(a) Any person who is convicted pursuant to Section 17061 for a second or subsequent time within a five-year period or is convicted pursuant to subdivision (d) for a first or subsequent time within a five-year period after issuance of an injunction enforcing this chapter shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed six thousand dollars ($6,000) or by imprisonment not exceeding six months, or both the fine and imprisonment for each violation or day of a continuing violation.
(b) Any person found in contempt of a court order or injunction pursuant to Section 17060 within a five-year period from its issuance may be subject to a judgment for reasonable enforcement costs, including investigative costs, court costs, and attorney’s fees, and civil penalties not to exceed six thousand dollars ($6,000) or by imprisonment not exceeding six months, or both the civil penalty and imprisonment, for each violation or day of a continuing violation.
(c) (1) If an injunction enforcing this chapter is issued within a five-year period after a conviction pursuant to subdivision (a), a finding of contempt pursuant to subdivision (b), or a prior injunction enforcing this chapter, the injunction shall provide for a civil penalty not to exceed six thousand dollars ($6,000) for each violation or day of a continuing violation and all costs of enforcement, including, but not limited to, investigative costs, inspection costs, enforcement costs, attorney’s fees or costs, and all other costs of prosecution.
(2) The court may also order the owner not to claim any deduction with respect to state taxes for interest, taxes, expenses, depreciation, or amortization paid or incurred, with respect to the cited structure or structures, and related real property, in the taxable year of the initial order or notice. Within 90 days after issuing the order, the court shall mail to the Franchise Tax Board a written notice of its order prohibiting the owner from claiming deductions with respect to the cited structure or structures, and related real property, in lieu of the processing of a violation by the enforcement agency in accordance with Sections 17274 and 24436.5 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
(3) The Franchise Tax Board shall examine the tax return of the owner of the cited structure or structures, and related real property, for the taxable year of the initial order or notice issued pursuant to paragraph (2). Notwithstanding Sections 19282 and 26451 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, the Franchise Tax Board shall notify the issuing court regarding the owner’s compliance with the court order prohibiting the claiming of deductions with respect to the cited structure or structures, and related real property.
(d) Any person found in contempt of a court order or injunction pursuant to Section 17060, or who is convicted pursuant to Section 17061, for a second or subsequent time within a five-year period after a prior finding of contempt, a prior conviction, or the prior issuance of an injunction relating to the enforcement of this chapter, where there are violations that are determined by the trier of fact to be so extensive and of such a nature that the immediate health and safety of residents or the public is endangered and where the extent and nature of the violations are due to the defendant’s habitual neglect of customary maintenance and display a flagrant lack of concern for the health and safety of residents or the public, may be subject to a judgment for reasonable enforcement costs, including investigative costs, court costs, and attorney’s fees, and punishable by a fine not exceeding six thousand dollars ($6,000) and by imprisonment for not less than six months, but not exceeding one year, for each violation or day of a continuing violation, if the trier of fact finds at least three serious violations of the following categories of violations are involved:
(1) Termination, extended interruption, or serious defects of gas, water, or electric utility systems, if the interruption or termination is not caused by the tenant’s failure to pay gas, water, or electric bills.
(2) Serious defects or lack of adequate space and water heating.
(3) Serious rodent, vermin, or insect infestation.
(4) Severe deterioration, rendering significant portions of the structure unsafe or unsanitary.
(5) Inadequate numbers of garbage receptacles or service.
(6) Unsanitary conditions affecting a significant portion of the structure as a result of faulty plumbing or sewage disposal.
(e) The remedies provided in subdivisions (a) to (d), inclusive, for second or subsequent violations shall apply without regard to whether the violations involved the same or different properties, or the same or different locations within a property, owned or operated by the person committing the violation.
(Amended by Stats. 1992, Ch. 1298, Sec. 44. Effective January 1, 1993.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018