San Diego County's Code Compliance Division handles complaints for unincorporated areas. Reports can be filed online through Accela Citizen Access, by phone, or by email. The division investigates zoning, building, grading, and property maintenance violations.
The San Diego County Code Compliance Division, part of Planning and Development Services (PDS), investigates code violations in unincorporated San Diego County. Complaints can be filed through the Accela Citizen Access online portal (aca-prod.accela.com/SANDIEGO), by email, or by phone. The division investigates: construction without permits, zoning violations, unpermitted grading, property maintenance issues (overgrown vegetation, dilapidated structures), illegal signs, unpermitted home businesses, and violations of the County Zoning Ordinance. For properties within incorporated cities (San Diego, Chula Vista, Escondido, etc.), residents must contact that city's code enforcement. The county takes a complaint-driven approach but also conducts proactive enforcement in some areas. Voluntary compliance is the county's primary goal before escalating to formal enforcement.
Violations may result in corrective notices, administrative citations, stop-work orders, and referral to the County Counsel for legal action. The county may withhold permits on parcels with existing violations.
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