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Black real estate investor, Dietrick Burks, has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Marin County and its chief building official. The lawsuit claims that Burks was subjected to discriminatory permitting requirements after the community discovered his racial identity.

    Burks, an entrepreneur who sells float homes in Marin County, alleges that he faced no issues with permits when he had a white business partner in 2019. However, once he went solo and the community learned of his race, he encountered problems getting permits for two additional floating homes. "I was shocked," Burks said. "I couldn't believe I was facing this in today's society."

    The lawsuit claims that residents of Waldo Point Harbor petitioned the board of supervisors to stop Burks' projects, and that Marin County's chief building official collaborated with the board to change the county municipal code to target Burks' endeavors. Attorneys for Burks claim he faced regulations that didn't exist in the municipal code, such as inspections before moving the floating homes.

    In response to the lawsuit, the county of Marin stated that it has not yet been served and will review the claims through the legal process. The county maintains that its building policies are applied uniformly and are not motivated by race. Burks' lawyers argue that he lost money due to delays in obtaining permits and is seeking compensation as part of the lawsuit.