Enforcement Methods

Code Enforcement’s goal is to acquire voluntary compliance by educating property owners, residents, business owners and the Garden Grove community on the Municipal Codes, California Building Codes, California Health & Safety Codes and other applicable codes. However, there are instances when voluntary compliance is not achieved, Code Enforcement Officers will proceed using the following:

1. Notices

When a code violation is reported and confirmed, a formal notice (referred to as a Notice of Violation) will be sent to the responsible party. As a part of this notification process, a time frame will be provided in order for the violations to be addressed. A second notice may be issued as a follow-up if there is no compliance.

2. Administrative Citation

For cases in which after the notification process has been exhausted, administrative fines may be issued in the amount of $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second offense and $500 for any subsequent offense. Administrative fines may be issued for EACH code violation. There may be additional re-inspection invoices of $70 for the first inspection and $100 for all subsequent inspections. Re-inspection invoices are for cost recovery purposes.

3. Judicial Remedies

The City of Garden Grove may also request Judicial Remedies through the City Attorney’s Office. Judicial Remedies include:
a. Criminal Prosecution
b. Civil Injunction
c. Receivership

4. Abatement

The City of Garden Grove also has the option to take action to abate certain violations. During this event, a private contractor may be selected and hired to remove the violations, clean up a property, and/or demolish a property deemed to be a public nuisance.