CODE ENFORCEMENT

 Los Alamitos is known for beautiful neighborhoods and high property values. To help maintain this excellent reputation the City has adopted a number of laws and regulations over the years that allow everyone to live, work and play in a healthy, safe environment.  An active Code Enforcement program helps maintain the City’s aesthetic quality, enhances property values and preserves the high quality of living in the community.

The Neighborhood Preservation Division is responsible for enforcing the Municipal Code related to the preservation of property and to assure compliance with the zoning ordinance and other code sections that are related to private property usage.  All property maintenance, public nuisances, graffiti, health and safety, housing, zoning issues and storm water violations are handled through the Division.

The Neighborhood Preservation Officer investigates complaints received from concerned citizens, regarding neighborhood decay and is also proactive in promoting a clean, attractive and safe community.  The division also oversees the annual Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)program, which addresses improvements in specified areas within the City.  The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)program is also administered through the Division.  The NPDES program requires the City to inspect every commercial business for compliance with State laws which were enacted to keep our waterways clean, and ensure the proper way to dispose of materials that could be harmful to the environment.

To report neighborhood concerns or to find out more about the program, you may contact the Neighborhood Preservation Officer directly by calling 562-431-3538 ext., 304.  All violations are addressed in a confidential, professional manner.  An electronic complaint may also be filed by using the on-line form on this page.

You may take initiative to preserve your neighborhood by maintaining your property in compliance with the Municipal Code by addressing the following minimal guidelines on your own property.

FILING A CODE ENFORCEMENT COMPLIANT

Complaints regarding code enforcement issues may be filed with the Neighborhood Preservation Division in person, by mail, by telephone or electronically.  Please be sure to leave the location of the violation on the property and the correct property address and street name.  Please provide us with your contact information so that we may provide you with excellent customer service.  To File an Electronic Complaint, click here:  Complaint Form

♦ Home Maintenance

             Your home exterior should not appear run-down. 
             Repair peeling paint and Broken windows                    

♦Your Garage

            Garages should be used for storing vehicles, remove any excess
            storage
            Never convert your garage to living quarters even if only temporary

 ♦Your yard

Regular maintenance of the landscape, shrubs and lawn, on your property and the city parkway in front of your home is required.
Remove all trash and debris and dispose of clutter appropriately
Do not store items in your yard within view from the street
Maintain the lawn healthy and in conformity to surrounding properties

♦Fences/walls

Where a solid fence, wall or hedge is located in the required front yard, side yard or rear yard and also abuts a street or alley, the fence, wall or hedge shall not exceed three feet in height within ten feet of the property line adjacent to the street or alley. Fences and walls require a Building Permit and must be structurally sound.  Fences and walls shall not exceed seven feet in height in the remaining yard areas.

♦Signs

Signs and banners must be approved and permitted through the Building Department prior to installation

Personal signs attached to utility poles or in the public-right-of-way are prohibited

♦Trash containers

Except during the time containers are placed for curbside collection, residential solid waste containers shall not be visible from the public right of way.  Containers or any bulky goods shall not be placed in the area for collection service before six p.m. on the day before the regularly scheduled collection day and shall be removed from locations adjacent to a street or other public right-of-way not later than one a.m. on the day following the regularly scheduled collection day.

♦Graffiti

It is unlawful for any person to paint, chalk, or otherwise apply graffiti on public or privately owned structures located on public or privately owned property within the city.  Graffiti is the responsibility of the property owner and as such must be removed by the property owner within 24 hours.  Removal of this blight as soon as it is detected prevents recurring affliction in surrounding areas.

♦Vehicles/Parking

In the front yard setback area, all vehicles including recreational vehicles, recreational items, trailers and utility trailers shall be parked or left standing only on a driveway and shall not be parked or left standing on any other part of the setback area. Do not park or store vehicles on the lawn of your property or blocking the sidewalk.  All parking of vehicles must be done in the front yard setback.  All motor vehicles and recreational items on driveways and in front yards shall be operational and currently registered.

♦Recreational vehicles

Recreational items, trailers, or utility trailers located on a driveway shall be affixed to or located upon a motor vehicle.

♦Home businesses

Before starting a home business, contact the Planning Department to obtain approvals and a business license

♦Construction Hours

Provided a Building Permit has been obtained from the city, noise sources associated with construction, repair, remodeling or grading of any real property should not take place between the hours of eight p.m. and seven a.m. on weekdays, including Saturday, or at any time on Sunday or a federal holiday