Section 17055 Of Chapter 5. Enforcement From California Health And Safety Code >> Division 13. >> Part 1. >> Chapter 5.
17055
. (a) Any person residing in employee housing subject to this
part may file an administrative complaint orally or in writing with
the enforcement agency. The enforcement agency shall deliver a
summary or copy of the complaint, by mail or in person, to the owner
or operator, at the time of filing the complaint.
(b) If a civil action under this part has not been filed by the
enforcement agency within 21 days after receipt of the complaint, the
complainant may bring a civil action for injunctive or declaratory
relief and appropriate statutory damages, civil penalties, actual
damages, penalties, and other remedies which arise from any violation
of this part, building standards published in the State Building
Standards Code relating to employee housing, regulations adopted
pursuant to this part, or conditions of the permit.
(c) In any civil action under this section, if the enforcement
agency certifies that the employee housing is in compliance with this
part, building standards published in the State Building Standards
Code relating to employee housing, regulations adopted pursuant to
this part, and conditions of the permit, no injunctive relief related
to mandatory repairs shall be granted with respect to any alleged
violation covered by the certificate.
(d) In any civil action brought by a private person or entity
under this section, the private person or entity may be granted
reasonable attorney's fees and costs, in addition to any other remedy
granted, if the private person or entity prevails, and if the trier
of fact finds that the violations involve retaliation or are so
extensive and of such a nature that the immediate health and safety
of residents or the public is endangered or has been endangered.
(e) If a complainant alleges, and the court finds, that residents
of the employee housing were in imminent peril as a result of serious
violations of this part, the complainant may immediately proceed
with the filing of a civil action without regard to the 21-day
waiting period specified in subdivision (b).