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

 Code Enforcement: Home/Property Maintenance

Home and Property
Maintenance Guidelines

EXTERIOR APPEARANCE:

• Home exterior should not 
  appear rundown;
• Paint the areas of your house and garage which have become weathered or where the paint is peeling;
• Repair all visibly broken or deteriorated items, such as light fixtures, window or door screens, walls and fences;
• Please do not hang clothes out to dry on a 
  clothesline in a front or side yard, on a porch, fence or balcony railing.

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). For more information about water conservation and watering your lawn, click here for the article: "Cut Back on Watering your Lawn - But Don't Stop Altogether!
• 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. High grass or dead lawns contribute to blighted conditions and create 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 

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

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