Jensen

I. BACKGROUND

Rosemary is the record owner of the property at issue, which is 18 acres and located in an unincorporated area of Sonoma County. In November 2006, the County received an anonymous complaint that she and her son Randy were operating an unauthorized wrecking and salvage yard on the property. Plaintiffs denied operating a vehicle storage yard or junkyard on the property, but allowed an inspection by the County. During the scheduled inspection, the County discovered on the property over 200 vehicles, over 10 commercial trailers, three tow trucks, two forklifts bearing the name “Jensen Automotive,” various trailers, and miscellaneous junk and metal piles exceeding 1,000 square feet. In March 2007, the County’s permit and resource management department (PMRD) sent Rosemary a notice of violation, asserting the property could not be used for nonoperative vehicle storage or as a truck or equipment depot or junkyard, since the area was zoned “Diverse Agriculture.” The notice stated Rosemary was required to cease and remove the unlawful use, and failure to do so within 30 days would result in substantial penalties. Rosemary was given 12 days to appeal the determination of…