More horror stories of bad experiences with building code officials.
“He [Brian Black, the new director of Riverside County Code Enforcement (RCCE)] said that they would look into the issue and remove abusive personnel. Don Williams took him up on that notion believing that he would help him. They met in Black’s office this June to discuss Don’s case and to see what could be done to get his home building project (over 7 years in the process) on the right track to compliance in the county’s eyes. As per Don, Mr. Black asked him to allow his inspector onto the property to see what was needed to accomplish the goal of compliance. Don agreed and allowed two RCCE officers to inspect his nearly finished home. Don said they walked around and took a lot of pictures. “The officers said that I would have to tear it down to the studs and start over so it could be properly inspected,” said Don. According to Don, the officers then went off the property to the dirt road and conversed among themselves. He said when they came back they condemned and tagged the structure with a “DANGER: Do Not Enter or Occupy” sign, and had the electric company pull the electric service meter completely from the property. At the time, Don was not provided verbal or any written reasons for the radical decisions made. As Don tells it he still has not received notification clarifying the matter.
In a letter written to Mary Bono Mack, Robyn Garrison shares her own account of abuse at the hands of RCCE personnel. “I personally built with Lenton Garrison the Dairy Queen in 2002 and at the time of completion of the project had requested our occupancy. I was told by the County that they had put into place a new fee and that in order for me to open I would have to pay the $18,000 additional monies. When I argued that we were in construction prior to this ordinance they merely said ‘pay it or we won’t let you open.’ To me it is a clear case of extortion. Being one person I felt I had no recourse at the time and borrowed the funds from a family member in order to open my doors. Hiring an attorney would have been a cost I could not endure, as I believe the County recognizes with most people. Therefore they use tactics of force and power to push individuals around under the color of law.”
It was the combined frustration of so many stories of improper handling of citizens by the RCCE that prompted Anza area citizens, Don Williams, Robyn Garrison, and Mike Machado to work together to plan Sunday’s Town Hall Meeting. “The meeting was a great success. It is estimated that between 360 and 500 people attended. There were also people from as far away as Diamond Bar, Los Angeles, and even Victorville,” said Machado. Together they hoped to educate the public on what can be done when citizens are approached and or cited by the RCCE.
According to Mike Machado, “About 150 signed up to sue the county, or help with a lawsuit. So far we have about 30 cases that might have merit. I am preparing documents to present to the County board of supervisors, State Senator Kevin Jeffries, and Mary Bono Mack. As noted nearly 2.5% of the entire residential base of Anza and its territory have code violations. County wide there are over 6,000 cases with fees and or fines totaling 2.1 million dollars. Some of the more serious allegations are ex-post-facto, and violations of the Hobbs act, extortion and racketeering. Selective enforcement in violation of the 14th Amendment. Violations of due process, filing liens on people’s property without due process.”
Read more at the source: Anza citizens unite against Code Enforcement tyranny
Code enforcement abuse in San Bernardino, CA
“I’ve been a contractor for 38 years and always wanted to build my wife and myself a dream house, our children are all grown. We have scrimped and saved all our adult lives to accomplish this dream. We sold our old house about 7 years ago and decided to build a house the way that we wanted it, a lifetime dream coming true, we were so excited about being able to do this. Finding just the right property to spend the rest of our lives together on.
Code enforcement came by and wrote our building up as junk and trash. I went to see my supervisor from the County of San Bernardino (Paul Biane) and was told that I wouldn’t be able to talk to him as it was none of the county supervisors business to deal with code enforcement. During the 6 mo extension, the economy went into a recession. I went back to planning and tried to get another 6 mo’s extension and was told that I wasn’t able to get one. I was told that I would have to buy another permit for $1,875.00 and go through the process all over if I wanted to put our building up. Shortly after that, I received a Citation to pay a fine ($400.00) for Junk and trash(our building). I didn’t get to talk to a judge, have a hearing, or have due process. I thought that my Constitution guarantees me of this. A month later my fine is ($600.00). Doesn’t this sound like extortion? I live in the country. I only have (1) neighbor that’s close to me, over a 1,000 ft away.
Even people that live in Mexico retain more individual rights than we have. Had enough of their B.S.? contact me at: faceoffmovement@yahoo.com
This is nationwide wide movement since I first wrote this, We now have coordinators all over this great nation of ours. Type in your state followed by faceoffmovement.com i.e. (californiafaceoffmovement.com)
Visit these sites also:
PROPRIGHTS.org/smart growth
STRAIGHTTALKNEWS.org/real stories
RIPOFFREPORT.com/code enforcement
I had building inspector and 2 people from water company and 2 officers come to my place and serve me a fake red tag notice. I was told by officer if I wasn’t out by the time I was told he would remove me with physical force.
This is exactly why all institutions of governance from top to bottom must be heavily and harshly limited in the power they possess over the citizenry. When such institutions accumulate too much power. They will always abuse that power in the name of serving itself.
Every single branch upon the tree of American governance has long been rotten to the very core.
It’s only going worsen. Society has already submitted to far too much abuse and extortion.
America has become the land of bureaucratic shit, laws of ignorances, pimp taxes hypocrisy, and extortive governance. The longer people do nothing, the harder it becomes to do something when all goes too far.
I’ve been given a fake abatement,by the code enforcement in Pasco Washington. The landlord is illegally evicting me and code enforcement is helping him. If I was abated doesn’t the landlord have to put me up until the problem is fixed and if it was real why hasn’t the landlord fixed anything yet? Isn’t there time limits? They code enforcement only gave me hours to get out. Why is the landlord taking the paper off and copying it? Then code enforcement gave me a permit for a yard sale and then came out on a Saturday and told us to shut it down or we’re getting fined and their gonna call the cops on us? Then threatened my neighbor about her house and conveniently the officer has a foreigner friend that buys house’s and flip’s them for double and more!!! And suspicious fire’s on house’s that they threatened with $10,000 fines and poof they leave for the holiday come home and first one fire,then next day another fire that took the whole house. Hmmm, sounds suspicious to me! My landlord turned off my electric and then he tapes this fake abatement that code enforcement gave him to my apartment stating there needs to be electric and he has work to do but, he hasn’t even attempted to do anything and it’s been 11 day’s now and nothing. I have to walk the streets all night with my dog’s because we can’t stay at our place because of the fake abatement and my landlord shutting my electric off and fixing it were I can’t get it back on and there helping him! Just like when L&I was gonna do a inspection, someone tipped him off and he jumped on a plane and went to Mexico! So they couldn’t inspect this roach ridden place! They’ve caught him stealing my electric a few times and he’s never been brought up on it but, they brought him in court for now get this, for not painting a peice of the building and not even that big of a part of it!!! So now their helping him illegally evict me! I thought he was supposed to put me up while it’s abated and he’s supposed to be fixing it but,it doesn’t specifically state what’s to be fixed!!HMMM
I have a similar situation is Seattle. After 16 years of complying with the building department’s order to stabilize our steep slope, and completing the project in substantial compliance with the approved permitted plans, as finaled by the city’s Special Inspector – a Geotech firm, the city of Seattle sued me for arranging several rocks to control erosion as “not shown on the plan,” and are seeking over $800,000 in fines. I had offered to move the rocks, but the city said “don’t move them” it will destabilize the slope. Go figure???
I live in West Liberty, IA, my neighbor worked the city office and used her position to send the code enforcer after us. Filing 13 false citations, the attorney admitted they weren’t true but charged us with 4 of them anyway. We have been fighting this for 3 years, they have abused there power but no one will help us. Now they want about $800,000 for lies.
Once you secured the geotechnical engineer, the city should not be hindering and contradicting the engineer of record.
Those fines can be challenged in court.
Hang in there!
Unfortunately this is an all to familiar story. Some quick background.
I have been an inspector since 1986. I graduated from Butte Collage with a degree in Building Inspection Technology. I was originally certified as from I.B.C.O as a Building Inspector, Electrical Inspector, I.A.P.M.O. as a Mechanical and Plumbing Inspector.(before the International Building Code was implemented) I have worked for multiple jurisdictions. That being said. I now help people with there Code Enforcement/Building Department/ Planning Department/ problems as a code consultant. I have seen peoples constitutional rights trampled on. Due process, unequal protection under the law, poor decision making by government officials, incompetence, unbridled discretion. Unclear rules and procedures for appealing administrative decisions in front of an impartial review board.(Joke)I could go on. But instead let me say there is things you can do to fight back and protect your rights and the rights of other American citizens. Because every one who doesn’t stand up is allowing these unconstitutional actions by local government officials to continue. If you believe that your local departments criminal actions rise to the level of racketeering or constitutional rights violations, then contact the Department of Justice in your state. they will direct you to the FBI office in your area that investigates these types of complaints. Its important to know your rights and be able to assert them. Short of that, you have no rights.
The government is immune to certain actions against them, but they are not immune from prosecution and civil actions involving violating your rights under the color of law, or intentional torts. I have so much more to say. I’m trying to help as many as I can. I have been successful many more times than I have failed. If you do fail, get up dust yourself off and go at them again.
thank you looks like i have this problem , because this inspectors giving me fines that makes nonsense
Reading your post it sounds like you act as an expert witness in litigation. How do I contact you?
Hi Steven,
Yes I have been an expert witness. Most recently I gave expert testimony at the Ventura County Property Tax Appeals Board rising from latent construction defects discovered years later. Hidden Construction defects can effect the value of a property once discovered. We argued that the property taxes had been calculated to high based upon the hidden defects. The Board agreed and we were able to get the board to look at previous years for the purpose of a tax refund including years that were not included in the current appeal, if we filed a new appeal to cover the years not included in the current appeal. You can contact me at robertbrown123456789ten@yahoo.com or twobrightday@outlook.com
My cell phone #(805)707-3538 Let me know if I can answer any questions you might have or help out with your situation. Thanks Sincerely, Robert
Robert,
I will contact you via email but wanted to post this. Sacramento County Building Permits and Inspections along with Code enforcement have been using tactics to generate funds for their own departments for a while now. I’m in the middle of a 3 year battle with them and they keep demanding access to my home property to inspect a 63 year old outbuilding to look for unpermitted improvements. There are only Tax Accessors records for the buildings and no permits on record. Where do you think that will end up? So far I have declined access even with the threats of a warrant. Long story but so far they have lied to me, sent me fines to deliver 2 letters at $150 ea. Not really sure what my next move will be. BTW all of the buildings are in great shape even if they are over 60 years old.
I have a problem yet my surrounding neighbors don’t.
Can we talk soon? 2092296009
I am now going on year six. Not only is the county inspector directly responsible for the destruction of our home. For forcing the subcontractors from our home. While they were replacing the roof. Then refused to allow them access back onto the roof to cover and protect it. As it was left exposed with no shingles or a temporary cover. While a storm was approaching. Consequently the entire house was completely saturated by the storm. Then a few months later. While we were hiring an abatement company. The building inspector posted a violation for doing work without a permit. Along with a stop work order. Saying that a neighbor called in to report that we had been removing drywall. There had not been a single sliver of drywall removed from the house. But they refused to remove the violation and stop work order. Until we paid demolition permit fees. Before any demolition was done. After proving that this was true. They justified their actions saying that the mitigation was performed without a demo permit. We sorted out that claim. As the manager of the mitigation company (Rainbow) met with the director of the building department and they determined that the mitigation process didn’t require a permit. That took three months. Our insurance company was now apprehensive about the claim because of the unfounded accusations of removing the drywall. The adjuster lowered the amount of the claim. Meanwhile the abatement company obtained permission from the county building inspector. To go ahead with the abatement. But not to remove the notice he had posted. And to display his permit from the state department of health. Alongside it. We were in a small window of time and had to pay for the abatement out of pocket. But were told by the insurer it would be reimbursed. So now we have been informed by the building department that they still refuse to remove the notice. Our home is now inhabitable. I have been requesting that the building department provide documents that include the codes we are accused of being in violation of. And what is needed to be done to resolve this issue. They flat refuse to provide any written explanation. We have been paying mortgage and property taxes for a home that we cannot live in. Our insurance claim has been declared settled. We had hired a general contractor to repair the home. And submit a bid to the insurance company. He has since given up and moved on. We were being tag teamed by the Zoning department for five years. Because of storing materials in the back yard. They had imposed fines of $100 per day for several months. Plus up to an additional $10,000. For which the county commissioners filed a lawsuit against us. We finally had the case dismissed with prejudice in may of 2020. Because it was in violation of constitutional law. We contacted the building department again. After the court case was dismissed. But they are still refusing to remove the notice and stop work order. Until we pay fines and penalties. But refuse to provide any explanation of what we are in violation of. This is so damn frustrating. We are both in our sixties. I have disabilities that prevent me from getting employment. My wife is retired but has to work. To get us by paycheck to paycheck. Our retirement savings has been wiped out. We have consulted with several attorneys. Written letters and spoke with our state representatives, DORA, a state senator, and the governor. Recently we have been instructed to contact the DOJ. Which we have. The response from them was not encouraging. So we are now getting ready to contact the FBI. What in the hell happened to the pursuit of freedom,life,liberty, and justice for all?
I’m having that same problem with code enforcement they’ve been coming to my house for the last 10 years hassling me telling me that I have to do things that I don’t have to do like get rid of my portable patios all the way to they couldn’t inspect my electric panel because of a pile of trash that was at the back of my property I asked him why he couldn’t inspect it and he said because of the trash and he had to call code enforcement and I said what does that have to do with the electricity he said it was a fire hazard and there’s no electricity back there to be a fire hazard so they turned off my electricity and my water they kicked me out of my house they said I had 5 minutes to pack a bag to act like I was leaving for the weekend and to take my dogs with me I had three large pit bulls and one of them died because I didn’t have any place to put them out of the heat so he had a heat stroke he was only 3 years old so he didn’t die of because he was old he died because it was too hot outside anyway after that they left me alone for a while and then they decided they were going to take me and make me a public nuisance no complaints no nothing from anybody and they considered me a public nuisance told me I had 30 days to abate the property or they was going to come in and do it and charge me for it after that I didn’t hear from for almost a year and then all of a sudden here within the last couple days they come over here and they did the same thing again basically but they didn’t kick me off the property this time but they turned my electric out today at 1:00 in the morning so here I sit in the dark right now can’t get around because I can’t see anything I am disabled I can barely walk in the daylight let alone at night without a light I’m disabled and code enforcement was informed about that and just ignored it isn’t there some kind of law that they can’t turn a disabled person’s electricity off if there’s anything that can be done about this please let me know ASAP thank you
So what is the recourse for the defendant to pursue legal action against the local building department.In Colorado. That has issued a NOV along with a stop work order. On the pretense of a code violation. Without prior written notice that explains what the code violation is. And evidence to backup their cause for finding that the homeowners have violated the specified code? Better yet! A NOV is posted on the residence. For a building code violation. While the homeowners are not at home. Without verifying that they indeed in violation of this code. There is no information on the NOV other than performing work on the home without a permit. Only a hand written note. That includes a phone number to call for information about the violation. Accompanied by a stop work order for all conteactors. Until the NOV has been remedied. When there has been no work being performed upon the house. Then you add in the fact that four months prior to posting this NOV. THIS SAME BUILDING INSPECTOR POSTED A NOV. VERBALLY AND ORDERED THE SUB CONTRACTORS FROM THE ROOFTOP. NOT ALLOWING THE WORKERS TO COVER THE UNPROTECTED EXPOSED OPEN HOME. BECAUSE THEY HAD JUST FINISHED REMOVING THE COVERING MATERIALS. JUST AS A SEVERE WEATHER EVENT IS UNFOLDING. OVER AN INCH OF RAIN FROM A MASSIVE DOWNPOUR ENTERED THE HOME. THE ENTIRE HOUSE WAS FLOODED WITH RAINWATER. NOW AS THE HOMEOWNERS ARE IN THE PROCESS OF CONTRACTING AN ABATEMENT COMPANY TO REMOVE THE DAMAGED INTERIOR OF THE HOME. THEY HAVE IN ALL SENSE OF THE TERM. TAKEN THE HOUSE HOSTAGE. AND ARE DEMANDING PAYMENT FOR UNFOUNDED CLAIMS OF A BUILDING CODE VIOLATION! WHEN THE HOMEOWNERS PROVIDED UNCONTESTED PROOF POSITIVE THAT THEY HAVE NOT IN ANY MANNER VIOLATED ANY BUILDING CODES. THIS IS EXTORTION AND BLACKMAIL.
I believe your story ,I to have a code enforcement illegal issue but mine is about health and safety code not being enforced three times and my case file has vanished along with being giving a new # for a second complaint which was rejected to open a case this last one is now with my ability to get into the wall of this toxic water leak that has been my complaint throughout this attempt to have this enforced I was giving a copy of a six page violation but after the management contacted this officer the order is not being enforced meanwhile this was said to include a HYGENTIST and RESGERTERD it with the state now it turned out to no inspection to esses this contamanation and with no know mold amount it can be done by any type of non professtional but this is in the service CAVIETY it is way more then ten ft and they have put their plan of repair in and it starts with MEASUREING my drywall which is not the area of concern it was giving 14 days and it’s now been two months to come up with a walk measured instead of the protocol inspection it required to and what was originally put in the order to include this protocol I now have not been responded to as I inform them it isn’t my unit it’s there building structure that has the contamantion which is toxic and I am sick this officer has violated my right I’ve just headed in the direction of the Justice dept and FBI because she has TAMPERD with my files and that isn’t there for me to use as this is becoming the continued voilations she is continuing to coverup I believe she has accepted $ and this is the result a person of color low income and the thought that I knew nothing about my rights I just don’t know how to start the process but I just read it and will get right on it to file a complaint
Please contact me
Deborah Reed 512.557.2386
I have a question for you about code enforcement. Its a little long for this forum.How to reach you?
Kudos Bob.
Your resume should include my name!
Hello, as a code consultant I was wondering if I could pick your brain about one or two things, pretty simple. 2.5 acres in kern county,ca be hit by code enforcement but it’s my neighbors apn not mine I’m off grid and flat land. I have rv for storage and 2 campers. Isn’t this recreational only use. I don’t live there I only go there once in a while for a day or 2 to check on things. Thanks
DOES THIS SOUND FAMILIAR?
We have observed a pattern of Racketeering involving corrupt code enforcement actions, following various illegal conduct such as strategic: (1) dumping of waste on the target property; (2) mysterious fires set on the target property; (3) repeated and frequent trespassing by squatters sometimes residing without permission and engaging in illegal activities on the target property; (4) vandalism and theft on the target property; (5) this racketeering conduct is followed by anonymous complaints made to municipal authorities by the parties seeking to cheaply acquire the target property; complaints typically leading to corrupt municipal code compliance actions where either (a) violations such as illegal modifications, making repairs without permits have been invented by the code officer and/or (b) the code officer refuses to admit to or acknowledge the property owners diligent attempts to bring the property into compliance.
This conduct should be construed as a pattern of illegal racketeering activity, under color of municipal authority, as the conduct is soon followed by a complaint filed in Superior Court by municipal authorities for the alleged “Health and Safety” violations. The City moves that the Court appoint a receiver, frequently G.S. Strategies Inc. located at 550 E HOSPITALITY LANE STE 300, San Bernardino, CA 92408) who is entitled to unjust enrichment through sales of the property with absolutely no compensation to the property owner. San Bernardino appears to be the center of a
systematic and pervasive misuse of State and Municipal Authority by Corrupt Code Enforcement Officials specifically targeting senior, elderly and or disabled individuals for the purpose of depriving them of their real property. San Bernardino has transferred many of its “specially trained” code enforcement personnel to other Cities such as Carlsbad and other San Diego County Municipalities.
The term Racketeering refers to crimes committed through extortion or coercion.
A racketeer is someone who attempts to obtain money or property from another person, usually through illegal acts such a paying fees to criminals, vandals and encouraging squatters to trespass, in order to take possession of private property through G.S. Strategies co-conspiracy with its corrupt code enforcement partners, who are in most cases we have screened located in City of San Bernardino County or Riverside County, or were trained there and later transferred to other municipalities. Our forensic investigators have been actively collecting case histories of multiple victims of these abusive and corrupt code enforcement actions frequently committed
in Riverside and San Diego Counties, resulting in a Court Appointed receiver entitled to sell the target property, typically, but not always, Court Appointed Receiver G.S. Strategies Inc.
Once our victim list has been compiled, each victim will be personally interviewed and their testimony will be incorporated in a persuasive and evidentially supported : Criminal Complaint and Demand for Prosecution, to be send concurrently to: the U.S. Attorney for our District ROBERT S. BREWER, JR.; and also to the Criminal Law Division of the Financial Fraud and Special Prosecutions Unit of the State of California Attorney General; XAVIER BECERRA.
WORKING TOGETHER we may be able to get relief from this increasingly common racketeering practice. So if you think any of the above described Pattern of Racketeering applies to you and you would like your case to be included in our complaint, please contact us ASAP by email at koldesigns@yahoo.com WITH THE SUBJECT LINE: RICO VICTIM, and provide us with same way to contact you and with some details of your personal story.
Alternatively you may contact us by USPS mail addressed care of
Catherine Bryan 603 Seagaze Dr, Ste # 720
Oceanside, CA 92054
We are currently going through a very similar situation with city of san bernardino.
Would really like to meet with you and discuss our case.
Billy1vasquez@yahoo.com
Catherine,
Your forum post is a perfect explanation of the tactics that are used, on the vulnerable property owners you described. I AM SUCH AN UNFORTUNATE PERSON AND MY LIFE IS STILL IN SHAMBLES WITH 31 warrants for arrest for municipal code violations written to me in rapid succession during weeks i was making progress in 2020 AND WITHOUT RECEIVING ANY NOTICE TO APPEAR, I MISSED THE ONE COURT DATE NEARLY TWO YEARS AFTER THE DATE CITATIONS BEGAN. SO NOW ATTACHED FINES FOR failure to appear, ITS A POSSIBILITY OF TOTAL FINES AND FEES OF OVER $30,000. FOR FAILURE TO MOWE X 14 TICKETS AND ACCUMULATION OF DEBRIS AND RUBBISH X 14 TICKETS. MY HOME WAS DEMOLISHED AND THIS TOWN city employees are rude as they tell me they are not going to drop charges, they have no explanation for why this number of tickets, when this wasn’t and isn’t now any typical treatment of code violations.
I have speculated for these years beginning 2020, that exactly what you categorically listed, are cooperating efforts to profit from misery they caused the target. The use of heroin user squatters who actively work against best efforts to clean up property was more than I could overcome. And all others you included, I experienced them all. And even now, can’t even renew my ID to file my IRS tax return until someone intervenes on my behalf to get fair treatment from city employees that are determined to punish me harshly. GOD BLESS US ALL WHO LOVE HIM AND KEEP HIS WORD. HE WILL KEEP US IN HIS FAVOR FOR THE HARDSHIPS WE’VE HAD. GOD TRULY RECOMPENSED ME, WITH A LOVE AND LIFE BETTER THAN IVE EVER DREAMED OF. NOTHING IS WASTED WITH THE LORD.
Hello , Im looking for some direction due to I bought three small lots in the back country of san diego. I have only distant neighbors .. a dirt road .. ect.. I put a small 10 x 8 shed and got a notice that I cannot have a structure without first establishing “principal use” Im an artist of all sorts and thought I would be able to enjoy my own land.. they are saying i can be charged up to 1000 a day and i need to take “all items off vacant land” do you know of any help? Im thinking of fighting this. My shed was built using scraps and donated materials from the surrounding community. thank you in advance
Jamaal,
Unfortunately the authorities have the upper hand in your situation, as they generate and enforce the rules. Every jurisdiction has its own rules, so there is no general reaction to your situation that will allow your building to remain legally. I suggest that you either cordially communicate with the authorities to see if there is any work-around, or that you get some advice of another person who is knowledgeable with the local laws.
Can you direct me to someone that can represent me in San Bernardino CA?
Another person put his personal posesions next and some on my property.
Code enforcement has contacted him, but they still are trying to make me
responsible for his things bein on my property.
Your help on this matter will be greatly apreciated.
We live in the rural area of Aguanga Ca. We bought the property 12 yrs ago with the structures that are on it today. Two mobile homes, a manufactured home and a four car garage. One of the tenants stopped paying the rent and called code enforcement to try to say property was inhabitable. He was not successful in getting the code enforcement to claim uninhabitable . But the CE came out and now we are getting a violation for unpermitted buildings. We have to tear down our 4 car garage and our two mobile homes. Our property value will go down lower than what we owe plus we don’t have the money to tear down all these buildings.
Again we bought the property like this over 15 yrs ago. My husband says he is not tearing down anything. he will not comply to them. what can they do to us? I know we can never sell the property to a third party, but can they come in demolish the properties them self? or can they sue us?
The majority of properties out here in the desert are not permitted. Why does this code enforcement have to do this? I thought they were looking for health and safety violations or things that are not to code like septic tanks and such
is there anything we can do to save our property?
So sorry to hear this. You might want to hire a lawyer for professional advice. From my experience they can and probably will hire a contractor to tear everything down, haul it away, and then bill you and probably add fines. They can also take the property if you don’t pay.
In my opinion, what they’re doing has very little if anything to do with “health and safety”. It’s about the money and controlling people.
need help fighting Torrance (zip 90503) City Code tyranny abuse targeting senior with multiple disabilities retired since 2006.. 10 years 10’s thousands to attorneys (who always seem to flip to city side leaving me defenseless (keeping “graces” with city abandoning leaving defenseless client, denying client demand to testify in own behalf, present evidence photos, emails, witnesses to inspections where inspector state property is in compliance then in court testifies opposite Pub Dfndr denied presenting my evidence: testimony docs emails photos to expose perjury by city inspector) – I filed State Bar and appeal actions which due to using Public Defender went off in left field not even related to issues listed in my submission) Who system is corrupt including Judge AB Honeycutt who did on record in court against protocol did flawed investigation and was untouchable upon appeal I filed as appointed appeals attorney filed a story which had no bearing on case nor issues called out in my submission so I lost.. same with So Bay Bar Assn= LM Manning prosecutor (failed to report to court Judge ruled I must act in own behalf after prior ruling I could not! he denied all my motions then realized he’d ruled I could not represent self in last appearance weeks earlier) I filed appeal & SBBA no defense denial my evidence photos testimony to refute perjured Inspector testimony and SBBA found no wrong doing?!!
HELP City is inspecting again my property both outside & inside
Thurs Aug 10 2017 10 am.
Torrance maple st Div 5 Court appearance Aug 28 8:30 am
I am disallowed to store rain water in capped 5 gallon jugs, disallowed to place tarps over anything in my yard even the ones to block wind rain sun on my back porch patio cover citing promotes vermin harborage, I am disallowed to store anything in my back yard enclosed by 5′ blockwall, I as disallowed to have washer dryer in my garage where it’s been for over 50 years.. (neighbors are also there but they do not get cited, just me?) I am not allowed to store anything INSIDE house in cardboard boxes citing fire hazard!!?? My 10 fire (both ionization & photo) CO detectors were insufficient per last inspection? and a laundry list of bizzare crazy alleged violations .. how is it city can invade my privacy and inspect inside house? I’ve live here since Apr 1974. I am disallowed to place tarps over items in back yard to prevent wind, water & sun damage!! ?
Life Liberty & Pursuit of Happiness is a foreign concept to this city.
I served 3 year active duty US Military Service with distinction having been drafted in 1966.
I’m sorry to hear of your problems. This proves how gov agencies tend to demand more and more power and larger budgets over time. They NEED to penalize people to justify their budgets. It’s a bad trend to say the least.
Thanks Owen.. Do you have knowledge of how to fight such abuse.. I’ve been failing at it for 10 years now.. and am out of gas. I even got sentenced to 15 days LA County Central Jail!!! so I guess now I’m a city manufactured criminal.. Why are city code allegations, CRIMINAL? BTW I was innocent.. they alleged I erected a permanent un-permitted structure in my back yard (7 counts i.e. places in code where structure were cited) a COSTCO vinyl bungee corded canopy. I was railroaded.. plus abused in jail by the guards… kicked in back and released at midnight 24 mi from home (and the court that remanded me) with no money no phone and in a very bad part of LA)
I think City intends to jail me again (using false contrived false allegations of code violations where neighbors have similar bur haven’t yet been targeted) this time for 6 months.. to enable a forced cease of my property and sell my house.. so I will be on the street .. WHAT A CITY
You’re dealing with a type of organized mafia. There’s only so much you can do. Sometimes you have to know when to walk away. Create a new life elsewhere and just forget about this. Life is too short.
Quitting is not the answer, that only gives them more power to continue the abuse. Start doing your own research where you will find the laws that are supposed to protect you. There are places to report code enforcement people who are abusing their power. I am just beginning on that battle myself. God showed you the problem for a reason and does not give you anything you can not handle
Camera and recordings are your best friend. Then you have to take it above the city level to the FBI and get an in person meeting with your congressmen and Senators. Also the Governor will help. If they have denied you any administrative hearings, file a lawsuit yourself to the circuit court. Go on the attack. It is the only way to get a bully to back off.
When will my friends suffer the anger and frustration of eventually falling victim to the abuse of a local code enforcement officer. Because I’m in real estate my exposure to code enforcement is a constant source of frustration and the problem is growing. Because of this heighten awareness of the widespread abuse of local code enforcement, I see the problem more pressing matter that requires a solution. I’ve have fallen victim to these power-hungry bureaucrats three times over the past few years and it’s time to do something about it. Let me know if anyone knows of an organization that is getting some traction with this matter.
Thanks
Thanks for sharing. What you’re experiencing is a bad and seemingly growing problem. As I keep saying, that’s the nature of bureaucracies. They tend to keep growing and growing. More rules means they need more code officials and higher budgets, and on and on it goes. In this case it’s particularly hard to stop because numerous parties have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo (= most people with lots of money). I don’t know who you can turn to. The Development Center for Appropriate Technology may have ideas.
http://www.dcat.net/
Institute for Justice has prevailed in some cases, http://www.ij.org . Many cases being decided in the courts. Too many to list. I post many cases on my FB, at least those that are brought to my attention.
https://m.facebook.com/lynda.galligan.7
azure168.wordpress.com
Yes, INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE. IVE SUBMITTED MY CASE INFORMATION TO THEM. LORD WILLING, I’LL GET THE LEGAL HELP I NEED AND MAKE AN EXAMPLE OF THIS CITY, WILLFUL VIOLATIONS OF 8TH AMENDMENT RIGHTS JUST TO START.
Yes I’ve had the same problem with code enforcement here in San Diego they have baited my property added $115,000 to my property tax now it’s up to 231 my number 619-204-0703 Tommy Matthews and my email is Tommy Matt 987 at gmail.com
HELP..CODE ENFORCEMENT IS ON ME BIG TIME. DO YOU HAVE, OR KNOW OF, ANY ATTORNEYS WHO FIGHT THEM??
PLEASE RESPOND TO cjomar78@gmail.com as I have no computer and Carol will bring me your replies.
THANK YOU,
Walt
When your San Diego Say hi to The Deputy City Attorney Goon Squad NCCD Reps. They will turn your Grand Fathered in Property rights upside down and have you arrested Even though it was approved in writing 10 times in 40 years.On City letter head records they are hiding After 3 years of wasting tax payers $ then they get sued oh no.
I am also in San Diego and have Deputy City attorney Miller lying his head off in court. The papers they filed are also full of lies. Do you have any resources or an attorney that will fight them without charging an arm and a leg? I hope you are still responding to this site.
They even denied me the right to an Administrative hearing, never have followed the process of identifying issues, notifying me of the issue, along reinspection. If there were any years ago with any re-inspection, they never notified me of any continued problem with that issue, nor did they ever fine me. Instead they started demanding access inside the dwelling. With those incursions, they never ONCE gave a list of what was to be fixed. They had the audacity to try to put it on me to figure out what was needed, demanding to know what I had done? When the list of what was needed was again requested, they would say they would supply it, but they never did. THEN they would want access at some point possibly even a year or more later, all without ever stating exactly what was needed. Then in 2016 they demanded entrance again, bullying their way inside. At that point they stated they had the write-up but were verifying it. They did a very poor job of identifying problems at this residence. Most of what they listed was vague or was even about a different property. But without ever going to court, they slandered title by filing that document with the county, claiming the property was a nuisance property. Remember, this was all without EVER identifying the issues specifically in writing ahead of the doc they filed wiht the county. Per the CA regulations, that filing was to be done only after getting a COURT ORDER. And on the city web site, that is supposedly an action that is not considered an urgent matter. Yet they in April of 2017 decided they were going to attempt to take the property via a receivership. They had new items in the batch this time that had never been seen. They are claiming health and safety issues, both on the slandering of title, and now on the receivership. You would not believe the number of lies that are present in their filing, yet the court is committing judicial error by the presumption that the city does not take such a filing lightly. Well, they never followed ANY of the Code Compliance procedures at all. In all my years in this house, I have NEVER had a VALID fine to pay from code enforcement. The interesting thing is that the year before they apparently are claiming all these issues tie in to, the city tried to force me to allow a neighbor to have the view over my property that is not a legal RIGHT of that property owner. There is no HOA or other agreement on shrubbery versus views.
I need help to fight these abuses. The city has corruption in code enforcement from what I am seeing, and it may extend into the city attorney’s office.
I live in San Bernardino county desert as well (Joshua Tree). I have a five acre parcel with no neighbors. There are no houses or utilities within 1/4 mile of me. Yet I cannot get a building permit, even for a storage shed, unless I connect to public water and electric. The cost? $60,000 for water alone (my property is appraised at around the same price). If thats not the definition of a “racket”, I don’t know what is.
The question I want to ask is abit in the extreme, but if the county officials have been acting illegaly, why hasn’t anyone gone “postal on them before now”. Or do these officials only pick on people the y think they can bully. Just Asking.
That’s anyone’s guess. I suspect most people don’t want to lose their money, their home and go to jail. As much pain and suffering that they go through, common sense stops them from doing something crazy. That said, bureaucrats are walking a fine line. You’ve heard the saying “When people have nothing else to lose, they lose it.” Some people do go postal.
To whom it may concern.
My name is Paul Wesley spearman III. I am mentally disabled living on SSI disability for last 19 years. I have been made homeless dead of winter in mountains again. I own my own property had a mobile on it but someone burned it down last August while I was homeless because of a code compliance officer who has a problem with me he had red tagged my house which wasn’t part of the violations I was fixing, but he did it because we had a verbal dispute and I called him some ugly names.so next day came with paperwork to red tag my home which wasnt part of violations .I had fixed all them but one that was a trailer that someone abanded on dirt road front my place.so anyways he red tags my house has sheriff’s tell me and my cousin a decorated veteran we gotta get out in 24 hours. It was just before Christmas it was 19 degrees at night here.so my cousin went to VA housing I went homeless had to suicide by cop attempts went thru hell by summer I was doing better staying in town with friend then got news my place was burned down in August oh and I have been severely fined by code compliance 9 thousand dollars so it’s been extra hard to stay alive paying off these fines.then Jacob Clayton the code compliance officer immediately is on me to clean my burned down house up I tried had some help but didn’t meet his deadline so he came bulldozed my last two structures on my property tore up my waterlines by BC accident again.i will be billed another 8 thousand dollars for this one.so I been staying with a friend in a RV on his property while i been trying to get my property ready this trailer that was donated to me and well Jacob found out where I’m staying and hit my friend with code violations so I’m back on the f####;’ streets again it just snowed again .so I guess Kern county code compliance is not part of your intraagency program on homelessness. Well I was successful one time suicide I was dead for 8 minutes then EMTs somehow revived me. I wonder will they be as Lucky again.o r this go postal ?
Got the same issue here in San Diego with code enforcement taking sides when all I have is a tiny trailer in my own land . Forced to move with no home and no where to go .
You hit the nail on the head. They do these indiscreet meet and greets to find out who they can target next. Usually widows, divorcées and elderly. This way they can say the Widow is distraught with great, the divorcee is bitter, and the elderly are senile. or they will die before they could fight back.
I MUST be very blunt. After listening to this gentleman and reading the article….I’m VERY pissed and this is a crystal clear view of government extortion. How Un-American and pure pathetic. EXTORTION simple as that! How has our country become so thuggish today? Money and greed. Unbelievable. I see Doc why you got out. More and more Americans are leaving and the reasons start at the Whitehouse down to local government. This is a perfect example.
What’s most concerning to me is this type of behavior seems to be spreading. Corruption has always been around. Now it’s growing out of control. Just one example is the NSA story brought to light by whistleblower Edward Snowden. The government is saving all Verizon phone data (and almost certainly all other phone company’s data as well) in a massive data center in Utah. They’re saving records of all emails, all forum discussions, all online searches, etc. etc. etc. No government in history has ever done this. These actions are clearly unconstitutional and immoral.
You’re 100% right. It IS UN-Constitutional and 1984 IS here. The main problem as I see it is two fold. One we have a corrupt government and it’s broken. Two this government allows our enemies into the country who by their very belief system will never be something you can ever trust. I’ve read their demonic book and when you consider that this is the book they’re required to know by heart and to believe every word and instruction; they will never assimilate to western lifestyle and belief. The government starting with this so-called President along with his Justice Department head and his dumber than dirt Vice President……it’s a big mess and they should never question why millions of Americans don’t like or trust them. They’re trying to do away with the 2nd Amendment and Homeland Security has been buying up all the ammo that there’s empty shelves all across America. This IS telling Americans something is up. I truly believe that our monetary system is about to collapse and that’s what they’re getting ready for. I’d love to be wrong but, all the indicators are pointing to that very real possibility. The Kingdom is about to fall thanks to the politicians. They’re will be no place for them to hide unless they plan to live in a bunker for the rest of their lives. Americans will be angry and deranged.
well, let’s hope enough people wake up, speak out and take peaceful action before it’s too late.
I have to disagree with you on one point. It’s that peaceful approach that’s got us to this point in the first place. Trying to be nice and get along is just another way for “them” to step on us and our rights. People in high government just like these sub humans demanding money and more money in this blog post see everything as just business disregarding the people. Money grubbing business.
It was the previous President that created and implemented the rules to allow the NSA to collect every American’s data and spy on Americans. That and his Republican Controlled Congress.
Anyone who decides to go along with or try to work with the current bureaucratic system becomes vulnerable to that system. These giant bureaucracies will continue growing ever larger in size and always demand more and more money. You never know when they’ll slap on giant new fees and taxes. Think ahead before becoming part of this. Wouldn’t you rather live in a rural area with few or no codes, 1/100th the red tape and drastically lower prices?
It’s not just building code abuse. The same thing happens with zoning regulations, homeowner association rules, business regulations…
This guy is screwed no matter what. Detroit is no longer a democracy. He cannot even vote to change his local government any longer.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/24/us/defiant-anxious-detroit-gets-an-emergency-manager.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
Detroit citizens no longer have any say in how their local government operates.
That is nearly a dictionary definition of dictatorship.
You couldn’t pay me enough money to open a business anywhere in Michigan right now.
I certainly wouldn’t want to live under that kind of dictatorship.
I won’t say much about whether the guy in the video has a legal case or not, because I’ve only heard his side of the story. However, I’m not shocked that it’s happening in Detroit.
Yeah, Detroit is a cesspit. Pretty much unlivable, really. Maybe you’ve watched those YouTube videos about abandoned buildings in Detroit? They’re really shocking because they show just how far Detroit (and the US) has fallen.
What about northern Michigan as a potential homesteading site? I’ve heard some good things in the past. Maybe things have changed too much now.
I wouldn’t recommend anyone move to anywhere in Michigan.
Their government is simply too oppressive. The Governor has the right to declare an “emergency” and override locally elected government authority. The takeovers have consistently resulted in local citizens’ rights getting trampled, and the civic debt ballooning further out of control than it has ever been.
Local citizens have no rights.
The citizens of the State of Michigan voted to repeal the law that granted these dictatorial powers to take over local governments,
http://www.annarbor.com/news/proposal-1-defeated-michigan-voters-repeal-emergency-manager-law/
but the State dictators passed a new dictatorship law to replace it. This time they used loopholes to pass a law that cannot be repealed by the voters.
Michigan is not a place I would recommend anyone move to or start a business.
Wow. Absolutely wow. What the heck is going on in Michigan? How could people let things slide so far? Thanks for the heads up. I’m going to post a copy of this on our blog post called Counties with Few or No Building Codes. https://naturalbuildingblog.siterubix.com/counties-with-few-or-no-building-codes/
The States of Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin all now have essentially the same State ordered dictatorship laws.
Locally elected governments can be taken over by the State and rendered powerless.
Anyone that values freedom should be appalled.
It’s all a political power grab.
So let’s see if I have this right. Governments create lots of bureaucracies that all grow in size until they’re no longer affordable. This breaks the budget and then the state passes draconian laws to strip people of their rights and take total control. This means the government created the whole problem. They created the bureaucracies that broke the budget and now they’re claiming dictatorial powers. Is this basically correct? This is eerily similar to Agenda 21 that some predict will drive people into the cities and clear out the heartland of the US.
If so, this sounds like what I predicted in my blog post in March, 2012 called Building Codes are a Slippery Slope. https://naturalbuildingblog.siterubix.com/the-slippery-slope-of-building-codes/
Partial quote:
“Supporting and participating in the building code process increases the flow of money to a bureaucracy that will want to hang onto power at minimum and, if at all possible, grow in size and perceived importance… I’m talking about the tendency of bureaucracies to grow, overreach, become oppressive, intrusive and burdensome. While some good may come from all this – a certain amount of improved public safety, for instance – all the negatives outweigh the good, and eventually we need to stop feeding the beast so alternatives can take root.”
I’d say your first paragraph is largely correct, but not entirely.
The issue is more complex than you are describing. There are other forces involved. It’s not only about Government bureaucracies, although that is a very important factor.
The corporate influence is probably a bigger factor than governmental.
Those that stand to gain billions are pulling the strings. They lobby the government to get laws passed that they want, that will maximize their profits by FORCING average citizens to pay much more money for their homes than they really are worth. The International Code Commission, the most predominant code writing authority, is not a government entity. It is a private entity. It is effectively controlled by big corporate interests. Oh sure, they claim to listen to local concerns, but they really do not. Too many stories are out there of the ICC ignoring the concerns of local communities.
Then the big corporations scare up big media campaigns to frighten people whenever there is some catastrophe. If there is a fire, they make sure the media attacks someone for not following building code. Never mind that the building was probably 95% in compliance and was made out of matchsticks and toxic plastics that outgas poisonous smoke during a fire, just like practically every other structure that does pass code. Never mind that it’s roof trusses were built with stamped pressed on metal gusset plates which have been proven to be the most hazardous type of truss connection during a fire. The moment even a small amount of heat hits those metal gussets, the heat gets quickly transmitted into all those little stab wounds in the matchstick and char the surface of the wood. It’s not the wood that fails on a truss in a fire, but the ability for the metal gusset plate to hang on to the wood once the surface gets charred. Of course, all the evidence of this fact gets destroyed when the roof collapses and burns up all the wood.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jo5ZtBXJiHo
Notice during the slow motion where the truss failed. AT THE CONNECTIONS. Thanks to building code, these trusses are what hold up the roof of the vast majority of houses. Why? Because they can be built very fast and very cheap, and can be sold for high profits.
Firefighters have been asking the ICC to change the rules on metal gusset plate roof trusses for years. The ICC ignores them. Why? Clearly the ICC is not a safety organization, but a profit generating organization for Building Materials Manufacturers and Suppliers, and Contractors.
There are also socio-political factors. I’m not talking governmental politics necessarily, but social. The building codes are a very powerful tool that get used and abused to enforced social status.
“You can’t build that here, it violates code.” often has the real meaning, “This neighborhood doesn’t want to associate with someone that has … [insert one of the below factors here]”
A lower income than the rest of the neighborhood.
A different religion than the rest of the neighborhood.
A different race than the rest of the neighborhood.
A different political leaning than…
A house design that does not generate enough profit for the local contractors/suppliers.
An owner that has not offered a bribe or a big enough bribe to the codes department.
Yes, governmental overreach is part of the problem, but restricting the debate to that issue ignores many of the real root causes. It ignores the forces that are influencing the government in the first place.
Yes, I know large corporations are part of the story. But I try to keep blog posts a reasonable length instead of trying to cover all the different angles. That’s what the Comments section is for.
That’s a good video about testing trusses versus stick built trusses. I wonder how much longer the trusses would last with staples or nails through the gusset plates?
Also note how a lot of expensive homes use timber trusses. Obviously it’s not just for looks.
First off, Nails or Staples through the standard gusset plates would be a code violation.
In my opinion, it wouldn’t help.
If someone is going to use manufactured trusses, I recommend that they wrap the trusses in fireblocking insulation, especially around the gusset plates. Something like Rockwool wrapped around (skipping the nailing surface for the ceiling and the roof sheathing.) Wire it on with metal bailing wire to keep it in place. Then slather it with a coat of cement mortar or earthen plaster. That would protect the gusset plates.
This assumes that the trusses will be hidden in an attic and not part of the visual inside the house.
If they will be visible, I doubt anyone will be using the perforated metal gussets because they’re so ugly.
This may seem unimportant to some. They figure if the fire is blazing that hot, everyone’s dead already. That’s not usually true. Many electrical fires start in attics from overheated pot lights, or from leaky chimneys or appliance flues.
My point isn’t to rant trying to get the code changed, but to illustrate how inept the process is. It really isn’t about safety. It’s about profits. When safety cuts into profits, profits win in the code consistently.
I’d much rather build it myself using materials that are unlikely to burn or put out toxic smoke in the first place. The codes make that as difficult to do as possible. No profit for the fat cats.
Insulating/wrapping the gussets with fireproof materials would provide an extra layer of safety. Good idea. I like using locally sourced timbers because the larger diameter naturally provides a certain level of fire resistance. (It’s easier to start sticks on fire than big logs.)
Years ago (35 years?) I saw trusses made with the gussets stapled in place. Maybe the gussets were larger so the staples were not so close to the end of the boards or maybe they changed the code since then. But the main point is like you say — it’s largely about maximizing profits for big corps. If anyone doubts this then all they have to do is stop and think about why manufactured houses/trailer houses meet code. I’ve written blog posts about this because it clearly exposes the code process as a giant fraud.
https://naturalbuildingblog.siterubix.com/229000-fema-trailers/
https://naturalbuildingblog.siterubix.com/trailer-houses-versus-earthbag-building/
https://naturalbuildingblog.siterubix.com/how-to-build-a-house-that-will-self-destruct-and-burn-like-crazy/
If building codes/code officials were really serious about fire safety — I mean really, really concerned as if lives were truly on the line (which they are) — they would require a much higher level of construction than current match stick houses filled with plastics and wafer board. Anyone at all capable of rational thought should be able to realize the system is a bad joke.
Note: by “much higher level of construction” I’m talking about nonflammable building materials such as plastered earthbags. Or even better, how about reducing the codes to a tiny 20-50 page guide of performance codes in common English and do away with prescriptive codes? Or even better, just get rid of codes completely and go back to good old common sense. That’s how people build in my area. People can build whatever they want without codes or permits. There are almost never any house fires. The main ‘code’ is using nonflammable materials in the city.
https://naturalbuildingblog.siterubix.com/early-us-building-codes/
Dang Owen,
Asking me to remember stapled on Gusset plates from 35 years ago?
I’m just proud of myself if I can remember to put the seat down after taking a … well… I digress. ;)
I think I kinda remember something along those lines that never really became popular. Mainly because, as I recall, too many people didn’t use enough staples and the plates wouldn’t stay on, even without a fire, just under normal loads. Total cluster@#$k.
I’m with you on the round timbers. Mother Nature figured out a long time ago how to make a strong structure out of wood. A round tree.
Performance based building codes. Wouldn’t that be awesome?
Of course… then the corporations would simply change their tactics and take control of the performance testing tools, methods, people, and still get their crap approved. They’d also find an excuse to charge 10 times as much to test a DIY Naturally built structure as opposed to a crappy stick built, toxic fume producing death trap.
Kinda like how Weyerhaeuser has taken control of the construction lumber grading system.
You mentioned how the big lumber companies control lumber grading. Here’s a previous blog post — not sure if you’ve seen it — that helps explain how this scam works. Small sawmills can’t compete with the giant lumber corps like Weyerhaeuser even though their wood may actually be superior. https://naturalbuildingblog.siterubix.com/three-ways-building-codes-escalate-construction-costs/
Some may not be interested in topics like this. But for me it’s important to expose this corruption so we as a society can rebuild something more ethical and sustainable. A fair system would allow small sawmills to thrive and provide affordable products locally instead of shipping things for hundreds or thousands of miles and going through a series of middlemen that jacks up prices.
File this under, “They don’t build them like they used to.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDNPhq5ggoE
This is largely about the furniture, and the drapery fabrics, but also about construction.
I think this is an important consideration especially building in areas with few or no building codes. These areas are often more rural, with longer wait times before fire fighters can arrive.
It just makes sense to furnish your house with less synthetic fabrics and no urethane foam paddings, which are like gasoline in a fire.
Natural Building makes sense on what you put inside a structure as well as what the structure is built out of.
Great find, thanks.