Policy Text
Field Services 1 of 2 7/19 (REV 9/03)
Zoning and Housing Ordi nance Violations
The Sheriff's Department recogniz ed that zoning and housing ord inance violations
adversely affect the quality of life of the citizens of Sacrame nto County. A large
percentage of property owners co rrect minor violations upon rec eiving official
notification. Officers may iss ue a notice and warning, a noti ce and order and/or a
notice to appear citation to pr operty owners/managers to correc t the violations.
I. Overview
A. "Zoning Ordinance" refers to the Sacramento County Code, Tit le 22, Land
Development. "Housing Ordinance " refers to the Sacramento Coun ty Code,
Title 16, Buildings and Construction.
B. Problem oriented policing offi cers who observe violations of the Zoning and/or
Housing Ordinances may issue noti ce and warning for the Zoning Ordinance
or a notice and order for the Hous ing Ordinance which specifies the violation
and the compliance required.
C. Officers may issue a notice to appear citation to the proper ty owner/manager
for violations of the Zoning and Housing Ordinance or for failu re to comply
with corrections of the violations within the prescribed time.
D. Officers may also refer an inve stigation of Zoning or Housin g Ordinance
violations to other appropriate agencies.
II. Warning Notices
The standard County of Sacrament o, Planning and Community Devel opment
Department forms will be used to m aintain standardized document ation between the
Planning Department and the Sheriff's Department.
A. Notice and Warning to Remove a Public Nuisance - This is to be used for
Zoning and Housing Ordinance violations.
B. Notice and Order – This form m ay be used for Housing Ordinan ce violations
in which a dwelling or property is substandard and constitutes a public
nuisance.
III. Citations
A. Officers shall use a standard County of Sacramento, Sheriff' s Department,
Notice to Appear Citation.
Field Services 2 of 2 7/19 (REV 9/03)
B. The citation shall be issued to the property owner or the pe rson in care and
control of the property.
C. The officer shall assign a court appearance in Department 81 at Carol Miller
Justice Center (301 Bicentenn ial Dr., 916-815-7800) for 2:30 P. M. on a
specific Friday, at least four w eeks from the citation date.
D. Violations within the Elk Gr ove Court Jurisdiction: The off icer shall assign a
court appearance in Elk Grove C ourt (8978 Elk Grove Blvd., 916- 685-9825)
for 10 A.M. on a specific Monday , three weeks from the citation date.
E. Officers shall not check t he "Booking Required" box.
F. Officers shall stamp each c opy of the citation with the red "Nuisance" stamp.
IV. Reports
A. When officers issue a citation for zoning and/or Housing Ord inance violations,
they shall complete a full report to document the violations. The report shall
include a Crime Report, Suspec t Report, Continuation Report, an d any other
necessary forms. The report sha ll document the violations, the location of the
involved property, the issuance of warning notices, contacts wi th the property
owner/manager, and the citation.
B. Officers shall obtain a repor t number from the Sheriff's Dep artment Records
Bureau.
C. The face sheet of the report sha ll be marked as a nuisance c ase by stamping
"Nuisance" with red letters. A "nuisance" stamp will be availa ble at each
station and each service center.
V. Collection of Evidence
A. Officers shall record and collect evidence as necessary.
B. Photographs of violations shall be placed in photo envelopes. The property
form and envelopes shall be stam ped with the red "Nuisance" sta mp;
Property Warehouse Personnel will maintain photographs for the District
Attorney's Office, Nuisance Abatement D.A.