Clackamas County, OR Code Violation Reporting: How to Report (2026)
Key Facts
- Reporting mechanism
- Allegation letter after preliminary investigation
- Governing section
- Code § 2.07.030(A)
- Enforcement body
- Compliance Hearings Officer, Ch. 2.07
- Administrative compliance fee
- Assessed every 30 days until abated
- Forfeiture amount
- Set by BCC ordinance, Appendix B
- Alternative to citation
- Written voluntary compliance agreement
Summary
Report a suspected code violation to Clackamas County Code Enforcement and staff will run a preliminary investigation before anything else happens. Under County Code 2.07.030(A), staff first evaluate the complaint, assign it a priority level under Board of County Commissioners policy, and send the respondent an allegation letter naming the code sections at issue.
1. Allegation Letter. When an alleged violation is reported to the County, staff shall evaluate the complaint and conduct a preliminary investigation to identify the priority level, established by policy of the BCC, into which the violation falls. Staff shall inform the respondent by letter of the allegation and the code sections that are alleged to be violated.
2. Sufficiency of Evidence. The County shall not proceed further with the matter if it is determined that there is not sufficient evidence to support the allegation, or if the County determines that the investigation finds that the alleged violation is not of a priority to be enforced consistent with policy determined by the BCC. [Added by Ord. 4-2003, 3/13/03; Amended by Ord. 03-2022, 7/21/22]
3. Violation Letter. Once a violation is verified by the County, staff shall prepare and send a letter to respondent that identifies the code sections violated, the priority of the violation and that the Administrative Compliance fee described in section E below will be imposed. [Added by Ord. 03-2022, 7/21/22]
B. Voluntary Compliance Agreement.
1. The County may enter into a written voluntary compliance agreement with respondent before or after a citation is issued. The agreement shall include the required corrective action, time limits for compliance and shall be binding.
Full Breakdown
010). 030(A)(1) requires staff to evaluate it, conduct a preliminary investigation, assign a priority level under BCC policy, and mail or otherwise notify the respondent of the allegation and the specific code sections alleged to be violated. 030(A)(2). 030(E) will be imposed. That fee can be assessed every thirty days, or fraction thereof, from the date the County establishes probable cause until the violation is confirmed abated, with the rate set by BCC resolution in Appendix A. 030(B) setting corrective action and a compliance deadline; entering one is not an admission of the violation, and the County halts further action while its terms are met. 030(G) if an owner or occupant refuses to allow an inspection needed to investigate a reported violation.
Violations & Fines
A verified violation draws a citation carrying a forfeiture amount set by BCC ordinance in Appendix B (2.07.030(D)(1), (5)); the County may waive all or part of it if the respondent promptly and voluntarily abates. Citations are served by first-class mail, personal service, or by being securely attached to the main entrance of the property (2.07.030(D)(3)). Failing to comply with a voluntary compliance agreement is a separate violation and triggers enforcement without further notice (2.07.030(C)). The County may also proceed directly in state court to secure compliance (2.07.030(D)(4)), and disputed citations go before the Compliance Hearings Officer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start a code complaint in Clackamas County?
What happens if the County finds insufficient evidence?
Can I resolve a reported violation without a citation?
What fees can a reported violation trigger?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clackamas County
Compare Clackamas County to another location·View the Oregon code violation reporting overview
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