Advocacy Updates

Bill 60 Sets Penalty for Violation of Stop Work Order

Council Chair Ernie Martin introduced Bill 60 to provide the Department of Planning and Permitting with the tools to enforce citations for stop work orders, which some contractors and homeowners have ignored in their quest to build “monster homes.” The bill would make it a misdemeanor subject to fines and penalties including $2,000 and up to a year in jail. Chair Martin acknowledged at the hearing that this bill goes above and beyond just monster homes but those violations have been the most egregious.

The Department of Planning and Permitting did support the bill but they were more focused on enforcement. Discussion included a proposed resolution introduced by Council Member Trevor Ozawa that will be heard by the Planning Commission on October 3. The resolution would create zones in which the size of a home would be restricted. Ozawa reiterated his intent which is not to target homeowners interested in building a large home on their lot, but to focus on the high-density rental homes that are flourishing illegally in the community.

The bill heads to final reading by City Council. Chair Martin hopes that it finally gives the DPP a little more teeth in penalizing contractors and homeowners for ignoring the law.

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