A yearslong pattern of code violations at a Napa home has prompted the city to seek court intervention after efforts to gain access went unanswered.
Citing safety risks and ongoing code violations, the city of Napa has obtained a court order to inspect a long-neglected home near downtown, a property once owned by a woman who died in the 2017 Atlas Fire.
The city filed a petition July 11 seeking an inspection warrant for the home on Seymour Street, between Laurel and Pine streets. A Napa County Superior Court judge granted it the same day, allowing city staff to enter the house for a full assessment.
The deteriorating three-bedroom home, built in 1900, is now surrounded by weeds and overgrowth. It was previously owned by Sally Lewis, 90, who died with her caretaker, Teresa Santos, 59, when flames overtook her other home in Soda Canyon during the Atlas Fire.
The blaze ignited on the evening of Oct. 8, 2017, during a fierce wind event and ultimately burned over 51,000 acres across Napa and Solano counties. It claimed six lives and destroyed more than 780 structures before being fully contained near the end of October.
The Seymour Street property is now held in a trust managed by Lewis’ daughter, Windemere Triados, according to court filings.
City records show a long history of code enforcement issues at the property dating back to April 2015, including reports of squatters, vermin and repeated vegetation overgrowth. While previous complaints were temporarily resolved, officials say the nuisance conditions kept returning.
Since September 2022, code enforcement has issued a string of new citations. The home was red-tagged in December 2023, and in July 2024, the city issued an order to abate and a compliance order, followed by two administrative citations. After sending a letter requesting consent to inspect the property — and receiving no response — the city turned to the court.
In a sworn declaration, code enforcement officer Devon Webb said an interior inspection is necessary to determine the full extent of code violations.
“The subject property is neglected, dilapidated and in a severe state of disrepair, and has not been thoroughly inspected,” Webb wrote.
Unlawful nuisance conditions “remain to this day,” according to Webb, and create lingering health and safety risks.
The city has previously pursued receivership for severely blighted properties — a legal move that can transfer control of a property to a third party in order to resolve persistent code violations. It’s not yet clear whether Napa officials plan to seek that step in this case.
You can reach Staff Writer Edward Booth at 707-521-5281 or edward.booth@pressdemocrat.com.
