SR-8-A (67)
RA
u
<I'
... i
~j ,
f. \atty\munl\strpts\mjm\abate2 sr
City Council Meeting 6-17-97
'4 t 7 'i1J7.
Santa Monica, California
TO Mayor and City CounCil
FROM City Attorney
SUBJECT Ordinance Amending Chapter 8 12 of the Santa Monica Municipal Code,
Governing NUisance Abatement, by Adding and ClarifYing Remedies,
Streamlining Procedures, and ModifYing Notice Requirements
Introduction
At ItS meeting on Apn115, 1997, the City Council directed the City Attorney to prepare an
ordinance amending the City's nUisance abatement procedures In three ways (1) to
expressly authonze the NUisance Abatement Board to Impose conditions and requirements
upon businesses which are found by It to be operated as public nUisances, (2) to establish
a speCial procedure for the abatement and removal of abandoned, wrecked, dismantled
or Inoperative vehicles or parts found to be public nUisances, and (3) to proVide for the
collection of attorney's fees by the prevailing party In nUisance abatement proceedings
under certain circumstances In response to thiS direction. the accompanYing Ordinance
has been prepared The Ordinance would effectuate CounCil's direction and would make
other changes recommended by staff which reflect recent changes In the law
1
Q.".,.' A .~,JA
U 1l'Jt
JUN 1 7 ~~,
DIscussion
Chapter 812, the City'S NUisance Abatement Ordinance, would be amended m several
ways by the proposed Ordinance The proposed Ordinance would strengthen and c1anfy
the City's ability to Impose conditions on property owners Specifically, the Ordinance
provides that the "Order to Abate a Public NUisance" must contain a statement that any
abatement order of the Board may Impose conditions governing the future mamtenance
or operation of the premises upon which a nuisance exists in order to prevent the
recurrence of the nUisance conditions In addition, the Resolution Declaring a Public
NUisance must also set forth the conditions Imposed upon the premises by the Board The
Ordinance also provides that a vIolation of any of the conditions Imposed by the Board
may Itself constitute a public nUisance and will establish a basIs for the suspension or
revocation of any business license Issued for the premises
The procedural rules governing nUisance abatement hearings would be changed by the
proposed Ordinance to reflect developments In state law A recent deCISion of the Court
of Appeals explainS that while an offending property owner In a nUisance abatement
proceeding must receive adequate nolice of the nature of the alleged nUisance and a
meaningful opportunity to be heard, the property owner does not have a nght to a full,
JudiCial-type heanng, including the nght to cross-examine witnesses The proposed
Ordinance would modify the NUisance Abatement Board procedures accordingly
2
The proposed Ordinance adds Section 8 12 220, "Abandoned, Wrecked, Dismantled and
Inoperalive Vehicles" to the Municipal Code This Section sets forth the procedures for
the abatement of vehIcles constituting a publIc nUisance, Including the requirements for
the notice of Intention to abate or remove, the rules for holding a public hearing on the
abatement of the nUisance, the regulations for the removal of vehicles constituting a public
nUisance, and the assessment of the costs of abating the vehicular public nUisance
The proposed ordinance also adds Section 8 12230, "Attorney's Fees" to the MUniCipal
Code This Section provides that attorney's fees may be awarded to the prevailing party
In any action or administrative proceeding to abate a nUisance Inslituted by the City, If the
City elects, at the beginning of each action or proceeding, to seek recovery of Its own
attorney's fees
The proposed ordinance also amends Section 812100, "Service of Order to Abate Public
NUisance," to prOVide that copies of the Order must be mailed to any person who has
made a complaint about the nUisance and who has requested that he or she be notified
of any hearing relating to that nUisance ThiS proposed change reflects a suggestion
made by CounCil In April
Finally, the proposed Ordinance amends the language of various Municipal Code Sections
relating to the City's nUisance abatement procedures to make those Sections clearer and
consistent With the speCifiC amendments noted above.
3
RECOMMENDA TIQN
It IS respectfully recommended that the accompanYing ordinance be Introduced for first
reading
PREPARED BY
Marsha Jones Moutne, City Attorney
Barry Rosenbaum, Deputy City Attorney
Claudia Thompson, Legal Admin Staff Asst
4
f \atty\munl\laws\barry\abate97
City Council Meeting 6-17-97
Santa Monica, California
ORDINANCE NUMBER
(City Council Senes)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA
MONICA AMENDING CHAPTER 812 OF THE SANTA MONICA MUNICIPAL
CODE, GOVERNING NUISANCE ABATEMENT, BY ADDING AND
CLARIFYING REMEDIES, STREAMLINING PROCEDURES, AND
MODIFYING NOTICE REQUIREMENTS
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA DOES HEREBY ORDAIN
AS FOLLOWS
SECTION 1 Santa MOnica Municipal Code Section 8 12 080 IS hereby amended
to read as follows
8.12.D80. Abatement.
An aellen to abate A public nUisance as delined In St'l.linn II 1;" {l' 0
may be abated by Ihe City CGffiffienced In accordance With the provIsions
set forth In this Chapter
SECTION 2 Santa Monica MUnicipal Code Section 8 12 090 IS hereby amended
to read as follows
1
Section 8.12.090. Order to Abate Public Nuisance.
After Inspecting or causing to be Inspected any premises and upon
determining the eXistence of a public nUisance, the Chief of the Fire
Department, the BUilding Officer or a person designated by the NUisance
Abatement Board may Issue an order to abate a publiC nUisance for the
premises upon which the nUisance IS discovered The notice shall contain
(a) The street address, or the approximate street address If no street
address has been assigned, of the property upon which the nUisance eXists
(b) A description of the public nUisance which eXists on the
premises and a statement that the condition on the premises constitutes a
public nUisance
(c)
A st=~CIIi~r'~ ucs:r l: -:J l~l::::' a:..;~n 5 r(:,;.;~s~r.,..:.: a:k.:"..
:....t : r,.. :i::rce
(dHc) A statement that the owner or owner's agenUdeslgnee IS
reqUired to obtain all permits necessary to abate the public nUisance and to
take all actions and/or commence and complete all necessary work by a date
speCified In the Order ThiS date shall be at least 5 days but no more than
30 days from the date of the Order
{e)(d) A statement that the owner, or owner's agenUdeslgnee, must
appear at a hearing conducted by the NUisance Abatement Board, or a
Hearing Examiner, at a time, date, and location speCified In the Order, which
2
shall be at least 5 days but not more than 30 days from the date by which the
nUisance abatement IS required to be completed
(f)(;e1 A statement that the owner or owner's agent/designee, upon
appeanng at the heanng, Will be given the opportunity to present and to elicit
testimony and other eVidence to show cause why the alleged nUisance
should not be abated by the owner or by the City
{gJIft A statement that any Interested member of the public Will be
given the opportunity to present testimony or other eVidence regarding the
alleged public nUisance at the hearing conducted by the NUisance
Abatement Board or Heanng Examiner
{h}fgt A statement that If the owner may voluntarily abates the
nUisance in accordance wJth the Order, the owner shall ami submit written
proof of abatement to the BUilding and Safety DIVISion prior to the hearing
The City Will Inspect the premises, and If the nUisance has been abated, the
abatement proceeding will be discontinued
(if(:O) A statement that If a publiC nUisance IS found by the NUisance
Abatement Board to eXist on the property and the owner falls to abate that
nUisance, the City has the authonty to undertake repairs, demolition, or ether
y,'o,k any other action required to abate the publrc nUisance, or demol,tlOn
as determined by the Nuisance Abatement Board.
(j} A statement that any abatement order of the Nuisance
Abatement Board may impose conditions governing the future maintenance
3
or :ce"at on c.::t....e t="sr':"iISC-: SO;;,,:S:C ~"e.ar~t :"e re;;urrence of the r!""lsa:"":e
:.~". :!."Icns V ~1C'J1ICn cl "..f;~ =:>~ .:: : :.r.s." ay .S:.! I :::'....st tulo a :: 'OJ:II:" r"_ :::':I''.::~
and shall establish a pasis for the SI.Ispens[on Of revoCation of any business
iI .f;,! ::.,l.: .ssu-ao ~or :h~ r l~i.ll~(!S ;,:_:-:s...~J"'~ ..J Sar"'~==::! r.,1:;n =~ r.1..p-I=-I;):l
n_ ._
....\....
Section 6.04 260
(k)tt] A statement that the cost of abatement of the nUisance by the
City may become a hen or special assessment against the premises and a
personal liability of the owner of the premises andfor the person responsible
for creating, causing, committing or maintaining the public nUisance
SECTION 3 Santa MOnica Municipal Code Section 8 12 100 IS hereby amended
to read as follows
Section 8.12.10D. Service of Order to Abate Public Nuisance.
The Order, and any amended or supplemental Order or notice, shall
be served eIther by personal delivery or by certifIed mall, postage prepaid.
return receipt requested and by regular mall to the person listed as the
owner of the premises, based on the last equalized assessment roll or
supplemental roll, or as otherwise known to the Chief of the Fire Department,
the BUilding Officer, or the NUisance Abatement Board A copy of the Order
shall also be mailed to any person who has made a complaint abo!..t tre
nuisance and has requested that he C" s-e oe nct' ec :' a-:i nea" no;
conducted relating to the nUISance. A copy of the Order shall be posted In
4
a conspICUOUS place on the parcel or premises A copy of the Order may
also be mailed to any mortgagees or beneficiaries under any deed of trust
of record, If appropnate, and to any other persons whom the City determines
to be responsible for the public nUisance After completion of service, a
Declaration of Service certifYing the time and manner of service and any
receipt card or acknowledgment of the receipt of such notice by registered
mall shall be filed With the NUisance Abatement Board Except as otherwise
provided by law, neither the failure by the City to comply With any notice
provIsion nor the failure of any owner or other person to receive such notice
shall affect In any manner the validity of any of the proceedings taken
hereunder
SECTION 4 Santa MOnica MUniCipal Code Section 8 12 110 IS hereby amended
to read as follows
8.12.110 Inspection.
At the end of the ttme penod granted for the abatement of a public
nUisance as set forth In the Order tv abate p"biio ;;,,;:>a;;oe, an Inspector
from the City shall Inspect the premIses and make a determination as to
whether :he puc' :: n_lsa~::e has been ace;;,::I as requ.-e:: b, :-.6 C-::fs' ef
ilvt th~ i'oqi..iii~d vvvik :'g~ b6011 cvilip:etgd If the nuisance required yyork has
been abated completed, notice shall be sent In the manner set forth In
Section 8 12 100 to those persons who had previously received the order
5
stating that the iiui:iail~e hg:i t;e;;ii Qt;gt~d aild that the heanng has been
canceled If the nuisance reejUlred ..ark has not been completed
satlsfactonlyabated, a notice Will be sent In the manner set forth in Section
8 12 100 to those persons who had prevIously received the order stating that
the nUisance continues to eXist and that the hearing will be held as
scheduled The Inspection report, If any, Will become part of the record for
the hearing ThiS notice shall be substantially in the follOWing form
NOTICE TO ABATE
PUBLIC NUISANCE
The owner of the property located at , Santa Monica,
Califorma, IS hereby nolifled to appear before the NUisance Abatement
Board or a Hearing Examiner at (date), (time), (location), or as soon
thereafter as may be heard, and show cause, If any, why said (descnbe
nUisance) should not be declared a nUisance and abated In the manner
provided by law If abatement IS undertaken by the City of Santa MOl1lca,
the costs of abatement shall constitute a hen on the property, may be
collected by speCial assessment, or may become the personalliablhty of the
owner and/or person responsible for the publiC nUisance
SECTION 5 Santa Monica Municipal Code SectIOn 8 12 120 IS hereby amended
to read as follows
6
8.12.120 Conduct of hearing.
(a) At the time set for heanng In the order to abate public nUisance,
the NUisance Abatement Board, or designated Heanng Examiner, shall
proceed to hear sworn testimony and receive eVidence regarding the
eXistence of a nUisance The person or persons notified to appear at the
hearing, or his or her Qf their agent(s) or representatlve{$), shall be given an
opportunity to present and to eliCit testimony and any other eVidence about
en whether a public nUisance eXists, and to show cause why the alleged
nUisance conditions should not be abated by the owner or by the City The
Board or Heanng Examiner shall proceed With the hearing whether or not
such person(s) Is(are) In attendance
(b) The person or persons notified to appear at the hearing may also
submit wntten eVidence ThiS eVidence shall be conSidered by the NUisance
Abatement Board, or Heanng Examiner, If it IS received one day prior to the
scheduled hearing The NUisance Abatement Board, or Hearing Examiner.
shall have the dlscrelion to conSIder written eVIdence submItted on the day
of or dunng the course of the hearing
(c) DeCiSions of a Heanng Examiner shall be referred to the NUisance
Abatement Board for adoplion, modification or rejection based solely upon
the record presented to the Heanng Examiner
(d) The NUisance Abatement Board or Hearing Examiner shall be
empowered to compel the attendance of owners or responsible parties or
7
witnesses at the heanng, to examine them under oath, and to compel them
to produce all eVidence before It as provided fer In Section 2 32 060 of this
Code
(e) The heanng proceedings shall be recorded Additionally, any
party may provide a certified shorthand reporter to maintain a record of the
proceedings at the party's own expense
(f) Preparation of a record of the proceedmgs shall be governed by
California Code of CIvil Procedure Secllon 10946
(gl The secretary of the NUisance Abatement Board or the Heanng
Examiner shall administer the oath or affirmation to all individuals prOViding
testimony
(h) The NUIsance Abatement Board or Hearing Examiner may grant
continuances from time to time for good cause shown The NUisance
Abatement Board may also continue the hearing on Its own motion
(I) The lu:~3 Gf 6'iideil~ 3hg:: be thv56 ly:6~ 96ii6iCi::Y app:icCib:e tv
_-1_._._'__~.,._ ______-1._....._ . ._..J__ ~....._ ""_1.&__._ ^...J_._._4................... ""'___.1..___ ^_...
0\,.111111 n~ug~IYv 1'-'1 V\Jvv\,.lIII~;;' UII........I LII.... VCllllVlllICl nUIIIIIII;;:lILIf;U.1V'IiJ I I COlI\JI.I....'V;;:! f"'\l..tL
The hearing need not be conducted according to technical rules relaling to
eviuence and witnesses except as provided in this Section, Any relevant
e.ICS1.:e s....a.'::;e sd.....I!:e~ Ii It 5 ~"'e SC;1 cf 3'\ ,:::e-::e:,n ...h c..., resJ:c:i.EIO e
persons are accustomed to rely in the conduct of seriolJs affairs, regardless
c. ~he ex ~:er::e ~-; a:-.1 \X:'TI'~r. a.'. cr st31...t:;ry "'u's ...h ch rrll;;"': --a~e
IIllp/tlp(:I 1111' ~[jo-:I~Slt>n of InC" t'vldml:':C? (W~I o!:Je[;IIOIlS III rlvI' d:;:'LJnS
8
hea"sa: e",::snce ......a! t'e ,Jsed 4'0:- ~ne c\.o....~ose 0': su::>p eme-t '1a C"
UXplull1lllg ottll.lr f!Vldem.:e but shall not be s!..Illlclcnl In IISt,1f to suppnrl u
t F",a 1:'; u..-I-;,;ss I' ..le_l:; L.,(,: i:!..J.1I SS t:; e :.:.e" .;:. ....:1 v~. 'II -:;-1.11 i;.:~ 1~:r.S :,)"" rlI..
.:::: ..,!'i.:1ICn '....el:; ....acE; to It~.S .J::C :.;~ ~1r-arSdl '3'. ::cr:.u pr.or tv I",~ : ,,;s~ o~ l"I"'!
hearing before the NUIsance Abat$'fleilt Boarct
SECTION 6 Santa MOnica Municipal Code Secllon 8 12 130 IS hereby amended
to read as follows
Section 8.12.130. Resolution Declaring a Public Nuisance.
(a) Upon the conclUSion of a t~~ heanng before the NUisance
Abatement Board or after taking action on a Hearing Officer's deCISion
referred to the NUisance Abatement Board, the NUisance Abatement Board
may. by resolution, declare the eXistence of a nUisance ThiS resolution
shall dIrect the owner, and/or the person responsIble for creating, causing,
committing or maintaining the publiC nUisance, to abate the same wlthll1 not
less than 10 days and not more than 30 days after the date of posting of a
Notice of Resolution Declanng a Public NUisance on the premises pursuant
to Section 812 140 The Resolution shall also set fortI' any con:Jltlons
Imposed upon the premises by the Nuisance Abatement Board govermng the
'ut.Jre maintenance or operation of the prem,ses so as to prevent the
recurrence of the nUi$ance conditions
9
(b) The NUisance Abatement Board shall direct the City Attorney to
draft the Resolution, which the Chairperson of the NUisance Abatement
Board shall sign or cause to be signed The Notice of Resolution Declaring
a Public NUisance shall state that If the nUisance IS not abated Within the
stated time penod, the NUisance Abatement Board shall cause the nUisance
to be abated and the costs of abatement to be made a lien or speCial
assessment against the lot or parcel of land upon which said nUisance IS
located, and to be the personal liability of the owner and/or the person
responsible for creating, causing, committing, or maintaining the public
nUisance The Notice shall Inform the owner the time penod In which to seek
JudiCial review The deCISion shall be final when Signed by the Chairperson
and shall not be appealable to the City Councilor to any other City body or
official
SECTION 7 Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 812180 IS hereby amended
to read as follows
8.12.180. Summary abatement of graffiti.
(a) The City CounCil finds that proliferation of graffiti, especially,
gang-related graffIti, presents an Immment danger to the publiC safety and
welfare Law enforcement officials and other experts agree that Immediate
removal of gang-related graffiti IS necessary to reduce the nsk of Violent and
other cnmlnal actiVities assOCiated With gangs and gang terntorles The
10
presence of graffiti which IS not abated Immediately encourages the creation
of additional graffiti, resulting In neighborhood blight and Increased costs of
abatement
(b) The Director of EnVironmental and Public Works Management IS
hereby authOrized to summarily abate graffiti The abatement may be
undertaken by City staff or by outSide contractors
(c) The Director of EnVIronmental and Public Works Management
shall prOVide the owner of the property subject to abatement action under
this Section With written notice specifying the date that the City Will abate the
graffiti ThiS notice shall be mailed to the owner by certified mall, return
receipt requested, at least five days pnor to the scheduled City abatement
It shall Inform the owner that the City Will not undertake the abatement If the
owner notifies the City In writing that the owner Will abate the graffiti by a
date speCifiC acceptable to the City The ::::5: of ar.sterre~t ::e"cnrec '::, :-e
City shall be recovered In accordance With Section 812 190 except thE'
accounting requirements of Section 8, 12. 190(b} may be undertaken by the
Director of ErlVironmental and PUblic Works Management
SECTION 8 SectJon 8 12220 IS hereby added to the Santa MOnica MUniCipal
Code to read as follows
11
8.12,220, Abandoned, Wrecked. Oi$mantled and Inoperative
Vehicles.
A. Abandonment. No person shall abandorra vehicle upc'" :),I:;.Ii~'
:>" 0" .ale or~pe-:~ WII'1:>u: :re eXi='ess C' m;::lied cO:1senl of :he c\'.-er C"
i-..c"s.:.n H' !::...., ':..1 [':1~S:,jSSldn i:~r c:.rrro .:J' -top p"cc\=lr~\"
B. Procedures fOr Abatement of Vehicles'ConstitutinlJ a Public
NUIsance
The :r;:;:e:_res sel -:':h n :"1 s Se:!,:n a-e h=~=c..
6s.~ab s....sd Sj e.1 fc'" ~h= a.::.a:eme"'~ a-d rs......::...a o~ a=::a....:Jc,..sc .I."e::~~j
~: S:--:J -:k:d .~.. """;::oi:..":::l .~ ...~~..I:: es :u ;:'i:rt...: t....er-::~~)f (hcrelniJft~?1 I vehicle.,."
"vehlde(s)," or "vehicles: as :ll.~:,: -:_lsa'1:es "ell' :" ',:1 e (.' ~_:, '.
pr:Jpl:!lly and for tho recovmy of or assumption by the City of the costs :)'
:Jdllllrlls:lallon (lrld rornov,11 or lhose ve~uc~cs 'hcsf' pro:;c>rJLHOS 'JIt~
enacted under the authOrity granted bylhe State of California pursuant to
Vehicle Code Section 22660
(2) It is the mtent of the City Council to provide that the
..t;...il:!ITI!1Il: III public' lH..m;,'lrl,'US (''(lrl<;lslln~l 01 veh:dos ITlJY IJ<! l (lll :mJ 011
either concurrently with or separately from the abatement of other conditions,
; a- ,;' ~.:::...s~ :....:I'."g: a ;:;....t .: rL.,san~ on a....1 ~re- ses ,,'t,:~I'" :he C~! a~
llOf.lllWd tlPlJroprlato UlldlH t11f.l cllculrIsl,lIIces fillS see.lltlr] !>twll bc'
~.:.~ - ... :i[';::P:C1 ~,.. rs.:u~' :' ~:., ~r e:o fl",II.:I.".(! C~) ,.:q: t~/C.~S 'J).C;J;~ .1"10:-
removal of vehicles shall be by any duly authorized person.
12
C. I\.ct c~ <.;1 I' .....P. ;" 1 .~, i\:..a,e yl R6'r.c:e
(1) ..\f:(:- 1"'~~e:l,r:l c:- t.:J1 ~I.'e= -;J to? ns~)!~:.tf:'to;: a-.
premises. .;'1 .PC.l ~:~'(!r" I".:"~ t"e ex 5';--:5 tl! '1 ;>l..bl C "II S':..'C~' ;)~ 'h...
::"(~r".lsa5 ::0. ,SI5tl"'9 of ,,~.~ l...es, rno NUI::5i.1nc~ AbaL6....en~ l:3oo"d C" DlrE:~(..
O. L ~,.rc..n': en:31 & P~bl.: \.;;;r~s Mana~e -ent ma,. ISS...~ :; 'ell \. C c:';,
Nc: ce of In:e-t C'll:) Aba;e ar::l Re::':)'Ie t:--: Vehl: e:sJ I 1 :i-:a'i Not:ce
7-9 1 :'_C~J N-,o.co Sf.':: CO? I~~~_VJ 10 bel.: r~"v C.:.r1gr c'["-e r."~i' :i':-S upon
which ItlO v€'tllC:lc IS located, to the owner of the vehicl$, and 10 any person
:.....c ....ss m;je a ':~i;,a -t a:::....: ~"e "i... san:e 6'id ~as "e:.:.es:e~ that '-;; ~...
she be notri'ied of any action taken with respect to the nuisance A 10-day
notjce need not be issued If the property owner and the owner of 1I1e vehicle
have signed releases authorizing removal and waiving further interest in 1I1e
vehicle.
(2) 1 ho 1 O-d~y Notice ~hall ccmtalll tr ,f! tu1lC1WIIll)
Information:
(a) T~e s;'e6~ acc-;!;,s anc ~ri ct-,e- C~5::' ::t.:n
".a~t. "ec:~ c~r:.j :he ::"6- ses ....::.0... :.h:.... :he .eh.CISIS. IS I:;=a~e::
(b) T~;! :cn::1' :f :-e .'S~ ;;,e'sl :::l De ~;)a:ec:
(e) ,.. s':!I;IT,~m~ th.:llt.i: CI:yl".ClS 1..ul1l.':" ,~ .-t. I';" ,..
or parts Ihereofto be a public nuisance as defined 1n tihis COde.
13
I ~. A asscn::'~lon In s-....:.i1:1e.-.t dstalll .....h C'i n"~rl"'1s ~hs
owner o~ :.,e t:"'eIT1ses snd ~he o\."ner of t:'-e. .6'1.cle o~ :ne c~n:: ~I::"'S y"n C~
constitute the public 'nuisance.
(e) A s~;;;~,;mem of lr>e ;::/':;n oeq.; rC::1 ::1 Ot: :al-a:; ..1>
GftC"mlnC': 1;, t'iO Clly o;l1rj 1t,;:J1 5l..ch <lc:lcn 5 to be cc"TI;!'()d ... '- n ll.-
U. \::J15 ;;1:e" [.,,,, r:'al:I'i,; cf TO r.c:.;;~
(f) A sla~..:''''en. I.-al ,."-d \,;.-.nef ~: t..~.:a p.C.Ii.S=~;i c;,ou:
the owner of the vehicle{s) have the right to request a heanng before the
Nuisance Abatement Board.
Cgl A s~a:ement on the copy of the nctlce sent to the
O.-:,ne'" 0" t....e CT:?m..s-es
As to any vehlcle(s) listed herein. you may file with the
Nuisance Abatement Board a sworn written statement denying
rI'),lpunslblll/Y for /h~) prosemoC' on your pi oJJE'rly 0/ the
vehlCle(s) Iistec :;j;jetrar ,':It-: ~;jur reasors for s~::h can al
Th s s:a~e;"""e-~ shall ::ie :ct"'s~r ....2C as 3 "e~...;est =0'" a near r~
[1, J:J ..';,. !:~!) ~="J . .;ej ..::~ a.I'""''':: /.J "he ..('.1. ....~J it, I
statement will be considere::l c} t~e Nuisance Abatement
Board In determining ,',-';::-30 ~-e :::lst :;' re"T"::.I'i;; 531:::
ve111cle(s} will be assessed against your property as a lien in
14
t..c Eh~:'t .ha~ rerllc..J. c: 'r.s '/eh cl.='~.' I': L.n::!ertao<r..' tv ~...~
City.
You noed nol fllll a sworn slatemenllf YlJll Inlend 10 aU end Iho
'1".J-1"~ l:;u: yC.,1 r-::J, :::> so If yc,. W.5'" The SVrcr~ s:,,:ems"~
will be com..dc~lod only Cl!. to vel1l(:(l(S) and will Ilot be
:.::r":ih,::S':=J CiS I: ~he ;X.I~~~nce cf a.1;' ~"'lr.Q;" concll en or: ..,Ju.
property which rnay bei found 10 con!\lllula a rnm;al1ce In 11115 r;r
arj o~"'e" or:i:es~ n;
(h) A s:.s:sme"; ~ha: fcLre e :t-s' to :a~6 !"e 3ct.:n
"~qu pce l~ ata:e the nL. sc;":e or tJ reCl.es~ a ,ear,;""g "\1:"'1'" :"'e ~e'" .. G I c:::}
period shall be deemed i:I .\::i .C':;' Sl.cn I.J:'"ts .;":: :.~~ Nuisance Abatement
B::a"c 1131 p'oceed ;0 .state the nuisance.
(3) T"".;" J:I, N:::I:e s"'! te "1;.11 C': ;)., 'C:: S:,,'C'::: :.
certified mail, to the owner of the premises as shown On the last equalized
~~b"'~" ,;on: r:.l: (," ~_.~;;I'=I"::; 1::1 r'j a~::l;;) I.':: :.!>: r.:g ;:'''.r ..).l ::.n::: ':'::;J
owners of record unless the vehicle IS In such a condition that Ide~tlflca~lon
numbers are not available to determine ownership.
(4) ;;. ~-::la,. NC:I:e IS ~:;: 'e::t. "ee <:;r ;-e 'err-G, e ::! a
.::' .... (~ I. c:!~ :. 1"-:":.::1 :.J; C :J...a ~= ~tle a=~el1t".] c..f a :- :;~:r tra .:').,',;;5 {... e
....tlt elli ;lrId 1I1cnprlb/u of t...e''1ylmvcd, IS v(ll\lcd allmls than I wo I hJl10wd
15
Dr; ,:l' S I S:.:t..J, t:i a p;,;'scn sp~cifi9d In Vetil: c Gc::e Seet,c" 22355 an:: IS
:::e:CT';ir'<l::l by t"e (;11)" t:; oe cl :::~b <; "U sar:e presE:-Tg an WIt (''-ll,.:"
1p:e:.I~:; PLt Ie t.;:iil.... -::.' s:~i.::l~ ::'J'J.!dr:d lh:.t ..~=" :,"o=,er1~ c",".."onr hCl5 51:) ':j
.:l release a.Jt~:.IrlZI'lg rC~~1 oval and \/,a -11'1" :..rtrcr In:ero!>: ,r' It'a ...or ::.i:'
I'r ~.r t:;) ""na. d spos.t.o" JrlCU Ve'1ICle Coce 5ec!l::n 221.:62 cr a .C....-.a:~::,;
w'.. _ ~ h:r ....~ :~'l t:. ~~""r:t. :.: '~:;;I~.";]: :~... "'as : .~'::.'. :';.:cO'ltl.!d :..., ell.. ~IH..
::':-.:.. as ....~:.:.s tc t-'e "eg s:srec and 6;51' :......e..s ~= Its .nt5....~:c d 5~CSS c=
m~ .e- :.e .n:: that ~ t:-:e vehicle is not claimed and removeCl,'. t .. 1-; '::_,-
after :~.S "';:;: :e IS mailed, from a location specified in Vehicle Code Section
2~C'.,;2 1111&1:: ':;;:05' JP cf t-c .;h.cli! n,a! t':,JI:~~d Tt"e C ~\' C" :It.. 5'
!"c ,"::1.-:tt:" ~t.~i-:-.' t:~ ':..:"'C f~rd~I"':j:i"~J'I~....;j~j':' ,,';"I:S::', liS"': ..J.:.
=_-s.J::ir-t:::;:~ s S~:J5eC:IC': F~r:-e'm:::re:'"i s s_cse:::;),,;.C .~. c:J:P es :;_.1,
:..: 11~;p':'r<l:": "ff"' :;...~ I:::.:;;,s-::! upon a parcel 111::1115 (1) zoned for agrll.ullllr<ll
::J.: :.12' n.;1 ....:). .....:.::: .". 'h;J ...: :i ~:~ntl(; :ir"l..ct_"e C~lP~~ .T'~:.l C"'Jo =l: :.. ::...;,.
dwelling units,
D. Public Hearina on Nuisance Abatement
(1) Tne owner of the ver c:s :r :I"',e owner of the premises
upon which the vehicle is located may request that a hearing be held before
u-'c t-..... ~.;:r..~ Aou elT1~n~ Be;!'":: T" ~ requ;st.; a ....~~~...:: 'L.:~.:;.:- ..co;; t 1(_
before the 10 day period stated In the Notice expires.
(2) WhlOn~vt!l 111" owner of 1I1e p:CllllSElS 011 willet, ttm
vehicles(s) is located or the owner of the ,'.;n cle- s! 'e:;ues:s a ~ea- -;!
16
h::rr. naltc" cal.e;:: r6\;~"S: ng :::::;r:/ '. Ihe Nuisance Acateme~- O::ard shall
I..~..e at;,,::' .-;; ~ctl:e::J t";C "l''=.,est ~J lle:rtl allo".,r.g :"r,,: ~';]':, t.. ap~-(!a-
['~.t;:@ .....r. t\J c::a....::e I\~;:.I::.~ ';""~ Beare O. ~QsIJn:-;tec ~~~:~. rJ o.ll.~r .:
&"':;11 c~wse .."."":)" :.,c "e~1 C.e'l:-', ~ ....O[ a ~JolI.:.. 11_lsanco a"'d .::hCJld rj~ ~o
:11-:3 ,l(l by -'1': C Iy Tt'e' ",.1' a I'j'lce sh::lI be served L."cr t- C n:;qUJs' n~
::3":, e ;~"r r:er5::ra 1 :lr ::;~ ..,5111-g a:::::::, ::' t~" n:;lce b/ ::e-:lf."a ~a
posta~.. :m..j:::I: flii :1"1; r ...;elpt requested not less than five (5) calendar
::-.,~ ;JI C' :0 "~.l h-:::;' ~:J date.
(3) nle procod~Jre sj:;e:: 'Ii",j ,- 50::.;1 ':n 512 12J c' :~ s
C. .,.Im ~":JI :...~ ~l .zc.j 11 :.::' ell:.l~;; 01 r',l.,.,rlg r( :;.ll!~I":: I;, :he. c..... ;,. ~.
tllC prellllsdS 1m Wlllch tile vetllclo IS located (:r by the O'Nnar (If ttltl VelllL.ll'
(4) I' at t~e hear ~g It s ce:e"m '"led !-a: t'le ,snicle was
placed 00 the r:;"e~ISe5 ,",:~O~: :~e ::o~se~t c':he :.'.ner -::' :~e ::'e"- ses 9~:
:h:.: .,) ::' ='" ";.=- 11( I =_l;~r-:.u;,r':I, a:r:..I,::c:J Ie II; /="(J;:...,:( i"(
NUisance Abatement Board shall not assess the costs of administration or
removat of the vehicle{s) against the proper:; u:::.n .~-::- ;-e .e:-,:e ;;
located or otherwise attempt to collect these costs from the owner of the
premises.
E. .8.~~!.'_a: c,s Ril::lS";;Lng Re,,:,,:,al c' Veri:: e C.Q~5"1_:I::-:j a
Public Nuisanoo.
(1) Vel": ss Ira:, I::a a sp:>se::::' ':>, rex-co;; ::: a s.::rapyard,
automobile dismantler's yard, or any suitable site operated by a local agency
17
for processing as scrap, or olher final dlsposllion consistent with subscct'on
I:: \31 l:;e"::'o'I TtlCl C :)' ":'1'::, c:::cra!e sueI' a disposal s Ie .\"~9.' :he C :..
Cc_....::.1 je:e.........I....es ~rat :C-;'Tei":la. channels of c spes t 0.... ;:Ji~ nr-I ,:id ~'C p
")r ::'IA n:::::C"ll..c.tt.o a....o 1T1;J.. rna~c i na: dHipO.;.tlc" O. s....~r= '.C":IC e::: or :....oJ
Nuisance Abatement 6Oar.: rna, ,r:l-s-"r lh~ '.erlcie :0 ,r(,.I"or provided
SL.c.'1 :Isj::csa' shall be only as scrap. Any monies thatthe City receives for
~ne clspc-sa O. ~-e ..eh c19 sha b-a _see :0 :i"fs~~ ~he c~s:s c! 3=S~~'T1S""::
(2) The NUisance Aba:emel1t Board shall notify the
Department of Motor Vehicles Within five (5) days of the date of removal
leJ.mlliy'ng II';.! v.,tlll:i(~(s) and sUbnlllling (lny eVldellc(' of IClglsm.llolI
~. ~ ~b e .. :. l.;IJI....~ r....:.:)- 'II :ll~~ ~~, t"s- r(';15.ra.I~.r ~J""j :',"1 '1':~:1~5 ~
ownership or license plates.
(3) After a vehicle has been removed, It shall be un la",tf..J I
to reconstruct or make the vohlclo oper:lblc llnless ttlC vehicle quol:fles for
either horseless carriage license j:: ates or ... s:::' ::,,! ....e~l: e h::erse j:: ,,!;:S
pursuant to Vehicle Cods Section 5004,
(4) No City employee, other than a peace officer or
employee of asherlff's department or a city police department designa1ed to
remove vehlc:es pursuant to Vehicle Code Sect;on 22669 May rerr.ove
vehicles until that employee has mallec C' ~el s::-a :/ c:e .ereo a written
'. ~,:.; L I;:!r,- II,,'"] !',! ,~h ::.a :;:1:: Il~ 10C,JI.;;" 10 !:"9 S,lrl:; ~.'::"'ICJ r.::h::_
Department.
18
{5} L.=e""':soc d s'ilant'ers 0;" ::;....rnnn: al er..~rp'" ses
'.:;::..1' ng \1!"I:: U~ 'mnc.e:: p_';;_.a~t ~::lI"I,; Se:::I::ln !i1l!::1: ::Ie eX::l.!,..,j "C'"
the reporting requirements of Vehicle Code Section 11520 and shall not pay
==-1 r~es ::.a:: r:?n:ul es .\h;...p .\cul:: o~rerv" :-: oe dL.e lroe [)Ire::c"':= r.1~tc"
'1,:-:,..: ~S, ~rc';lce:r hQ~I,e"ar : 'at a CCPI cf ..'0 rescL-.:);"1 0' ~r j~?'
authorizing disposition of the -'(!"I: e'5 rC:1 ':!(l ~ :h= b:.o; "f,~S 'ee') :.J~ =.
the dismantler or commercial enterprise
F l,XC:I~I}\I.c>rl~. to Ifllo; Sl,c:tlQIl I tll!> Sectloll loti:!" nol ;lpply W .1
.;;- c..; :h:;: s :~"'Vl::l;~~:~. .;....:i::s€::: ."., ~r. r a 0__..:: ng n a ';..I.i.J m!.""i-~"
I.:'--'~ : l" ';1 ~ :0 :)1.1 from the street or other public or private oroper:y or to
a .:s-Icle :hat ,5 s::;"e::: or ~a"a(e:: In a la,".1u n.ai""rlsr 0- :..... ,a'e J:.....~l~:\..ll.~ I .
'_: ."'~..:: G" ..I.:'" ~he Ou:::.I'".E-:-!' G. =:. :<?'-se.:J lj :;rl~c.:"': e" .~:o"~ec ..~:.." ~L
thuler or ILII1:"Yi:lfd rrlls exception ~h()1I nut al.l'10nZe the III..ilnt~IIQnCO ot
a::...::; c cr::r .=:~ n...ls::....:-3 as ::e': "'.e:J U"icer :r:-.. SI::rs ~.: Ie:. :-:"'e" :nc;"-I
this Section_
G, Costs of Abatina Abandoned. Wrecked. Dismantled or
Inccs;,,~:.e V::'" c:as t\c:r"..::-s:ancll:i~ anJ ct"'sr O"C... S.~- :.; :I'"'.S Cc::e ~""';e
cost of abating any nUisance creJOi:sj t;, JOi . ,,":: e, including the actual low
costs, ar.:: a- ,,::-11 s:~a:l.e fee cc.sr n;j :: re::: ar.a "::1'<;::: ::".e"head, to be
set by Resolution of the C,ty Council IS the JOint and several personal
obligation of the owner of the premises arid the last registered owner of the
.~.... ;: e s: I-.:,,\s.e-r a.... C..oII.~=.. c= t....e prer.- ses :.:-0 es:a: S....;5 a::-< c~
19
responsibility for the presence ofthe ..::h.::le,;;' 0,' the :::rC",ISE>S as pe"1 :1.,,:
by subsect'on D(4). shall not De personally liable for the costs In addition
~I'IC'" 1;=:;- r~~:; ::-t~r~c :lllln~' c: t"'e ,,(-~h ("IE:"-=' !.r ".' "~'.. s..:!!!::':. .....~ "QI'l... rcrnr:.':.n'~
:>1 V(!h.;;I~ Cca<::. Sc::c: cn ,,~~r.';:C ,;:,a 11'011.;", ;:~r5;l"ally 11.,=1.: t:lr :"e C!lS:"
-:/ ,,:OJ!tl' ~n: n'2 :~sl cf ;:i::d:SII".6iil ::i"lc ",;d C~. !"t' Clly ~I~<J" u':
r=,~c .C"C.J I'" ::c:::.rCi..n_." ..\ ~I' S.::= c.... B 1L 19~ C)(CE-J,:: :" C Cic:::_n~ n~:
requirements of Section 8.12.190(::J' may De L.r.dsrta__en bJ t-e DI-ec,c':l~
Environmental and Public WorkS Management.
SECTION 9 Seclion 812230 IS hereby added to the Santa MOnica Municipal
Code to read as follows
8.12.230. Attorney's Fees.
A::::rr'i:J s fees s....a C~ ~^,ar:1ea \0 t--e :-re'.alh1g ~ar:) .... ar, set::n
or administrative proceeding to abate a nUisance instituted by the City If the
C.1 ::;(..!::: :.i~. l!:" :~;. .:.r..... '-.~ c" ~~:""' I-C... ~l.~ ;.:cl C'" :.r r..' (~: ~~:: ..~ ..~ ")l :..~
recovery of lis OWn attorney's fees. Ifthe"City does nOI elect to reCOVer jts
a:::r"ne) s r:::!'5 -.J J,J~r~.. :;" :1 ~€, ~r.'lt D:: tc. ~-::;::k ~o r~::;'.:er 5':;'~ fatJ:s In nc
act C.... =r Gi=m ""s:....;: ..; ;:"'==s.s-=.r.g s"":a. c:r. s:.a"'j 0= .;t.:.......e~.5 '::?es tc a
prevaHlng party exceed the amount of reasonable attorneys' fees incurred
by the City in the action or proceeding,
20
SECTION 10 Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 7.48 090(8) IS hereby deleted
In Its entirety
SECTION 11 Any provISion of the Santa Monica Municipal Code or appendices
thereto InconSistent with the provIsions of thiS Ordinance, to the extent of such
InconSistencies and no further, IS hereby repealed or modified to that extent necessary to
effect the provIsions of thiS Ordinance
SECTION 12 If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of thiS
Ordinance IS for any reason held to be Invalid or unconstitutional by a deCISion of any court
of competent JUrisdiction, such decIsion shall not affect the validity of the remaining
portions of thiS Ordinance The City CounCil hereby declares that It would have passed
thiS Ordinance and each and every section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase not
declared Invalid or unconstitutional without regard to whether any portion of the ordinance
would be subsequently declared Invalid or unconstitutional
21
SECTION 13 The Mayor shall sign and the City Clerk shall attest to the passage
of thiS Ordinance The City Clerk shall cause the same to be published once In the offiCial
newspaper Within 15 days after Its adoption ThiS Ordinance shall become effective 30
days from ItS adoplion
APPROVED AS TO FORM
A0L,f-~:iwL)~~
MARSHA JONES MOUTRIE
City Attorney
22