| Purpose/Intent |
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The City Municipal Code provides rules and regulations for the development and operation of the City. The City’s Code Enforcement Officers are tasked with ensuring those rules are enforced. They respond to complaints regarding potential violations of the City’s code as it relates to public health, safety and welfare. Code Enforcement Officers work with property owners to gain compliance and resolve violations.
How do I file a Code Enforcement complaint?
Please contact Code Enforcement at:
- Office Phone No.: 818-790-8881
- Weekend Phone No.: 818-823-1976
- Email: codeenforcement@lcf.ca.gov
- Online via the: Citizen Problem Reporter
- Visit: City Hall (located at One Civic Center Drive, Second Floor (next door to Target and behind Olberz Park)
What days are Code Enforcement Officers available?
Weekdays: Monday – Thursday – 7:00 am – 3:00 p.m.
& Friday – 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (accessible during business hours)
Weekends: Saturday & Sunday morning and afternoon (work out in the field, but not accessible by phone. Please email them at: codeenforcement@lcf.ca.gov
What are examples of common violations?
- Unkempt properties and buildings
- Overgrown vegetation
- Unpermitted construction
- Unauthorized removal of protected trees
- Unpermitted/unlicensed businesses, including unpermitted sidewalk vending or solicitation
- Unauthorized use of City parks and recreational facilities
- Storage of inoperable vehicles
- Unpermitted commercial signage
- Noise violations
- Unpermitted grading
How are violations generally addressed?
Each complaint is investigated, and a determination is made about where the complaint is valid or not. If the complaint is valid, a Code Enforcement officer will generally contact the property owner or responsible party to address the complaint. A courtesy Notice of Violation is generally sent first, with a second Notice of Violation if corrective action is not taken.
A Notice of Violation (NOV) is issued to the property owner of record that explains the violation, how it may be addressed and provides a deadline to comply.
| What happens if a violation is not complied with? |
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Code Enforcement tries to work with responsible parties to obtain voluntary compliance; however, if this does not occur, an administrative citation ranging from $200 (first citation) – $1,000 (third and subsequent citations) may be issued to the responsible party.
| How long does it take to resolve a violation? |
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Generally, property owners are given 30 days to correct a violation unless the issue is complex, then more time may be given to comply.
| How do I check if my neighbor has a building permit? |
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• Building permits can be viewed via the City’s online portal, ConnectLCF.
• If you would like to request staff search for records, a Public Records Request Form can be completed.
• The Building & Safety Division can be contacted at (818) 790-8651 with additional questions.
| How can I appeal a Notice of Violation? |
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You may request a Preliminary Review of a Notice of Violation you receive by sending the City a copy of the Notice of Violation and a signed letter asking for the review (send to):
La Cañada Flintridge City Hall
One Civic Center Drive
La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
| How do I pay a Code Enforcement Citation issued to me? |
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The penalty amount can be found on the front of the citation. Please note that payments cannot be paid at City Hall.
Payments must be sent as follows:
City of La Cañada Flintridge
C/O – Processing Center
P.O. Box 7275
Newport Beach, CA 92658-7275
Write the citation number on your check or money order.
Online:
www.CitationProcessingCenter.com
Phone:
1-800-969-6158
| How can I Appeal a Citation? |
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Within ten (10) calendar days of the date listed on the citation, you can contest the citation by filing for an Administrative Review. You must – 1) file an appeal in writing, including the citation number on the appeal 2) include a deposit in the form of a check or money order for the entire fine amount which will be refunded if the citation is overturned. Be sure to write the citation number on the cashier’s check or money order. Instructions for appealing an administrative citation can be found on the citation form.
mail to:
City of La Cañada Flintridge
C/O – Processing Center
P.O. Box 7275
Newport Beach, CA 92658-7275
Please note that appeal requests must include a deposit in the full citation amount or the appeal will not be reviewed.
| How does the Appeal Process Work? |
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An administrative hearing will be scheduled up to 30 days (or less) after your request to appeal is received, which you will be notified of at least 10 days beforehand.
Again, you will receive your full deposit amount back if the appeal is upheld in your favor. If it is not, the deposit will be retained by the City.
| What are the Consequences for Failure to Pay the Fine and or Correct Violations? |
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Failure to pay the fine within the required timeframe (30-days) will result in a 50% penalty, i.e. a $200 administrative citation will become a $200 citation with a $100 penalty. Failure to pay the administrative citation within 60-days will result in a 100% penalty. Failure to pay the administrative citation within 90-days, Data Ticket mails a final notice for payment.
The final notice indicates the future actions that will be taken to collect the unpaid fine/penalties and interest, including submitting the recipient’s name to the State Franchise Tax Board (FTB) for collection through the Interagency Intercept Program, and that additional processing costs may be added to the fine. Through this program, the FTB collects the unpaid fine, penalties and interest amount owed through tax refund, lottery winnings or unclaimed property.
