(a) The local agency may issue an administrative complaint to any person who violates any requirement adopted or ordered by a local agency pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 54739. The administrative complaint shall allege the act or failure to act that constitutes the violation of the local agency’s requirements, the provisions of law authorizing civil liability to be imposed, and the proposed civil penalty.
(b) The administrative complaint shall be served by personal delivery or certified mail on the person subject to the local agency’s discharge requirements, and shall inform the person served that a hearing shall be conducted within 60 days after the person has been served. The hearing shall be before a hearing officer designated by the governing board of the local agency. The person who has been issued an administrative complaint may waive the right to a hearing, in which case the local agency shall not conduct a hearing. A person dissatisfied with the decision of the hearing officer may appeal to the governing board of the local agency within 30 days of notice of the hearing officer’s decision.
(c) If after the hearing, or appeal, if any, it is found that the person has violated reporting or discharge requirements, the hearing officer or board may assess a civil penalty against that person. In determining the amount of the civil penalty, the hearing officer or board may take into consideration all relevant circumstances, including, but not limited to, the extent of harm caused by the violation, the economic benefit derived through any noncompliance, the nature and persistence of the violation, the length of time over which the violation occurs and corrective action, if any, attempted or taken by the discharger.
(d) Civil penalties may be imposed by the local agency as follows:
(1) In an amount which shall not exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000) for each day for failing or refusing to furnish technical or monitoring reports.
(2) In an amount which shall not exceed three thousand dollars ($3,000) for each day for failing or refusing to timely comply with any compliance schedule established by the local agency.
(3) In an amount which shall not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) per violation for each day for discharges in violation of any waste discharge limitation, permit condition, or requirement issued, reissued, or adopted by the local agency.
(4) In an amount which does not exceed ten dollars ($10) per gallon for discharges in violation of any suspension, cease and desist order or other orders, or prohibition issued, reissued, or adopted by a local agency.
(5) The amount of any civil penalties imposed under this section which have remained delinquent for a period of 60 days shall constitute a lien against the real property of the discharger from which the discharge originated resulting in the imposition of the civil penalty. The lien provided herein shall have no force and effect until recorded with the county recorder and when recorded shall have the force and effect and priority of a judgment lien and continue for 10 years from the time of recording unless sooner released, and shall be renewable in accordance with the provisions of Sections 683.110 to 683.220, inclusive, of the Code of Civil Procedure.
(e) All moneys collected under this section shall be deposited in a special account of the local agency and shall be made available for the monitoring, treatment, and control of discharges into the local agency’s sanitation or sewer system or for other mitigation measures.
(f) Unless appealed, orders setting administrative civil penalties shall become effective and final upon issuance thereof, and payment shall be made within 30 days. Copies of these orders shall be served by personal service or by registered mail upon the party served with the administrative complaint and upon other persons who appeared at the hearing and requested a copy.
(g) The local agency may, at its option, elect to petition the superior court to confirm any order establishing civil penalties and enter judgment in conformity therewith in accordance with the provisions of Sections 1285 to 1287.6, inclusive, of the Code of Civil Procedure.
(h) No penalties shall be recoverable under this section for any violation for which civil liability is recovered under Section 54740.
(Amended by Stats. 1992, Ch. 427, Sec. 67. Effective January 1, 1993.)