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Key Definitions
- Anonymous complaints
Complaints without a name or contact information.
Anonymous complaints are not investigated. - Confidential complaints
Complaints where the complainant provides contact information but asks that it not be shared, as allowed by state law. - Enforceable complaint
A complaint that falls within the County's Violation Priority Matrix and is eligible for investigation. - High-priority issues
Situations that involve alleged: - Life, health, or safety hazards, or
- Environmental damage
How Complaints Are Handled
Clackamas County does not investigate anonymous complaints.
When a valid, enforceable complaint is received:
- One complaint is enough if:
- The complainant provides contact information and does not request confidentiality, or
- The issue involves a potential life, health, safety, or environmental hazard, even if confidentiality is requested, or
- The issue is on a property with confirmed criminal activity and confidentiality is requested
- Two separate confidential complaints are required if:
- The issue does not involve a life, health, safety, or environmental hazard, and
- The complainant requests confidentiality
Determining Hazards and Environmental Damage
County staff determine whether a situation poses a life, health, safety, or environmental risk based on the codes being enforced.
If it's unclear, the Building Codes Administrator, in consultation with the appropriate division manager, makes the final determination.
Examples of High-Priority Issues
Life Hazards
- Construction or major remodels without permits
- Unsafe electrical, plumbing, or mechanical installations
- Fuel-based systems (natural gas, propane, oil) installed without permits
- Improper installation of wood-burning appliances
Health Hazards
- Sewage discharging onto the ground
- Overflowing dumpsters
- Accumulated garbage or animal waste
- Residential structures where building systems become inoperable.
- Dead animals
Safety Hazards
- Unsafe conversions of residential buildings to commercial use
- Unpermitted decks, pools, or excavations
- Dangerous or abandoned buildings
- Road visibility obstructions or blocked traffic signs
- Unsafe conversion of accessory buildings to living space.
Environmental Damage
- Fill or excavation in rivers, streams, wetlands, or protected waterways
- Unauthorized tree removal in conservation areas
- Illegal surface mining
- Dumping chemicals or pollutants
- Unsafe grading or excavation activities
