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The Calabasas City Council voted unanimously on June 12 to rescind a series of local building code amendments that regulate construction and repairs to all properties in the city.

The move couldn’t come soon enough for some council members, who thought the regulations should never have been adopted in the first place.

The issue began in 2009 after the city received complaints about possible code violations relating to sewer systems. In response, the City Council approved a series of modifications to the city’s plumbing and septic system laws and allowed city officials to disconnect utilities if code violations were observed.

Then-Mayor Barry Groveman and Councilmembers Dennis Washburn and Jonathon Wolfson endorsed the new rules, saying they would ensure sewer system conformity and protect residents.

But Councilmembers James Bozajian and Mary Sue Maurer and other critics, mostly from rural communities, opposed the strict enforcement—and worried that the city could turn off private property utilities without suitable oversight.

Opponents also believed the regulations unfairly targeted property owners living in rural areas and in older homes.

And residents were concerned that the amended codes would set the stage for construction of a municipal sewer line, which could trigger unwanted development in their communities.

While the city says it tried to dispel undue concerns about the regulations, critics remained miffed. They saw the regulations as a burden on certain residents and a punishment against them.

The septic code changes were overturned in 2012.

Bozajian said the council ignored the public’s input regarding the sewer changes—and also ignored public sentiment when it adopted amendments in 2011 to the city’s building and safety ordinance.

Regarding the building ordinance changes, some residents feared they might be penalized for the work on their property done by a previous owner.

The building and safety amendments were overturned last week.

“This has a long and sordid history, and I’m glad the council is rescinding the rules,” Bozajian said. “These should never have been enacted.”

Calabasas follows plumbing, mechanical and structural codes issued by the state and will continue to enforce the codes “uniformly” throughout the city, said Tony Coroalles, city manager.

Bozajian suggested that any request to adopt local regulations in the future should require a full discussion from the council.

“I hope any future amendment request is fully justified, that it’s absolutely necessary to make the city function,” Bozajian said.

Calabasas will not shy away from its responsibility to enforce all local and state building codes, Coroalles said.