By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. — Want to put up a license plate reader camera on a Sandoval County road? You’ll need permission from Planning and Zoning first, or you could face criminal charges.
Sandoval County commissioners unanimously approved the ordinance at their Oct. 14 meeting. It bans automated license plate readers on county property and public rights-of-way unless the county issues a permit.
Cameras already in place without a permit must come down within 60 days of the rule taking effect, according to the ordinance. Each day an unpermitted camera runs counts as a separate petty misdemeanor. So does each time someone accesses or downloads its data. The Sheriff’s Office, county zoning officers and the county attorney can all enforce it.
Vice Chairman Jon Herr brought the ordinance forward at an earlier meeting because he wanted public input on a widely disputed issue.
Permit applications go to the Planning and Zoning director, and the Planning and Zoning Commission hears them at a public hearing. Applicants can appeal a decision to District Court within 30 days. The ordinance takes effect 30 days after it’s recorded with the County Clerk.