on "Continue Application"
• You will receive a message that says" Your CE complaint has been successfully submitted. Please print your record and retain a copy for your records.  The complaint number will be is 20CEXXXXX"

• In Person: 
  Download the Code Compliance complaint form and complete all required information and deliver to:

Building Services Code Compliance, 1441 Schilling Place, 2nd Floor, Salinas, CA 93901

• E-mail:
  The CE complaint Form may be submitted by e-mail cecomplaints@co.monterey.ca.us or using the submit button on the Code Compliance complaint form (preferred) from the website
   
• Phone:
  Call the Code Compliance complaint hotline at (831) 796-3674 and you will be prompted to leave a voice message. Please have the nature and address of the complaint available.
  

• Mail:
  Download the Code Compliant complaint form and complete all required information and mail to:

Building Services Code Compliance, 1441 Schilling Place, 2nd Floor, Salinas, CA 93901

Investigating a Complaint

The following are typical steps in investigating a report of a violation.

Office Work:

• The Code Enforcement Inspector will receive the case including a brief description of the alleged violation(s), the site address, the Assessors Parcel Number, aerial photographs, a list of permits on record, and whether the alleged violation is in progress.
   
• If applicable, the Code Enforcement Inspector may research other sources to obtain additional information pertaining to the property, including permit history, and the building record from the Monterey County Assessor's office.
   
• If applicable, the Code Enforcement Inspector may conduct in-house research of building, grading and zoning permits that have been issue for the subject property to determine the legality of structures, uses, and grading activity on the property.

Field Work:

• The Code Enforcement Inspector will conduct an inspection to verify the validity of the complaint.
   
• If the Code Enforcement Inspector determines that a violation exists, a Stop Work Notice (work or activity in progress) or a Notice of Violation (work or activity completed) will be posted on the property or mailed to owners. Photos will be taken at that time.
   
• If the Code Enforcement Inspector makes the determination that no violation exists photos will also be taken for documentation purposes.
  
  Note: It is important that photos are taken whether the violation is confirmed or is determined to have no merit. Photographs will assist the property owner and our staff in processing permits to clear the violations.