A well-maintained home presents a pleasing appearance, enhancing the neighborhood and economy of the community.

Home and Property Maintenance Guidelines

• EXTERIOR APPEARANCE:
  - Home exterior should not
     appear rundown;
  - Paint or stain bare wood;
  - Repair peeling paint and
     broken windows;
  - Don't hang clothes or a
     clothesline in a front or 
     side yard or from a
     balcony railing
   
• PARKING:
  - Do not park on your front or
    side yard or anwhere block the sidewalk;
  - Move or store any vehicle that is inoperable out of public view.
   
  Title IX Public Peace & Safety, Chapter 9.95.020
  Vehicular Parking on Residentially-Used Front or Side Yards
   
• LANDSCAPING:
  - Regularly water and maintain the landscaping of your property in front of your home--
    including the city parkway (except trees maintained by the City). Overgrown vegetation
    that detracts from the appearance of the home and the neighborhood is not permitted. 
    Adequate groundcover is required to minimize erosion;
  - Remove accumulations of trash, junk and debris from your front yard and anywhere
    else that is visible from the street on a regular basis;
  - Cut and maintain your lawn and parkway on a weekly basis; Grass or weeds must
     not exceed 12 inches in height. High grass contributes to blighted conditions and
     creates a nuisance. It can also make grass fires more dangerous for firefighters
     and homeowners.
  - To reduce interference with vehicles, pedestrians, water drainage, or street
    maintenance, trim all vegetation, shrubs, bushes and trees on a regular basis
    so they do not overhang on sidewalks, parkways, curbs or streets.
   
  Title XXIII Zoning, Chapter 23.48 Landscaping Standards
  Title IX Public Peace & Safety, Chapter 9.70 Landscaping of Residential Yards 
   
• REMODELING ISSUES:
  - Don't subdivide your home into more than one residential unit;
  - Before expanding, get approval from the Planning Division at (626) 570-5034;
  - Don't convert a garage, shed or other building to living space. It is only safe and legal to
    live in a garage, attic or basement that has been legally converted to a habitable room 
    with proper building permits.
   
  TITLE XX Building and Construction
  TITLE XXIII Zoning
   
• DEADBOLTS ON DOORS:
  - The Uniform Building Code requires that deadbolts be operational from the inside
     without a key or any special knowledge. Deadbolts with a latch on the inside are the
     ones approved for residential use.
   
    TITLE XX Building and Construction
   
• GARAGE:
  - Remove excessive storage in your garage;
  - Garages are to be used for parking vehicles.
   
  TITLE XX Building and Construction
  TITLE XXIII Zoning
   
• SATELLITE DISHES:
  - Before installing a satellite dish, contact the Planning Division at (626) 570-5034
   
  TITLE XXIII Zoning, Chapter 23.46: Satellite Dish Antenna Regulations
   
• SMOKE DETECTORS:
  - Landlords are responsible for ensuring that there is a properly-functioning smoke
    detector when a tenant moves in. After that, the tenant is responsible for regularly
    maintaining the smoke detector and making sure it's in proper working order.
    In apartments and all other dwellings, if the battery is dead or there is another defect,
    the owner must make the repairs or replace the faulty unit upon written notice of the
    condition by the tenant.
   
• SWIMMING POOLS:
  - All rules apply to permanent and temporary pools;
  - Surround pool with a 6-foot fence having a self-closing gate;
  - Drain pool into the sewer, not into the street or a strom drain;
  - Clean pool regularly.
   
  TITLE IX: Public Peace & Safety, Chapter 9.52 Swimming Pool Fences
   
• TRASH / RECYCLING CONTAINERS:
  - Store trash/recycling containers out of public view;
  - Place trash, yard waste and recycling containers on the curb for disposal anytime after 
    12 p.m.on the day before collection and remove them before 6 a.m. the day after 
    collection.
  - Scavenging or removing items from trash cans or recycling containers is prohibited;
  - Do not throw used motor oil (and filters) in the trash or down any type of drain.
    Recycle them by taking them to a certified used oil recycling center. Take
    household hazardous waste and electronic waste to a local roundup.
  - For more information on solid waste disposal and recycling, click here.
   
  TITLE VI: Health and Sanitation