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Welcome to the home page for the Code Enforcement Division of California City. This division works closely with the Police Department and has been given the responsibility to enforce laws related to safety, health, public welfare, neighborhood enhancement and quality of life. Please complete either of the forms below, if you need our assistance.

The most common issues that the Code Enforcement Division responds to are:

-Dangerous and abandoned buildings

-Fire hazards

-State housing law violations

-Zoning requirements

-Un-permitted construction activity

-Illegal businesses

HOW DO I SUBMIT A COMPLAINT?

If you suspect a violation how do you go about getting it resolved or reporting it?

You may make contact with the property owner directly and request that he or she resolve the condition, or, you may report violations to the Code Enforcement Division by filling out a complaint form. The fastest way to initiate a Code Enforcement investigation is to submit a complaint form. Complaint forms are available at City Hall located at 21000 Hacienda Blvd.

When submitting a complaint, the reporting party must include their name and phone number, as anonymous complaints will not be processed. As a policy, the Code Enforcement Division does not provide the violator with the information about who reported the violation. Additional information which must be provided is a description of what the alleged violation is, the location of the violation including the nearest cross-street and any other pertinent information which may be helpful. We have included the form and instructions below in a "Microsoft Word" format, for your convenience.

How do I contact a Code Enforcement Officer?

The Code Enforcement Offices are located at City Hall at 21000 Hacienda Blvd. You may request to speak to a Code Enforcement Officer or you may call (760)373-7445.

SUBSTANDARD HOUSING

Will the City resolve a dispute between me and my landlord?

The Code Enforcement Division ensures that rental units are safe to live in. The City will not act as referee for landlord-tenant disputes that involve conditions unrelated to habitability or safety. For example, a dispute involving the color of carpeting would not affect the habitability of the rental unit. Generally these disputes are best resolved between the renter and property owner.

For information about your rights, responsibilities and suggestions on ways to resolve housing complaints between tenants and landlords, the State of California, Department of Consumer Affairs, 400 R Street, Suite 3090 Sacramento CA 95814-6200 (800) 952-5210 has published several guidelines: LT-3, LT-6 and LT-8. Additional assistance may be available through the Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance Center, 615 California Avenue, Bakersfield, CA (661) 325-5943.

When contacting your landlord about problems related to your rental unit, it is recommended that you send a letter and keep a copy for your records.

If you have contacted your landlord and he or she is unwilling to make the property habitable, within the limits of his or her responsibility, you can submit a complaint to the Code Enforcement Division.

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

As California City residents and property owners, we have in interest in maintaining the reputation of an attractive, safe, healthy and wholesome community. One way we can do this is by being aware of the property maintenance standards that help insure that the high living quality of our neighborhoods is maintained. The City takes pride in its neighborhoods. Property Maintenance standards have been developed to ensure that our neighborhoods remain attractive. Well-kept neighborhoods help to maintain or increase property values, discourage crime and graffiti, encourage quality development and preserve the quality of life in our City. Do Your Part!

Typical problems related to property maintenance:

Hazardous / nuisance overgrown vegetation / weeds

Inoperative vehicles / yard parking

Storage of junk or trash

Garage sales

Garage sales may be held a total of four (4) times a year, and only merchandise belonging to the owner may be sold. Check with City Hall for further requirements. Signs must be removed after the event. Signs must be freestanding and not larger than 3 feet by 2 feet. Garage sale signs may NOT be placed on public property or on private property without the owner’s permission. Attaching signs to any traffic or parking control device, tree, street light or utility pole, or placing so as to obstruct public sidewalks, medians, or public right-of-ways is illegal. Signs placed illegally will be confiscated and destroyed without notice and a citation will be issued.

ILLEGAL DUMPING

Unfortunately, illegal dumping is a problem that continues to occur despite hefty penalties such as fines, arrest, and orders to abate. If the dumping is done by a business, revocation of business licenses is almost guaranteed in addition to other penalties. What is really unfortunate is that there are plenty of legal alternatives to illegal dumping. Legally, when trash is dumped on private property, the property owner becomes responsible to remove it. At this time, Due to State budget reductions, the City is not able to assist private property owners in removing dumped materials from their property.

I see someone dumping right now. Who do I call?

This is a crime in progress, you should call the Police Department at (760)373-8606 and provide as much information as possible such as a description of the vehicle, license plate, number and description of people involved, and items being dumped.

Why hasn't anything been done yet?

I turned in a complaint last week. Why hasn't the City done anything yet?

It’s likely that the Code Enforcement Division has already started investigating your complaint. Part of an investigation involves researching property ownership, title, occupants, past or current permits, prior Code Enforcement actions, etc. The investigation may also involve working closely with other Departments and/or Agencies. A significant portion of Code Enforcement investigations are performed ‘behind the scenes’ by exchanging correspondence with the violator, sending legal notices, etc.

When the violator fails or refuses to correct the violation, the Code Enforcement division initiates a formal legal process to compel compliance which may extend the amount of time to resolve the violation. For non-hazardous situations, it is requested that you wait a minimum of 30 days after filing the complaint before checking on the status of a complaint to allow us time to initiate an investigation, contact the property owner and attempt resolution of the violation.

What do I do if I receive a letter?

For Non-hazardous violations: The first letter you should receive is mailed to you as a courtesy. It is intended to merely advise you that a violation of an applicable law has been observed. After receipt of the letter, You may:

•Correct the problem

•Contact the Code Enforcement Officer assigned to your case

Please contact the Code Enforcement Divisions' Officer assigned to your case at the earliest convenience to clear up any of the following:

1.The information in the letter is incorrect.

2.You are not responsible for the violation

3.The violation no longer exists.

4.You don't understand some part of the letter.

Once the allowable time specified on your first letter has expired, and if you have not corrected the violation, you may be subject to additional enforcement action.

If it is determined that a hazardous violation exists or that you or the property has been the subject of previous enforcement within the preceding 12-months, you will be notified by an official “Notice of Violation and Order to Abate." This notice will state specific code sections for which you are in violation, the remedies available to you, and any fines, charges and/or penalties that you will be assessed.

If you receive an official “Notice of Violation and Order to Abate”, you should contact the Code Enforcement Officer assigned to your case as soon as possible. You may appeal a “Notice of Violation and Order to Abate” on the basis that you:

•Are not responsible for the violation.

•Contest the existence of a violation.

ENFORCEMENT

The Code Enforcement division utilizes a variety of strategies to in order to gain compliance with standards. These strategies include, but are not necessarily

limited to:

Administrative remedies

-Levying of fines

-Withholding, suspending or revoking City issued permits or licenses

-Nuisance abatement

Civil remedies

-Injunction

-Placing property in a receivership

Criminal remedies

-Fines

-Arrest

-Probation

Helpful phone numbers:

Police Department (760)373-8606

Animal Control (760)373-1115

Fire Department (760)373-4841

City Hall (760)373-8661

Building Department (760)373-7162