Benton County, OR Code Violation Reporting: Response Times (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcement officers
- Planning, Building, Public Works, Health, Sheriff, Counsel
- Verbal-to-written deadline
- Written notice within 5 working days if uncorrected
- Notice-to-Comply timing
- At least 5 working days after written notice
- Major violations
- Can skip straight to citation (§ 31.020(2))
- Citation fine
- $25-$500 single, up to $1,000 continuing (§ 31.135)
Summary
Complaints against a property in unincorporated Benton County move through an escalating process under BCC § 31.020: verbal notice, then a written Notice of Violation, a Notice to Comply, a stop-work order or fine warning, and finally an infraction citation, with a written notice required within 5 working days if a verbal warning goes uncorrected.
(a)Verbal Notice of Violation. The enforcement officer or designee communicates the nature of the violation and the ordinance sections violated verbally to the property owner or the property owner's agent or contractor, in person or by telephone, and documents the communication in appropriate County records.(b)Written Notice of Violation. The enforcement officer or designee issues by mail or in person to the property owner and agent or contractor a Written Notice of Violation identifying the nature of the violation(s), the ordinance sections violated, the action(s) needed to correct the violation(s), and options for appeal. If a Verbal Notice of Violation was issued pursuant to subsection (a), a Written Notice of Violation shall be issued within 5 working days if the violation is not corrected within that time.
Full Breakdown
015. 020 lays out a five-level escalating response: (a) a verbal notice documented in county records; (b) a Written Notice of Violation, which must follow a verbal notice within 5 working days if the problem is not fixed; (c) a Written Notice to Comply, issued at least 5 working days after the written notice if the response is inadequate, spelling out a compliance schedule and the date a stop-work order or permit suspension will take effect; (d) a written stop-work order, permit suspension, or warning of legal action and fines; and (e) legal action or an infraction citation. 020(2) lets the county start at any level, including citation, without any verbal or written warning first. 020(3) requires waiving the resulting fines. 220(2).
Violations & Fines
Once a case reaches the citation stage, § 31.135(4) sets a fine of at least $25 and not more than $500 for a single occurrence, or up to $1,000 for a continuing occurrence, unless another chapter specifies a different amount. Section 31.125(3) separately lets the county pursue a $500 fine per violation and $1,000 for a continuing violation in addition to other remedies. No warrant of arrest can issue for an ordinance violation under § 31.215(3), and the county carries the burden of proving the violation by a preponderance of the evidence at hearing under § 31.220(3).
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast does Benton County respond after I report a code violation?
Can Benton County skip the warning notices and cite me right away?
What fine am I facing if it goes to court?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Benton County
Compare Benton County to another location·View the Oregon code violation reporting overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.