(a) A property owner who fails to comply with an order of the department or the county health officer is subject to a civil penalty of up to twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000). In determining the amount of a civil penalty to be imposed, the court shall consider all relevant circumstances, including, but not limited to, the economic assets of the property owner and whether the property owner has acted in good faith.

(b) If the property owner fails to secure and post the site, the department or the county health officer shall secure and post the site pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 78725 within 30 days of the expiration of the five-day period and shall seek recovery of the costs of that securing and posting from the property owner. If the site is an abandoned site, as defined in Section 78505, if the site cannot be traced to a specific owner, or if the owner is the subject of an order for relief in bankruptcy, the department or the county health officer shall secure and post the site, using any source of funds, pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 78725.

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Terms Used In California Health and Safety Code 78735

  • Assets: (1) The property comprising the estate of a deceased person, or (2) the property in a trust account.
  • Bankruptcy: Refers to statutes and judicial proceedings involving persons or businesses that cannot pay their debts and seek the assistance of the court in getting a fresh start. Under the protection of the bankruptcy court, debtors may discharge their debts, perhaps by paying a portion of each debt. Bankruptcy judges preside over these proceedings.
  • County: includes city and county. See California Health and Safety Code 14
  • department: means State Department of Health Services. See California Health and Safety Code 20

(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 257, Sec. 2. (AB 2293) Effective January 1, 2023. Operative January 1, 2024, pursuant to Sec. 4 of Stats. 2022, Ch. 257.)