Compliance & Enforcement

TRPA’s work emphasizes compliance first – working to ensure that rules are understood and followed before violations occur. Enforcement is used when compliance cannot be achieved voluntarily or when environmental harm must be addressed.

Compliance refers to the systems and processes that help ensure TRPA’s rules are followed. These activities are ongoing and preventative in nature. Examples include:

• Lake clarity – Requiring water quality Best Management Practices (BMPs) to be installed and certified with every permit application.
• Aquatic invasive species – Inspecting all motorized watercraft and deploying non-motorized inspectors at high-use shoreline areas.
• Tree removal – Encouraging defensible space while requiring TRPA forester review and approval for removal of larger trees and trees that protect scenic quality, especially in the shoreline.
• Construction – Regularly inspecting construction sites and holding securities prior to final approval to verify compliance with permit conditions.

Enforcement occurs when TRPA identifies non-compliance. Enforcement actions may include investigation, stopping unlawful activity, requiring corrective action, or pursuing legal remedies. Many enforcement cases are resolved through corrective action and do not require litigation. Examples include:

• Lake clarity – Sending BMP enforcement letters to property owners in priority areas where stormwater impacts are identified.
• Aquatic invasive species – Preventing launch of a contaminated watercraft and requiring decontamination before entry.
• Tree removal – Investigating unauthorized tree removal or material damage conducted without required approval.
• Construction – Issuing correction notices or stop-work orders at a construction site where water quality BMPs are not being maintained.

When a violation occurs, TRPA’s first priority is to stop the unlawful activity and prevent or address environmental harm. Once immediate impacts are controlled, the agency focuses on remediation and bringing the site or activity back into compliance.

Under the Bi-State Compact, a person who violates the Compact, TRPA ordinances, or permit conditions is subject to civil penalties. TRPA may pursue civil enforcement through the courts or resolve matters through negotiated settlement agreements.

In practice:

• Most violations are resolved through negotiated settlement agreements, which are approved by the TRPA Governing Board.
• For minor violations that can be corrected quickly, TRPA may resolve the matter through double filing fees, consistent with the agency’s adopted fee schedule.
• Settlement agreements are designed to stop violations, address environmental impacts, and achieve compliance without extended litigation.

A list of approved TRPA settlement agreements is available here:

Approved Violation Settlements

Litigation

If a settlement cannot be reached, if settlement terms are not fulfilled, or if compliance cannot otherwise be achieved, TRPA may pursue enforcement through the courts. Article VI(j) of the Bi-State Compact governs judicial actions related to TRPA decisions. Litigation establishes liability, determines appropriate remedies, and may result in court-ordered penalties or injunctive relief. Because litigation is resource-intensive and time-consuming, TRPA generally seeks to resolve violations through settlement when appropriate.

Public education and outreach support TRPA’s compliance efforts by helping property owners, contractors, and visitors understand applicable rules. TRPA supports compliance through:

• Community events and informational outreach.
• Published guidance such as the BMP handbook, landscaping guides, and tree removal contractor trainings.
• Media engagement and publications such as Tahoe In Depth, which educates property owners and community members about all TRPA programs and the work of partner agencies
• Online tools, databases, and mapping resources, including the Tahoe Boating App.