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1. Who do I speak with regarding building code requirements, specifications, or installs?

Building Services has Inspectors available to answer your detailed questions by calling 530-745-3150. In the event they are assisting another caller, please leave a detailed message so an Inspector can get back with you as soon as possible. To schedule a Building Inspection, please call 530-745-3020.

2. How do I report dumping (appliances, furniture, mattresses) on the side of the road or on private property?

The Environmental Health Division is available to assist you with abatement of solid waste by calling 530-745-2300. If you witness the dumping, please report it to the Placer County Sheriff’s Office immediately at 530-889-7800. Try to provide a vehicle description and license number.

3. Can Code Compliance Services help me with abandoned vehicles on private property?

Code Compliance Services offers an Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Program, and we can remove, at no charge to the property owner, up to five passenger vehicles (one ton or less) from a parcel. Beyond five, cases are reviewed individually and may incur additional charges. Please call our office regarding vehicles other than standard passenger cars/trucks, etc, as the County may still be able to remove for an additional charge. Complete the Abatement Form (PDF) and submit it to Code Compliance Services.

For vehicles abandoned on public streets, please contact California Highway Patrol at 916-663-3344. 

4. How far should a propane tank be from a dwelling?

Please refer to the "Liquid Propane Gas Tank Installation Below 5,000-foot Elevation" handout for areas below 5,000 feet in unincorporated Placer County

5. Is business activity permitted in an area not zoned for such activity?

While many types of home-based businesses are allowed in residential zone districts, the ability to protect the integrity of the neighborhood is very important to Placer County. Please call us at 530-745-3050 or visit the following links for more information:

• Home Occupations (Zoning Ordinance Section 17.56.080)
• Storage-Accessory, Indoor/Outdoor (Zoning Ordinance Section17.56.250)
• Vehicle Repair in a Residential Zone (Zoning Ordinance Section17.56.320)

6. How do I file a complaint in Placer County?

Code Compliance Services is complaint driven and responds only to written complaints (Complaint Form (PDF)). Placer County encourages voluntary compliance realizing that some issues are not the same and timelines may vary. It is our intent to work with property owners within negotiated timelines to a mutually satisfactory resolution. If you have questions about a possible code violation, please email Code Compliance or call 530-745-3050.

Placer County also offers a dispute resolution service available to County residents. It may prove useful, especially in resolving disputes between neighbors. For more information please contact the Placer Dispute Resolution Service at 916-771-0108.

7. A complaint has been filed against my property. What happens now?

All complaints must be verified before any action is taken on our part, therefore a Code Compliance Officer will visit your property to confirm the validity of the complaint. If the complaint is valid, the Officer will explain the violation(s) to you that currently exist on your property, and the actions necessary to correct them.

You will also be a given a time frame to correct the violations. The goal of Code Compliance is to achieve voluntary compliance whenever possible. If however, you choose not to work with the County to correct the outstanding issues, you can be cited and ordered to appear in Placer County Superior Court.

8. What is the Code Compliance process?

The typical steps of the Code Compliance process include:

1. A Complaint Form regarding an alleged violation is filed with Code Compliance.
2. A Courtesy Notice is sent to the Property Owner identifying the section(s) of County Code that is/are being violated.
3. A site inspection of the property will occur to determine if a violation exists.
4. If a violation exists, a “Notice of Violation” letter is sent to the Property Owner.
5. The Notice of Violation letter will provide a timeframe for correction of the violation. The timeframe depends upon the nature of the violation, but generally will allow up to 30 days for compliance. *
6. If compliance is not achieved, an Administrative Citation is issued, and an administrative citation hearing is scheduled.  The hearing officer will consider the staff presentation, then hear from the Property Owner, and then any other respondents attending the hearing. The hearing officer will take the matter under advisement and issue their finding within 10 days.
7. If compliance is not achieved through the citation process, the County may initiate Abatement Proceedings, and/or issue a Notice and Order to Abate.  
   
   * If the Violation identified poses an immediate life, health or safety risk, for example, leaking septic, fire/electrical danger, or risk of structural collapse, among others, the timeframes and citations for noncompliance may be accelerated seeking more immediate action.
    
   Please remember - the goal of the Placer County Code Compliance Division is to achieve voluntary compliance on the part of the property owner/tenant, and we will work with you while you form a reasonable and responsible plan for achieving compliance.