IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
HAROLD LEONARD, ) ) Appellant, ) ) C.A. No. N20A-07-004 ALR v. ) ) NEW CASTLE COUNTY, ) NEW CASTLE COUNTY BOARD ) OF LICENSE, INSPECTION AND ) REVIEW, SHANE MILLER, in his ) Official Capacity as Code ) Enforcement Officer, and JACK ) GAHAN, in his Official Capacity as ) Chief Filed Supervisor, ) ) Appellees. )
Submitted: March 24, 2021 Decided: April 5, 2021
Upon Writ of Certiorari from the New Castle County Board of License, Inspection and Review AFFIRMED
MEMORANDUM OPINION
James H. Edwards, Esquire, Hockessin, Delaware, Attorney for Appellant.
Karen V. Sullivan, Esquire, New Castle County Office of Law, New Castle, Delaware, Attorney for Appellees.
Rocanelli, J. This matter involves a citation issued by New Castle County Department of
Land Use, Division of Code Enforcement to a homeowner for storage of inoperable
vehicles on his property in violation of the New Castle County Property Maintenance
Code.1 Harold Leonard, the owner of the property at issue, has been cited by New
Castle County many times over the past several years. The record reflects that
neighbors have made complaints about the condition of the property at issue. In
addition to the vehicle which is the subject of New Castle County citations for the
storage of inoperable vehicles, the record also includes photographs of the unkempt
condition of the property, including vehicles which have been enveloped by weeds
and vehicle tires with moss growing on them.
The specific citation at issue here involves a Chevrolet sedan with
VIN#31847J181729 (“Vehicle”). On May 24, 2019, a New Castle County Code
Enforcement Officer (“NCC Enforcement Officer”) issued ticket number 2031353
1 Section 7.01.001 of the New Castle County Code adopts the International Property Maintenance Code, 2018 edition, published by the International Code Council, Inc. as the New Castle County Property Maintenance Code. Section 7.01.002 of the New Castle County Code makes certain modifications to the International Property Maintenance Code, 2018 edition, and refers to the sections as “Section PM ___.” (“Section PM ___” format will be used as the form of citation for the cited provisions of the Property Maintenance Code.) The Property Maintenance Code specifies minimum requirements and standards for maintaining premises. (International Property Maintenance Code 2018 § 101.2 (Scope).)
1 (“Ticket”) to Leonard charging a violation of Section PM 302.8.3 of the New Castle
County Property Maintenance Code for the storage of an inoperable or unregistered
vehicle.2 The Ticket noted the Vehicle was parked in the driveway and did not have
any interior seating (except driver’s seat) or ignition switch and that it was missing
several engine parts. The NCC Enforcement Officer concluded these missing parts
rendered the vehicle inoperable.
Leonard filed a timely appeal of the Ticket to the New Castle County
Department of Land Use. After an administrative hearing, the hearing officer
concluded that the violation existed at the time the Ticket was issued. Leonard
appealed the decision of the administrative hearing officer to the New Castle County
Board of License, Inspection and Review (“LIR Board”).
Leonard was represented by counsel at the March 10, 2020 LIR Board
hearing. The LIR Board considered the testimony of Leonard and the NCC
Enforcement Officer and considered the documentary evidence submitted by
Leonard and New Castle County. The LIR Board issued a decision on June 24, 2020
2 The New Castle County Department of Land Use, Division of Code Enforcement (“Code Enforcement”) is charged with enforcing the Property Maintenance Code pursuant to the processes specified in the Code. When a NCC Enforcement Officer “determines that there has been a violation of this Chapter or has reasonable grounds to believe that a violation has occurred, notice shall be given to the owner or persons responsible for the property.” (Section PM 106.3.1.1; see also Section PM 106.3.1.2.1.) 2 (“LIR Decision”) which concluded that the Ticket for an inoperable vehicle was
properly issued.
Leonard has filed a petition for writ of certiorari from the LIR Decision.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
“A petition for writ of certiorari ‘is simply a form that calls up, for review,
the record from the lower court or tribunal.’”3 The purpose of a writ of certiorari is
to “permit the higher court to review the conduct of a lower tribunal record.”4 “The
standard for reviewing a petition for writ of certiorari is ‘strictly limited.’”5 This
Court may not weigh evidence or review the lower tribunal’s factual findings.6
Moreover, this Court may not “consider the case on its merits.”7
The scope of review is whether the lower tribunal “(1) committed errors of
law, (2) exceeded its jurisdiction, or (3) proceeded irregularly.”8 As explained by
the Delaware Supreme Court, a reviewing court needs to determine whether relief
from the judgment would be appropriate on any of the three grounds.9 A decision
3 Millsboro Fire Co. v. State Fire Prevention Comm’n, 2014 WL 5396158, at *1 (Del. Super. Oct. 21, 2014) (quoting Maddrey v. Just. of Peace Ct. 13, 956 A.2d 1204, 1213 (Del. 2008)). 4 Id. (quoting Maddrey, 956 A.2d at 1213). 5 Black v. New Castle Cty. Bd. of License, 117 A.3d 1027, 1030 (Del. 2015) (citing Matter of Butler, 609 A.2d 1080, 1081 (Del. 1992)). 6 Black, 117 A.3d at 1031. 7 Id. (quoting Christiana Town Ctr., LLC v. New Castle Cnty., 2004 WL 2921830, at *2 (Del. Dec. 16, 2004) (TABLE)). 8 Maddrey, 956 A.2d at 1213. 9 See id. 3 by a lower tribunal “will be reversed for an error of law . . . when the record
affirmatively shows that the lower tribunal has ‘proceeded illegally or manifestly
contrary to law.’”10 “Reversal on jurisdictional grounds is appropriate ‘only if the
record fails to show that the matter was within the lower tribunal’s personal and
subject matter jurisdiction.’”11 Finally, “[r]eversal for irregularities of proceedings
occurs ‘if the lower tribunal failed to create an adequate record for review.’”12
DISCUSSION
Leonard focuses his arguments on contentions of legal error as well as a claim
of procedural irregularity with respect to application of the standard of review. First,
Leonard contends that consideration by the LIR Board of photographs amounted to
legal error. Specifically, Leonard contends the search warrant was unconstitutional
and therefore photographs taken when the warrant was executed should not have
been considered. This Court disagrees.
On May 2, 2019, a NCC Enforcement Officer observed what appeared to be
debris and inoperable vehicles on Leonard’s property and applied for a search
warrant to obtain evidence of the violations. On May 23, 2019, a Magistrate Judge
for the Justice of the Peace Court No. 11 issued a search warrant (the “Search
Warrant”) for the Property, to include “the exterior property area and the interior of
10 Id. at 1214 (quoting Christiana Town Ctr., LLC, 2004 WL 2921830, at *2). 11 Id. (quoting Christiana Town Ctr., LLC, 2004 WL 2921830, at *2). 12 Id. (quoting Christiana Town Ctr., LLC, 2004 WL 2921830, at *2). 4 vehicles.” A copy of the entire application and Search Warrant, including the
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IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
HAROLD LEONARD, ) ) Appellant, ) ) C.A. No. N20A-07-004 ALR v. ) ) NEW CASTLE COUNTY, ) NEW CASTLE COUNTY BOARD ) OF LICENSE, INSPECTION AND ) REVIEW, SHANE MILLER, in his ) Official Capacity as Code ) Enforcement Officer, and JACK ) GAHAN, in his Official Capacity as ) Chief Filed Supervisor, ) ) Appellees. )
Submitted: March 24, 2021 Decided: April 5, 2021
Upon Writ of Certiorari from the New Castle County Board of License, Inspection and Review AFFIRMED
MEMORANDUM OPINION
James H. Edwards, Esquire, Hockessin, Delaware, Attorney for Appellant.
Karen V. Sullivan, Esquire, New Castle County Office of Law, New Castle, Delaware, Attorney for Appellees.
Rocanelli, J. This matter involves a citation issued by New Castle County Department of
Land Use, Division of Code Enforcement to a homeowner for storage of inoperable
vehicles on his property in violation of the New Castle County Property Maintenance
Code.1 Harold Leonard, the owner of the property at issue, has been cited by New
Castle County many times over the past several years. The record reflects that
neighbors have made complaints about the condition of the property at issue. In
addition to the vehicle which is the subject of New Castle County citations for the
storage of inoperable vehicles, the record also includes photographs of the unkempt
condition of the property, including vehicles which have been enveloped by weeds
and vehicle tires with moss growing on them.
The specific citation at issue here involves a Chevrolet sedan with
VIN#31847J181729 (“Vehicle”). On May 24, 2019, a New Castle County Code
Enforcement Officer (“NCC Enforcement Officer”) issued ticket number 2031353
1 Section 7.01.001 of the New Castle County Code adopts the International Property Maintenance Code, 2018 edition, published by the International Code Council, Inc. as the New Castle County Property Maintenance Code. Section 7.01.002 of the New Castle County Code makes certain modifications to the International Property Maintenance Code, 2018 edition, and refers to the sections as “Section PM ___.” (“Section PM ___” format will be used as the form of citation for the cited provisions of the Property Maintenance Code.) The Property Maintenance Code specifies minimum requirements and standards for maintaining premises. (International Property Maintenance Code 2018 § 101.2 (Scope).)
1 (“Ticket”) to Leonard charging a violation of Section PM 302.8.3 of the New Castle
County Property Maintenance Code for the storage of an inoperable or unregistered
vehicle.2 The Ticket noted the Vehicle was parked in the driveway and did not have
any interior seating (except driver’s seat) or ignition switch and that it was missing
several engine parts. The NCC Enforcement Officer concluded these missing parts
rendered the vehicle inoperable.
Leonard filed a timely appeal of the Ticket to the New Castle County
Department of Land Use. After an administrative hearing, the hearing officer
concluded that the violation existed at the time the Ticket was issued. Leonard
appealed the decision of the administrative hearing officer to the New Castle County
Board of License, Inspection and Review (“LIR Board”).
Leonard was represented by counsel at the March 10, 2020 LIR Board
hearing. The LIR Board considered the testimony of Leonard and the NCC
Enforcement Officer and considered the documentary evidence submitted by
Leonard and New Castle County. The LIR Board issued a decision on June 24, 2020
2 The New Castle County Department of Land Use, Division of Code Enforcement (“Code Enforcement”) is charged with enforcing the Property Maintenance Code pursuant to the processes specified in the Code. When a NCC Enforcement Officer “determines that there has been a violation of this Chapter or has reasonable grounds to believe that a violation has occurred, notice shall be given to the owner or persons responsible for the property.” (Section PM 106.3.1.1; see also Section PM 106.3.1.2.1.) 2 (“LIR Decision”) which concluded that the Ticket for an inoperable vehicle was
properly issued.
Leonard has filed a petition for writ of certiorari from the LIR Decision.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
“A petition for writ of certiorari ‘is simply a form that calls up, for review,
the record from the lower court or tribunal.’”3 The purpose of a writ of certiorari is
to “permit the higher court to review the conduct of a lower tribunal record.”4 “The
standard for reviewing a petition for writ of certiorari is ‘strictly limited.’”5 This
Court may not weigh evidence or review the lower tribunal’s factual findings.6
Moreover, this Court may not “consider the case on its merits.”7
The scope of review is whether the lower tribunal “(1) committed errors of
law, (2) exceeded its jurisdiction, or (3) proceeded irregularly.”8 As explained by
the Delaware Supreme Court, a reviewing court needs to determine whether relief
from the judgment would be appropriate on any of the three grounds.9 A decision
3 Millsboro Fire Co. v. State Fire Prevention Comm’n, 2014 WL 5396158, at *1 (Del. Super. Oct. 21, 2014) (quoting Maddrey v. Just. of Peace Ct. 13, 956 A.2d 1204, 1213 (Del. 2008)). 4 Id. (quoting Maddrey, 956 A.2d at 1213). 5 Black v. New Castle Cty. Bd. of License, 117 A.3d 1027, 1030 (Del. 2015) (citing Matter of Butler, 609 A.2d 1080, 1081 (Del. 1992)). 6 Black, 117 A.3d at 1031. 7 Id. (quoting Christiana Town Ctr., LLC v. New Castle Cnty., 2004 WL 2921830, at *2 (Del. Dec. 16, 2004) (TABLE)). 8 Maddrey, 956 A.2d at 1213. 9 See id. 3 by a lower tribunal “will be reversed for an error of law . . . when the record
affirmatively shows that the lower tribunal has ‘proceeded illegally or manifestly
contrary to law.’”10 “Reversal on jurisdictional grounds is appropriate ‘only if the
record fails to show that the matter was within the lower tribunal’s personal and
subject matter jurisdiction.’”11 Finally, “[r]eversal for irregularities of proceedings
occurs ‘if the lower tribunal failed to create an adequate record for review.’”12
DISCUSSION
Leonard focuses his arguments on contentions of legal error as well as a claim
of procedural irregularity with respect to application of the standard of review. First,
Leonard contends that consideration by the LIR Board of photographs amounted to
legal error. Specifically, Leonard contends the search warrant was unconstitutional
and therefore photographs taken when the warrant was executed should not have
been considered. This Court disagrees.
On May 2, 2019, a NCC Enforcement Officer observed what appeared to be
debris and inoperable vehicles on Leonard’s property and applied for a search
warrant to obtain evidence of the violations. On May 23, 2019, a Magistrate Judge
for the Justice of the Peace Court No. 11 issued a search warrant (the “Search
Warrant”) for the Property, to include “the exterior property area and the interior of
10 Id. at 1214 (quoting Christiana Town Ctr., LLC, 2004 WL 2921830, at *2). 11 Id. (quoting Christiana Town Ctr., LLC, 2004 WL 2921830, at *2). 12 Id. (quoting Christiana Town Ctr., LLC, 2004 WL 2921830, at *2). 4 vehicles.” A copy of the entire application and Search Warrant, including the
affidavit of probable cause and the warrant issued are included in the record.
Leonard’s challenge to the constitutionality of the search warrant is beyond the
limited scope of certiorari review. Nevertheless, this Court is satisfied with the
finding of probable cause, scope of the search warrant issued, and manner in which
the warrant was executed.
Second, Leonard argues legal error by the LIR Board by failing to properly
apply the definition of “inoperable motor vehicle.” This Court disagrees. The LIR
Board properly considered and correctly applied the definition of inoperable motor
vehicle.13 Specifically, the LIR Board noted that the vehicle “lacked seats, with the
exception of the driver’s seat; there was no dashboard; [] no ignition switch” and
there was “no battery, air filter, or alternator, making the [v]ehicle inoperable.”14
Accordingly, the LIR Board made findings supported by the record evidence that
the vehicle was inoperable due to its “state of disrepair.”15 This Court is satisfied
13 The Property Maintenance Code makes it “unlawful to park, store, or permit to be parked or stored, other than in a fully enclosed permanent building, any vehicle that is inoperable or incapable of being legally operated on any public roadway.” (Section PM 302.8.3.) “Inoperable motor vehicle” is defined as “[a] vehicle that cannot be driven upon the public streets, including but not limited to being unlicensed, wrecked, abandoned, in a state of disrepair, or incapable of being moved under its own power.” (International Property Maintenance Code 2018 § 202 (Definitions).) 14 New Castle Cnty. Bd. of License Inspection & Review Decision, No. 2019-0446, at 8–9 (June 24, 2020). 15 Id. at 11. 5 that the LIR Board did not commit legal error in its ruling that the vehicle was
inoperable.
Leonard’s third and final argument is that the LIR Board committed legal error
and/or proceeded irregularly by applying the wrong standard of review. While the
LIR Board stated that the issuance of the Ticket was not arbitrary or capricious, the
LIR Board applied the correct standard of review and found that the issuance of the
Ticket for an inoperable vehicle was not contrary to law. Accordingly, the correct
standard of review was applied by the LIR Board.
CONCLUSION
Leonard’s petition is properly before this Court. The judgment below is final,
and there is no other available basis for review. Consideration of the matter is within
the scope of the personal and subject matter jurisdiction of the LIR Board. An
adequate record has been presented for this Court to conduct a review of the LIR
Decision. The LIR Board properly considered the record evidence and applied the
correct law. The LIR Board did not commit legal error. The LIR Board properly
considered the record evidence, applied the applicable law, and used the correct
standard of review.
6 NOW, THEREFORE, this 5th day of April 2021, the June 24, 2020
Decision of the New Castle County Board of License, Inspection and Review is
hereby AFFIRMED.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Andrea L. Rocanelli The Honorable Andrea L. Rocanelli