The Office of the County Hearing Officer
The Office of the County Hearing Officer is located within the Office of the County Executive. It oversees a centralized administrative hearing process that provides independent review of County public nuisance and code violation determinations and County-imposed fines and penalties. The Office provides independent hearing officers appointed to preside over hearings as authorized by County Ordinance Code Division A38.
Administrative hearings may be requested for actions taken by the County under the following Ordinances:
- Administrative Violations, Fines, Penalties (Ordinance Code Division A37)
- Bingo (Ordinance Code Division B3)
- Dances (Ordinance Code Division B3)
- Department of Environmental Health-Issued Permits (Ordinance Code Division B11)
- Entertainment Events and Circuses (Ordinance Code Division B3)
- Enforcement of Public Health Orders (Urgency Order No. NS-9.291)
- Expanded Polystyrene Containers (Ordinance Code Division B11)
- Fireworks (Ordinance Code Division A33)
- Fortunetelling (Ordinance Code Division B9)
- Impoundment of Animals (Ordinance Code Division B31)
- Massage Parlor Permits (Ordinance Code Division B22)
- On-site Wastewater Treatment Systems (Ordinance Code Division B11)
- Orders to Abate Graffiti (Ordinance Code Division B27)
- Pet Shops or Kennels (Ordinance Code Division B31)
- Potentially Dangerous/Vicious Dog Determinations (Ordinance Code Division B31)
- Seizure of Property for Tax Sale (Ordinance Code Division A15)
- Social Host Responsibility (Ordinance Code Division B13)
- Special Events on County Roads (Ordinance Code Division B3)
- Temporary Off-Road Motor Vehicle Recreational Use (Ordinance Code Division B12)
- Tobacco Retail Permits (Ordinance Code Division B11)
Requesting a Hearing
To request a hearing, please complete the Hearing Officer Request Form and submit it, including payment for the $250.00 filing fee per Santa Clara County Municipal Code Sec. A37-10(d), and any related attachments, either:
a. via email to: hearing.officer@ceo.sccgov.org
OR
b. by U.S. Mail, express/overnight mail, or by personal delivery to:
Office of the Clerk of the Board
70 West Hedding Street, East Wing, 10th Floor
San Jose, CA 95110
Scheduling a Hearing
Upon receipt of your hearing request, a member of staff within the Office of the Clerk of the Board will contact you to schedule the hearing. Staff may assist you with scheduling and may provide general, nonspecific information about the hearing process, but may not provide advice or act as an advocate for any party involved.
The Hearing
At your hearing, you may present any evidence, including documentary evidence, photographic evidence, and witness testimony, to the hearing officer. The County department involved in the hearing may also present evidence supporting the adverse action that is the subject of the hearing. The hearing officer will assess all relevant submissions and will provide a written decision with the hearing officer’s findings.
After the Hearing
Where the hearing officer has found in favor of the County department that has taken the adverse action, you may choose to appeal the hearing officer’s decision in the Superior Court. Any inquiries relating to procedures and requirements for filing an appeal should be made to the Superior Court.