The City of Point Arena’s Code Enforcement program is complaint-driven. The City does not conduct routine, proactive code enforcement inspections. Code Enforcement generally begins when the City receives a complaint regarding a potential violation or public nuisance.
If you believe a code violation or public nuisance exists within the City, you may submit a Notice of Complaint/Violation to the City. The City will review the complaint and determine what action, if any, is appropriate under the Point Arena Municipal Code.
REPORT A CODE ENFORCEMENT CONCERN
To report a potential code violation or public nuisance, complete the City’s Notice of Complaint/Violation form.
Please provide as much specific information as possible, including the location of the concern, dates and times, a description of the condition, and any photographs or other supporting documentation. Information about vehicles, individuals, or specific public health and safety concerns may also be helpful.
Submit your complaint:
Email: codeofficer@pointarena.ca.gov
Mail: City of Point Arena, P.O. Box 67, Point Arena, CA 95468
In Person: City Hall, 451 School Street, Monday–Wednesday, 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
Phone: (707) 882-2122
Complaints may be submitted anonymously; however, anonymous complaints may limit the City’s ability to follow up or take enforcement action.
Download Notice of Complaint/Violation Form
COMMON CODE ENFORCEMENT CONCERNS
The City’s Code Enforcement complaint form includes concerns such as:
- Unlawful Camping
- Overnight Vehicle Habitation
- Abandoned Vehicles
- Trash or Debris Accumulation
- Unsafe Structures
- Noise Disturbances
- Blocking Sidewalks or Rights-of-Way
- Sewage or Sanitation Concerns
- Fire Hazards
- Animal Concerns
- Junk or Storage Violations
- Other potential code violations
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE & PUBLIC NUISANCES
The Point Arena Municipal Code establishes standards for property maintenance and identifies conditions that may constitute a public nuisance.
Examples include abandoned or deteriorated buildings, accumulated trash or debris, junk or discarded materials visible from public areas, unsafe structures, abandoned or inoperative vehicles, hazardous conditions, overgrown vegetation that creates a fire or health hazard, deteriorated fences or walls, and conditions that interfere with drainage or create erosion or other safety concerns.
The City’s nuisance abatement provisions are intended to protect public health, safety, and welfare and provide procedures for addressing conditions that qualify as nuisances.
View Nuisance Abatement Ordinance
HOW CODE ENFORCEMENT WORKS
Because the program is complaint-driven, the City’s response depends on the circumstances of each complaint and the applicable provisions of the Municipal Code.
Depending on the violation and circumstances, enforcement may include:
- Complaint and Investigation
The City reviews the complaint and investigates the reported condition as appropriate. - Notice of Violation or Notice and Order to Abate
Where appropriate, the City may provide notice identifying the violation or nuisance and the corrective action required. - Administrative Citation
The City may issue an administrative citation and civil penalty for violations covered by the Administrative Citation Ordinance. - Nuisance Abatement
For conditions determined to constitute a public nuisance, the City may use the nuisance abatement procedures established in Chapter 8.05 of the Point Arena Municipal Code. - Other Enforcement Remedies
Administrative citations and nuisance abatement are not the City’s only enforcement options. The Municipal Code allows the City to use other legal or enforcement remedies where appropriate.
ADMINISTRATIVE CITATIONS & PENALTIES
The City’s Administrative Citation Ordinance provides a process for addressing certain Municipal Code violations through civil administrative penalties.
Administrative citations are issued at the City’s discretion and may be used alone or together with other enforcement procedures.
The ordinance establishes the following maximum administrative penalties for violations generally:
| Violation | Maximum Penalty |
|---|---|
| First violation | Up to $100 |
| Second violation of the same provision within one year | Up to $200 |
| Additional violation of the same provision within one year | Up to $500 |
Different maximum penalties apply to certain building and zoning violations that create an immediate health or safety danger: up to $100 for a first violation, $500 for a second violation within one year, and $1,000 for each additional violation.
For certain continuing building, plumbing, electrical, structural, or zoning violations that do not present an immediate health or safety danger, the ordinance requires notice and a reasonable opportunity to correct the violation before a citation is issued, generally not less than 30 days.
View Administrative Citations and Penalties Ordinance
APPEALING AN ADMINISTRATIVE CITATION
A person who receives a Notice of Violation or Administrative Citation may request an administrative hearing.
A written appeal must be filed with the City within 10 days of service of the citation. An advance deposit of the total fine, or an approved hardship waiver, must accompany the appeal.
The City will set a hearing before a hearing officer between 10 and 30 days after receiving the appeal. If the appeal is decided in the appellant’s favor, the advance deposit is refunded. Failure to timely file an appeal waives the right to appeal.
Payment of an administrative citation does not relieve the responsible party of the obligation to correct the violation or stop the activity.
Download Appeal of Notice of Violation/Administrative Citation Form
NUISANCE ABATEMENT
The City’s nuisance abatement ordinance provides procedures for addressing conditions that constitute a public nuisance.
When a property is determined to be a public nuisance, the City may issue a notice and order identifying the property, the conditions that constitute the nuisance, the corrective actions required, a reasonable time for correction, and the right to appeal.
If a nuisance is not corrected as required, the City may use City employees or a contractor to perform the necessary abatement work. The costs may be charged to the property owner and, under the procedures established by the Municipal Code, may become a special assessment or nuisance abatement lien.
In circumstances involving an imminent or immediate danger to public health or safety, the Municipal Code also provides for summary abatement under specified conditions.
The nuisance abatement ordinance also establishes civil penalties for nuisance violations, including daily penalties that may increase for subsequent violations.
View Nuisance Abatement Ordinance
FORMS & DOCUMENTS
Code Enforcement Notice of Complaint/Violation
Use this form to report a potential code violation or public nuisance.
Appeal of Notice of Violation/Administrative Citation
Use this form to request an administrative hearing regarding a Notice of Violation or Administrative Citation.
Administrative Citations and Penalties
Point Arena Municipal Code Chapter 1.08.
Nuisance Abatement
Point Arena Municipal Code Chapter 8.05.
CONTACT CODE ENFORCEMENT
City of Point Arena
451 School Street
P.O. Box 67
Point Arena, CA 95468
Phone: (707) 882-2122
Code Enforcement: codeofficer@pointarena.ca.gov
City Hall Hours: Monday–Wednesday, 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
For complaints, please use the Notice of Complaint/Violation form whenever possible and provide sufficient detail for the City to identify and evaluate the reported condition.
