Administrative Hearings

Administrative Adjudication Hearings are an alternative enforcement mechanism authorized by State Law and adopted by the City for the enforcement of certain city codes, usually relating to building codes, the condition of a property, or animal control.

Penalties imposed through the Administrative Adjudication Hearings process are administrative penalties rather than criminal penalties.

Administrative Hearing Violations

City Ordinances (Development Services)

  • 8801A – 14-47 Objectionable/Unsightly Matter and Dumping Declared Public Nuisance
  • 8803A – SAPMC Failure to maintain Exterior Property in a Clean, Safe and Sanitary Condition
  • 8803B – SAPMC Failure to Maintain Exterior Property Free from Weeds in Excess of 12 inches
  • 8804A – 10-6 Failure to Obtain a Building Permit

Animal (Animal Care Services)

  • 8810S – 5-109 Violating Animal Limits Requirements
  • 8810Z – 5-125 Violating Rabies Vaccination Requirements
  • 8811A – 5-150 Violating Animal Nuisance Requirements
  • 8811B – 5-151 Violating Outdoor Cat Spray or Neuter Requirements

All Administrative Hearing Violations(PDF, 83KB)

Pending Administrative Cases

There are two ways that you might be notified that you have a pending administrative case.  You may receive an administrative citation.  Alternatively, you may receive a summons in the mail.  Currently, an administrative case number begins with “AH”.

Resolving Cases

You may resolve a pending administrative case by paying the administrative penalty.  Alternatively, you may participate in an Administrative Adjudication Hearing on the date and time indicated on your citation or summons. 

Default Judgment Orders

If you do not respond to your administrative citation or summons by the hearing date, a hearing officer will:

  1. Issue a default judgment order finding you liable for a City Code violation.
  2. Assess the administrative penalty.
  3. Order you to comply with the City Code.

Administrative Adjudication Hearings

Before any hearing, you will have the opportunity to speak with a representative from the City department that issued your citation. Typically, a City representative will propose a resolution to the case which includes a reduced administrative penalty if they believe the City Code violation has been corrected.

If you are able to reach an agreed resolution with the City representative, the agreement will be presented to the hearing officer by the City representative. Once the hearing officer confirms the agreement with you, the case will be adjudicated in accordance with the agreement.

If you are unable to reach an agreement, a hearing will be conducted where the hearing officer will consider evidence presented by the City’s representative and you.  At the conclusion of the hearing, the hearing officer will adjudicate your case.

If you are found liable for a City Code violation, an administrative penalty will be assessed.

Finding of Liability

After a finding of liability, you are expected to pay the administrative penalty.

A hearing officer will not issue a warrant to enforce the assessed penalty.  However, failure to pay the penalty could result in:

  • Referring penalties to a collection agency.
  • Lawsuit from the City to collect the penalty and/or requiring compliance with the City Code.

You have 30 days after a finding of liability to appeal to the Municipal Court. 

NOTE: Information on this website is not to be construed as legal advice.

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