Code Enforcement

Mission Statement:

The Code Enforcement Division's primary goal is to work towards improving the quality of life for all residents of Umatilla County by protecting the landscape. We seek to provide valuable service to all citizens while faithfully supporting the ordinances that govern land use for our county. We strive to promote voluntary compliance on code violations, and focus on providing education and opportunities to property owners for a satisfactory and lasting result.

ATTENTION CIVIC GROUPS, CHURCH GROUPS, YOUTH GROUPS, SPORTS TEAMS, VOLUNTEER GROUPS!!

If you are part of a group looking for something to do that is fun, environmentally beneficial and a great service to your community that you live in, have we got something for you! For more information on how you and your group can make a difference in Umatilla County, click here.

General Information

Code Enforcement is responsible for enforcing the Solid Waste and Development Code of Ordinances for Umatilla County. Our jurisdiction covers all unincorporated areas of Umatilla County and some urban growth areas. Please note: we do not respond to complaints for properties within any city limits.

Common types of violations handled by Code Enforcement include, but are not limited to:

Accumulation of Solid Waste
Abandoned vehicles on private property
Land Use / Zoning Permits
Illegal placement of Manufactured Homes
Unsightly conditions
Unlicensed and/or Inoperable Vehicle Storage
Water on Roadway
Operation of non permitted businesses

Examples of Solid Waste: refuse, garbage, scrap metal/wood, rubble, tires, automotive parts, animal waste, construction/demolition materials, household appliances, hazardous or industrial waste, junk vehicles, dilapidated structures

The VOLUNTEER CLEAN UP PROGRAM is also available for groups to participate in cleaning up areas in Umatilla County. Learn more and take advantage of this opportunity!

Filing a Complaint

In Person	By Phone	In Writing	By Email
Visit the Code Enforcement Office in the CountyCourthouse, 216 SE 4th ST, Pendleton, Oregon.	Call the Code Enforcement Offices at (541) 278-6300; you may leave a message after hours.	Print out the Complaint Form and mail it to the Code Enforcement Office, 216 SE 4th ST, Pendleton, OR 97862	Send an email to ceo@umatillacounty.net describing the complaint in detail.

Processing Complaints

Complaint Form, complete the Complaint Form with enough detail to allow a proper investigation. Complaints are held confidential.

Complaints are normally handled in the order in which they are received, but some complaints may be handled more urgently if timeliness is an important issue to the safety of the public or environment. Please provide as much information as possible in the complaint; describe the exact nature of the violation, the duration of the violation, and complete directions to the site. If the Officer determines that a Code Violation does exist, a 30 day Warning will be issued to the property owner. Our department does make every effort to encourage voluntary compliance with the property owner. Time extensions may be granted if the property owner is demonstrating attempts to bring their property into compliance. If there is no attempt at compliance or no progress in an agreed upon amount of time, the Officer will then issue a Citation to the property owner to appear in Circuit Court.