PUD Code Enforcement

Public Utilities Department Code Enforcement Unit (PUD CEU) enforces sections of the San Diego Municipal Code (SDMC), state laws, rules, and regulations to help safeguard the City of San Diego’s (City’s) water supply. The goals of our enforcement efforts are to provide safe drinking water, protect public health, and comply with regulatory requirements.

Our primary approach is education. PUD CEU investigates violations and works with responsible parties to bring the property or condition into compliance. If the violation is not resolved through education and outreach, the PUD CEU issues Notices of Violations and Administrative Citations, and may seek injunctive relief or other civil and criminal legal action against the responsible parties, as appropriate, based on the severity of the violation and risk to public health and the public water system. The Public Utilities Department may also terminate water service.

Our code enforcement guidelines are available here: Code Enforcement Guidelines

If you have questions or would like more information, please contact the Public Utilities Department Code Enforcement Unit, at PUDCodeEnforcement@sandiego.gov or 619-533-4146.

What’s a Notice of Violation?

A Notice of Violation (NOV) is a document informing the responsible party that a violation exists, identifying the remedy, timeline for correction, potential fines and enforcement actions.

What is an Administrative Citation?

A monetary citation for violations of the Municipal Code, state laws, or regulations.  These citations carry escalating fines and require correction of the violation.

Why did I receive an Administrative Citation?

If a responsible party violates the Municipal Code, state law, or regulations, the party may be issued an administrative citation.  The fines, as indicated on the citation, are $100, $250, $500, $750, and $1,000. These fines can be cumulative and require correction of the violation.

How do I pay my citation?

You will receive an invoice with payment instructions approximately 10 calendar days after the date the administrative citation was issued. Please follow the instructions on the invoice to ensure proper and timely processing of your payment. Late payments incur a 10% penalty fee. In addition to payment of the fine, the responsible party must still correct the violation.

• The amount due is indicated on the front of the administrative citation.
• Do not pay the citation until you receive an invoice from the City.
• Failure to pay the administrative fine and/or failure to correct the violation may result in further enforcement actions.

What happens if I don’t correct the violation?

Failure to correct a violation by the date stated in the notice of violation or administrative citation may result in additional enforcement action. To learn more, please see our enforcement guidance document, available here: (add hyperlink to location and make sure the final signed PDF is on the main page for the code enforcement webpage).

How do I appeal a Citation?

You have the right to appeal administrative citations carrying fines within 10 calendar days from the date the administrative citation was served (i.e. mailed to you), per San Diego Municipal Code §12.0501. An appeal must be made in writing and directed to the Administrative Hearing Coordinator at the address on the front of the citation. If you would like to appeal via email, please email the code compliance officer who is listed on the front of your citation. An appeal will result in an administrative hearing and follow procedures set forth in Chapter 1, Article 2, Division 4 of the San Diego Municipal Code.

Failure to properly file a written appeal within 10 calendar days constitutes a waiver of a person’s right to an administrative hearing.  The administrative citation becomes final, the fine becomes due, and corrective measures must be taken.

An administrative citation marked as a warning does not incur a monetary fine, and is, therefore, not appealable. If the violation is corrected upon receipt of an administrative warning, no further enforcement action will be taken.

Who do I contact for more information?

If you have questions or would like more information, please contact the Public Utilities Department Code Enforcement Unit, at PUDCodeEnforcement@sandiego.gov or 619-533-4146.

To report any violations regarding the City’s potable water supply, please send an email to PUDCodeEnforcement@sandiego.gov or call 619-533-4146.

For questions or reports regarding Cross-Connection Control and Backflow Prevention, please contact the Cross-Connection Control Program at 858-292-6329 or send an email to crossconnect@sandiego.gov.

For any questions or reports regarding Recycled Water, contact the Public Utilities Department at 619-533-5358 or crossconnect@sandiego.gov.