City of Sunnyvale

Neighborhood Preservation, pursuant to the Sunnyvale Municipal Code, section 9.26.030 has the authority to issue administrative citations for failure to correct code violations. Additional citations may be issued until compliance is met.

One of the most effective and efficient methods for achieving compliance is the use of the Administrative Citation. Prior to the issuance of an Administrative Citation, staff will attempt to achieve compliance with the property owner by issuing a courtesy notice, compliance letter, and final notice. If compliance is not met, staff will issue a citation. This procedure is more effective and efficient than the Abatement Order process because it is not as time intensive and provides that the property owner have the right to contest the citation with the Hearing Officer.

Payment Information

All fines are due within 30 days of the citation date. A late fee of 10%/month simple interest will be assessed for all payments received after the due date. Payment may be in the form of a personal check, cashier’s check, or money order made payable to the City of Sunnyvale. You may pay the citation by mail or in person at:

City of Sunnyvale

Department of Finance

Accounts Receivable

P.O. Box 3707

Sunnyvale, CA 94088-3707

Hearing Information

The property owner has the right to contest the administrative citation and can request an Administrative Citation Hearing. The property owner must complete a Request for Hearing Form and mail it, together with a deposit of the total amount to:

City of Sunnyvale

Department of Finance

Accounts Receivable

P.O. Box 3707

Sunnyvale, CA 94088-3707

Your request for hearing and deposit must be postmarked within 30 days of the date the citation was issued. You will be notified in writing of the location, date and time set for your hearing.

At the hearing, the property owner will be given an opportunity to testify and present evidence concerning the Administrative Citation. After considering all of the testimony and evidence, the Hearing Officer shall issue a written decision to the property owner within 10 days of the hearing. The decision of the Hearing Officer is final; however, you may appeal to the Santa Clara County Superior Court in accordance with the timeliness set forth in Government Code, Section 53069.4.

The fine shall be refunded if it is determined, after the hearing, that you are not responsible for the violation(s), or if there were no violation(s) as charged. If the citation is upheld, the City shall retain the original deposit as payment.

The fine schedule is as follows:

Sunnyvale Municipal Code Provision

Fine

All violations of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code enforced pursuant to Chapter 1.06 are governed by this schedule of fines

(1)    $50.00 for the

        first violation.

(2)    $100.00 for the second violation   occurring within 36 months of the first citation date.

(3)    $200.00 for the third violation   occurring within 36 months of the second citation date.

(4)    $500.00 for the

        fourth and any

        subsequent

        violation occuring

        within 36 months

        of the third citation

        date.

For questions and/or additional information, please contact Neighborhood Preservation at (408) 730-7610 or by e-mail at npp@ci.sunnyvale.ca.us