Lippman

*209 *754 Plaintiff Thomas Lippman sought a writ of mandate ( Code Civ. Proc., § 1085 ) 1 to compel defendant City of Oakland (City) to have an appeals board or the governing body of the City review his citations for blight and substandard living conditions on his rental property. Lippman claimed the City violated the California Building Code (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 24, § 1.8.8) (Building Code) by having a single hearing officer, who had been appointed by the very entity that cited him, hear his claims. The trial court determined the City's administrative appeals process complied with the Building Code. We disagree and will reverse.

I. BACKGROUND

Lippman owns rental property in the City. In 2009 and 2010, the City's Building Services Department (Building Services) cited Lippman for blight and substandard living conditions on the property. He disputed the citations and eventually sought administrative review.

In April and June 2012, a hearing officer appointed by Building Services heard Lippman's appeals. The hearing officer received testimony from Lippman and various City representatives. After receiving oral testimony and reviewing the relevant notices and invoices, the hearing…