The Thomases acquired a 2021 property in Humboldt County, only to find the county demanding over $1 million in penalties and an additional $200 000 for barn demolition—figures that eclipsed standard code fines. Five years later, a federal settlement withdrew those notices, fines, and demolition costs, ending the legal limbo that began when satellite imagery and prior‑owner allegations were treated as ongoing violations.
The lawsuit, filed in 2022, challenged the county’s practice of attaching past cannabis‑related accusations to new owners, arguing that the county’s daily‑accumulating fines violated the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on excessive penalties and the due‑process guarantee. The Ninth Circuit allowed those claims to proceed after noting the plaintiffs’ plausible allegations that the enforcement framework was unconstitutional.
Beyond the Thomases, the case involved five other property owners, including Rhonda Olson who faced potential millions in fines for a property purchased after cannabis activity had ceased, and Blu Graham who had to prove his greenhouse was for vegetables, not weed. These plaintiffs united in asserting that satellite imagery and property history alone were insufficient evidence to impose punitive fines.
The settlement requires Humboldt County to overhaul its code‑enforcement process, instituting prompt hearings and clearer standards for proving violations. It also includes a provision that the county must provide a transparent, timely review system for any future claims.
For the Thomases and their neighbors, the decision means they can finally enjoy their home without the looming threat of a $1 million bill or a forced barn demolition, while the county faces a mandate to prevent similar overreach against future buyers. The court will monitor the county’s compliance with the reform terms, and the next scheduled hearing is set for October 2026.