SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Vicki Duncan and Sheila Barker think Sacramento's code enforcers are using minor violations to make major money.

Duncan faced a fine in the hundreds of dollars for an overgrown rose bush.

Barker had a lien on her home after letting her lawn die to conserve water amid fears of a drought.

"This is about money. This isn't about enforcing codes, especially not fairly. This is a money generator," Barker said.

From last year to this year, the amount of money that city code enforcement collected in fines and fees jumped 30 percent, to more than $4.3 million -- roughly $12,000 a day.

Barker argued "it's a revenue-generating issue and not an enforcement issue."

But code enforcement officials said revenues jumped for two reasons: the City Council significantly raised fees and fines last year, and there are a record number of foreclosed and abandoned homes facing fines.

"There are a lot of vacant buildings with people breaking into them. We get calls from police at least seven times a week to secure those buildings," said Ron O'Connor, with Sacramento Code Enforcement.

According to Councilman Steve Cohn, code enforcement revenues account for 1 percent of the city's budget, and code violations are only issued after neighbors complain.

Councilman Robbie Waters also emphasized that, because of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's call to conserve water, the city is no longer citing anyone for a brown lawn.

Reported by: Mike TeSelle
Web produced by: Joe Rosemeyer