Klamath County may not assess a civil penalty for a violation under a building inspection program unless the County provides an administrative process other than a judicial proceeding in a court of law; that affords the party an opportunity to challenge the civil penalty assessment before an individual, department or body that is other than the municipality’s building inspector or building official. The purpose of the Compliance Hearings Officer is to conduct impartial administrative hearings and render decisions in the Building Inspection program under ORS Chapter 455. The Compliance Hearings Officer works through the dispute resolution process between the Building Department and the public. The Compliance Hearings Officer review procedure allows for an impartial tribunal, the opportunity to present evidence, assurance against ex parte contacts, and the means to create a record of hearings providing finding of fact and conclusions of law.