§ 9.65.010. Legislative findings and statement of purpose.

A.

Enforcement of the Long Beach Municipal Code throughout the City is an important public service. Code enforcement is vital to the protection of the public's health, safety, welfare and quality of life. The City Council recognizes that a comprehensive code enforcement system that uses a combination of administrative and judicial remedies helps to gain compliance with Code regulations.

B.

The overburdening of the criminal court system has necessitated the alternative use of an administrative citation program to more effectively adjudicate the majority of nuisance related Code violations. An administrative citation program and the establishment of appropriate fines are intended to act as a reasonable deterrent in preventing violations of the Long Beach Municipal Code.

C.

The City Council hereby finds that there is a need for an alternative method of enforcement of the Municipal Code in accordance with the City's constitutional police power. The City Council further finds that an appropriate method of enforcement is the imposition of administrative penalties as independently authorized by both California Constitution Article XI, Section 7, and Government Code, Section 53069.4.

D.

The procedures established in this Chapter shall be in addition to any criminal, civil or other legal remedy established by law for violation of the Municipal Code.

E.

The City Council hereby finds and determines that enforcement of the Long Beach Municipal Code pursuant to the City's police power is a matter of public health, safety and welfare and serves important public purposes. The City of Long Beach adopts this administrative citation and penalty program in order to achieve the following goals and objectives:

1.

To protect the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the City.

2.

To gain compliance with the Municipal Code in a timely and efficient manner.

3.

To provide for an administrative process to appeal the imposition of administrative citations and fines.

4.

To provide a method to hold parties responsible when they fail or refuse to comply with the provisions of the Municipal Code.

5.

To avoid and/or minimize the expense and delay of enforcement in the civil or criminal justice system.

F.

Use of this Chapter shall be at the sole discretion of the City, subject to Subsection D of this Section.

(ORD-09-0022 § 6, 2009)