The Code Enforcement Manager establishes the procedures for appealing fees, fines and penalties in accordance with the North Las Vegas Municipal Code. Code Enforcement Officers may handle Level I Appeals at the direction of the Manager.

Level 1 Administrative Appeal

Level I Appeals are decided administratively by the Code Enforcement Manager or designee. In order to be considered, the appeal must meet all of the following criteria:

1. The appeal application must be completed in full, either electronically or in person, with no omissions. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. The application must include the following information:

• Full name of the appellant
• Current address of the appellant
• A reference (case number, property address or parcel number) to the fee, fine or penalty being appealed
• The grounds for appeal

2. The application must be submitted within 30 calendar days from the date the fee, fine or penalty was issued. Appeals received after 30 days will not be accepted. Appeals submitted for late fees issued for non-payment will only address the late fees, not the original fee, fine or penalty.

No late fees will accrue during appeal review. However, this does not absolve the property owner or occupant from removing the violation or otherwise bringing the property into compliance.

The Code Enforcement Office will determine whether the property owner or occupant is responsible, or liable, for the fee, fine or penalty imposed. If found not liable, the fee, fine or penalty will be voided as no violation existed. A finding of liable can result in various outcomes, including:

• The fee, fine or penalty paid in full
• A lesser amount accepted as payment in full
• The fee, fine or penalty waived

Appellants found liable must within 15 calendar days either:

• Pay the entire amount outstanding OR
• Arrange a payment schedule and pay the payment scheduling fee OR
• Request escalation to a Level II Appeal and pay the Level II Appeal fee.

If the appellant was offered a reduced fee, fine or penalty but decides to escalate to a Level II Appeal, the offer will be rescinded and the escalated appeal will be for the full amount.

Level II Appeal Hearing

Level II Appeals require the appellant to be present and are decided by an independent hearing officer. The hearing officer will be an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Nevada. In order to be eligible for a Level II Appeal, all of the following criteria must be met:

1. The appellant must have already been found liable in a Level I Appeal.

2. The Level II Appeal application must have been completed in full. The application is the same as the Level I Appeal however the appellant must also explain why they disagree with the Level I decision.

3. The appellant must agree to appear in person at the hearing.

4. The appellant must agree to be bound by the decision of the hearing officer.

Hearings are held once a month on the second Wednesday of the month.

The Hearing officer will be provided with a packet containing:

• An explanation of the violations at the property
• The Officer's case notes
• Photos taken of the violations
• The application for the appeal hearing

The appellant may bring with them any pertinent documentation to present to the hearing officer at the hearing. The hearing officer will be given the opportunity to review the materials before rendering a decision and may ask pertinent questions to clarify the facts of the case, the violation or the appeal.

The hearing officer will find the appellant to be either liable or not liable. If not liable, all fees, fines and penalties are voided. If liable, the hearing officer will determine the amount to be paid.

In order to be eligible for fees, fines or penalties to be waived, the property must have been brought into full compliance prior to the hearing.

Appellants found liable must within 15 calendar days either:

• Pay the entire amount outstanding OR
• Arrange a payment schedule and pay the payment scheduling fee 

Failure of the appellant to appear at the hearing will result in an automatic finding of liable, and all fees, fines and penalties will be due in full within 15 calendar days.

Level II Alternative Procedure

In the absence of a hearing officer, a Citizens Appeal Board will decide the appeal. The Board will be composed of at least three members of the community.

Board members will review the appeal and the case. They may ask questions. Then each member will vote to find the appellant either liable or not liable.

If found not liable, all fees, fines and penalties will be voided. If found liable, the Board will vote to determine the amount to be paid by the appellant.

Appellants found liable must within fifteen calendar days either:

• Pay the entire amount outstanding OR
• Arrange a payment schedule and pay the payment scheduling fee 

Failure of the appellant to appear at the hearing will result in an automatic finding of liable, and all fees, fines and penalties will be due in full within 15 calendar days.

Non-payment

If after having been found liable in either a Level I or Level II Appeal the property owner fails to make payment in full or fails to adhere to an agreed-upon payment plan, a lien for the outstanding amount owed and any applicable additional fees will be placed against the property.