PIRU : Couple Cited by Building Inspectors

Ventura County building inspectors have cited a Piru couple for more than 15 building and safety violations relating to a series of illegal dwellings in their back yard.

Officials have been trying since 1988 to force Daniel and Aurora Sanchez to dismantle a chicken coop and remove five trailers that have been converted into dwelling units behind their home at 4075 Market St., assistant county counsel Robin McGrew said.

McGrew said she is preparing to file a series of misdemeanor charges against the couple for their repeated refusal to comply with county building and safety regulations.

Although inspectors are still uncertain whether the couple receiverent from their illegal tenants, conditions uncovered during a January inspection led them to believe that the structures are definitely being used as residences.

Other building and safety code violations uncovered during the inspection included a shower and toilet that had been installed in the chicken coop and a number of illegal electrical connections between the home, its garage and several of the trailers, McGrew said.

This is the second time in a week that building and safety officials have singled out a Piru homeowner for prosecution.

Last week, county officials cut the power to the home of longtime Piru resident Maria Lopez, claiming that her home was unsafe for the 15 to 20 migrant workers and family members living in trailers and sheds in her back yard.

Lopez faces at least 20 misdemeanor building and safety code violations, assistant county counsel Robert Orellana said.

Lopez and the Sanchez couple are both scheduled to be in court during the third week of March, McGrew said.