What does the Code Enforcement Division do?
What is the Property Maintenance Ordinance?
How do I make a complaint about a possible Property Maintenance violation?
What is the procedure for following up on a possible code violation?
Voluntary Compliance
What Are The Penalties?
What if I see someone illegally dumping junk, trash or debris?
How does the Code Enforcement Division address the issue of homeless encampments?
Does the Code Enforcement Division enforce violations on Public Properties, Streets, Alleys and Sidewalks?
Does the Code Enforcement Division address abandoned vehicles?
Does the Code Enforcement Division Enforce CC&R’s?
How can I obtain a free dumpster?
Whom do I contact about stray shopping carts?
What can I do to help?
How can I adopt a street or an alley?
What if there is mold in my unit?
What if I am a tenant with plumbing, electrical or mechanical problems in my unit?
What if I know of someone who is altering, repairing or building without a permit?
What if someone has a boat, trailer or RV parked on their property?
What if someone is living in the RV parked on their property?
What if I see a violation at the Marina?
What if I observe foot traffic coming out of a residence that I suspect is drug related?
Information about other Departments and Agencies
What does the Code Enforcement Division do?
The main purpose of the Code Enforcement Division is to help empower the citizens of Vallejo to create and maintain safe, healthy and attractive living and working environments. Our aim is to help improve Vallejo’s neighborhoods and economic conditions so that the City of Vallejo is known as a good place to live, raise families, work and retire in.
We promote these efforts by providing services that include:
- Proactive Code Enforcement
- Volunteer inspection efforts
- Other Community Health and Safety Activities
We value and promote progressive partnerships with residents, the business community, school district and ongoing community education.
If you would like more information about code enforcement activities, please call (707) 648-4469 or email
[email protected]. (Please submit all requests for demand payoff to us via email).
What is the Property Maintenance Ordinance?
The
Property Maintenance Ordinance (Chapter 7.54 of the Vallejo Municipal Code) was developed by a citizens committee in 1990 for the purpose of improving the quality of life, appearance and economic conditions of Vallejo. Sections of the Property Maintenance Ordinance relate to the following violations:
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A. Abandoned or partially destroyed
buildings
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H. Construction machinery or equipment
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O. Excessive dust or debris accumulation in front yards
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B. Unpainted buildings or buildings with deteriorating paint
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I. Improper maintenance of signs
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P. Graffiti or posters on property
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C. Broken windows
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J. Vehicles parked on front lawn
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Q. Storing or keeping of sand, gravel or concrete
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D. Deteriorated, unsightly or defective exteriors
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K. Dead, decayed trees or overgrown vegetation
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R. Garbage cans, refuse containers or recycling bins in public view
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E. Accumulation of dirt, litter or debris
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L. Clotheslines in front yard
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S. Maintenance of property constituting a public nuisance
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F. Used, damaged or discarded lumber, furniture, junk or trash visible from public street or alley
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M. Deteriorated exterior wall, fence or hedge
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T. Unauthorized camping on private property in a place which can be viewed from the public right-of-way or in a manner that constitutes a public nuisance. It shall not be unlawful to camp with permission of the property owner or a lawful tenant in such locations where camping may be conducted in accordance with applicable city law and where such camping does not constitute a public nuisance. The term "camping" shall have the same meaning as used in Chapter 7.67 of the Vallejo Municipal Code. |
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G. Attractive nuisances, hazardous pools, excavation
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N. Pooled oil accumulation on commercial or industrial property
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How do I make a complaint about a possible Property Maintenance violation?
Reporting violations is important to the overall quality of life in our community and it helps our city inspectors do a better job. To expedite service and response, make sure that you have a specific address if possible before calling and any additional information that would help get the violation corrected. You don’t have to give your name with a complaint however, but this omission may restrict the City’s ability to follow up on a complaint. We do request a call-back number in case there are questions. Call (707) 648-4469 to discuss the possible violation. You can also make an online complaint via
e-mail.
What is the procedure for following up on a possible code violation?
City staff responds to code enforcement complaints according to the impact of the violation on the community. Situations that appear to pose a serious risk to health and safety are given top priority; others are pursued in the order in which they are received.
In most cases for non-emergency complaints, a warning letter or courtesy notice is sent to the alleged violator. The purpose of this first step is to inform the alleged violator that there is a possible code violation on their property and to give them time to correct it. If the complainant says the violation still exists after the correction date, the inspector will conduct a site inspection and send a follow up notice or applicable citation with additional correction time.
Voluntary Compliance
Code Enforcement encourages the responsible party to voluntarily comply with the law. Occupants and/or property owners are informed of the violation and corrective action that is needed to bring the property into compliance. The person(s) responsible for a code violation is given the opportunity to clean up the property. An exception is where the condition is determined to be “imminently dangerous” and immediate action is needed to remove a substandard hazard to the occupant or neighboring properties. Owners who do not voluntarily correct the code violations by the time specified face significant administrative penalties and other enforcement actions. If the City needs to take action to abate a nuisance, all costs of the abatement and an administrative fee will be applied and a lien will be placed on the property.
What Are The Penalties?
Administrative Citations:
- $267.00 per section cited for the first citation.
- $534.00 per section cited for the second citation.
- $802.00 per section cited for the third and subsequent citation
Citation Late Fee: $475.00
Notice of Violation Administrative Charge: $386.00
For the current master fee schedule effective, July 22, 2021, please click here: http://www.ci.vallejo.ca.us/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=17822489
Criminal Citations – Mandatory court appearance – Fines – Possible jail time
Recorded Liens and Tax Assessments against properties for abatement costs, fines and penalties
Further civil or criminal enforcement
What if I see someone illegally dumping junk, trash or debris?
Call the police department immediately! Make sure to get a good description of the person dumping, the vehicle that they were driving, and the vehicle license number. If you see illegally dumped trash after the fact and cannot provide a description of the responsible party, where the trash is located will determine how it is to be removed. If the debris is located on public property i.e.: street, sidewalk, alley or other City owned property, call Public Works Maintenance at (707) 648-5235. For dumping on a vacant lot or private property, call Code Enforcement at (707) 648-4469. If someone dumps on your property, you will ultimately be responsible for the removal of the items.
How does the Code Enforcement Division address the issue of homeless encampments?
If the homeless encampment is on private property, the area officer will conduct an inspection and notify the property owner via a warning letter providing 20 days to correct the violations for junk and debris. If not corrected, a Notice of Violation, which comes with an administrative charge, will be sent to the owner and an additional 20 days will be granted to abate the violations. The officer may issue a citation if corrections have not been made after the required time to abate or if the violations are deemed to be dangerous to the general welfare, health and safety, they may be summarily abated. Abatement may include, but is not limited to the removal of junk and debris. The Code Enforcement Division will coordinate with the Housing and Community Development Division, the Vallejo Police Department and a private contractor to bag, tag and store any personal property left on the site and perform biohazard clean-up. The City's policies and procedures for clean-up and abatement of temporary shelters can be found here:
City of Vallejo Administrative Rule 7.10: Garbage Removal; Clean Up of Temporary Shelters and Code Enforcement Abatement Procedures
If the homeless encampment is on public property, it will be addressed by the City's Public Works Maintenance Division. More information about their process can be found here.
Does the Code Enforcement Division enforce violations on Public Properties, Streets, Alleys and Sidewalks?
The Code Enforcement Division does
not have enforcement jurisdiction to address any code violations on the City’s properties, streets, sidewalks and alleys. If you believe there is a property maintenance violation on streets, sidewalks, alleys or city owned properties such as the Mare Island Rail Road or other City-owned properties, please contact Public Works Maintenance at (707) 648-5235.
Does the Code Enforcement Division address abandoned vehicles?
The Code Enforcement Division does not have enforcement jurisdiction to address vehicles of any kind unless they are inoperable and/or unregistered and located on a private property that has other property maintenance violations on it. Code Enforcement can also address vehicles that are parked on the front lawn area of a residence. For inoperable and/or unregistered vehicles located on the street, sidewalk or alley, or located on a private property (driveway, side or rear yards), please report an abandoned vehicle with the Police Department
here.
Does the Code Enforcement Division Enforce CC&R’s?
The Code Enforcement Division only enforces CC&R’s if they are the same violations as in the Property Maintenance or Zoning Ordinances. The Code Enforcement Division does not enforce the color of a building or whether a lawn area has to be green.
How can I obtain a free dumpster?
To apply for the use of a Code Enforcement Free Neighborhood Dumpster, please refer to the guidelines and requirements
here.
Whom do I contact about stray shopping carts?
If the name of the store is on the cart, contact the store with the location of the cart. If there is no store name on the cart, contact the City of Vallejo Code Enforcement Division at (707) 648-4469. If the cart is located on the street, sidewalk, alley, or other City property call (707) 648-5235 for pick-up.
What can I do to help?
The best way to solve a problem is to become part of the solution.
Be concerned about the welfare and appearance of your street and neighborhood then take action:
- Organize a block or alley clean up.
- Adopt-a-street or an alley.
- Return a stray shopping cart to the store.
- Call a store to retrieve their shopping carts.
- Report illegal dumping immediately.
- Remove temporary signs from utility poles.
- Make sure your property is free from code violations.
- Encourage neighbors and surrounding businesses to maintain their property.
- Arrange for Code Enforcement staff to speak at your neighborhood gathering.
- Volunteer to organize a clean up at your neighborhood school.
- Visit your neighborhood association.
- Encourage your children to care about a clean neighborhood.
- Help your elderly or disabled neighbor with yard care.
- Volunteer for one of our neighborhood clean-ups.
How can I adopt a street or an alley?
The Adopt-A-Street program is currently inactive due to staffing and funding.
What if I see rats, possums, ants or other vermin near my property?
Contact the Solano County Environmental Health Department at (707) 784-6765. If the vermin are already on your property, you will have to hire a private exterminator.
What if there is mold in my unit?
Contact the Solano County Environmental Health Department at (707) 784-6765.
What if I am a tenant with plumbing, electrical or mechanical problems in my unit?
You may file a complaint with the City of Vallejo Building Division at (707) 648-4374 or email them
here
What if I know of someone who is altering, repairing or building without a permit?
You may call in the complaint (with an address if possible) to the City of Vallejo Building Division at (707) 648-4374 or email
them
here
What if someone has a boat, trailer or RV parked on your property?
A boat, trailer or RV parked on a property is not a code violation unless it is:
- Parked on the front lawn area in a residential zone, unregistered, inoperable and parked on the driveway on the accompanying property maintenance violations such as weeds, junk, broken windows, etc. (Contact the Code Enforcement Division at (707) 648-4469)
- Parked extending over the sidewalk (Contact the Vallejo Police Department Abandoned Vehicle Website or call (707) 648-4682); or causing a sight distance problem for drivers (Contact Public Works Engineering at (707) 648-4315.
What if someone is living in the RV parked on your property?
Contact the Code Enforcement Division at (707) 648-4469.
What if someone is operating an illegal Automobile Repair business in my residential neighborhood?
Contact the Code Enforcement Division at (707) 648-4469.
What if I see a violation at the Marina?
Contact (707) 648-4315.
What if I observe foot traffic coming out of a residence that I suspect is drug-related?
Contact the Vallejo Police Department by dialing 9-1-1
Information about other Departments and Agencies
For other information and to report complaints that are not directly related to the ordinances that the Code Enforcement Division enforces, please contact the departments/divisions and agencies listed below.
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Vallejo Police Department
Abandoned or inoperable vehicles on the street, Vehicles, Trailers, Mobile homes and Boats parked illegally on the street, Noise abatement
648-4682
Main Police Station
648-4321
Fire Prevention
Fire hazards, Fire Inspection, Hazardous or industrial waste.
648-4564
Business License Division
648-4310
Public Works
Basketball hoops in the street
649-3417
Fallen trees or hazardous limbs
648-5235
Illegal dumping in streets, alleys and other public right of ways
648-5235
Vegetation blocking sidewalk, obstructing signs or obstructing vehicle sight lines
648-4300
Sidewalk complaints, Potholes in street
648-4430
Pothole emergencies
648-5207
Burned out streetlights
648-5413
Lights and downed poles
648-5207
Street sweeping schedule
648-4430
Building Division
Construction code information, Housing code violations, Building code questions.
648-4374
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Planning Division
Illegal business operation, Illegal second units & garage conversions,
Zoning ordinance questions
648-4326
Vallejo Housing Authority
General Information
648-4508
Affordable Housing/CDBG/
HOME Program
648-4395
Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)
648-5216
Housing Choice Voucher Program Unit Inspection Information
648-5368
Child Protective Services 24hr Hotline
1-800-544-8696
Animal Control
Barking dogs, vicious animals, stray animals
645-7906
Graffiti Removal Hotline (VFOG)
Public property
648-4397
Fighting Back
Family Resource Center
648-5230
CalTrans
Dead animals on highways, graffiti on highway sound walls and overpasses, weeds and litter on highways, medians, & Sonoma Blvd.
428-2031
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Solano County Assessor’s Office
Property owner information.
421-6265
Vallejo Recology
Hazardous waste disposal, Removal of dead animals from City streets.
552-3110
Vallejo Sanitation
Sewer and storm drain problems, Illegal dumping into storm drains
644-8949
Recycling
Valcore Recycling Center
645-8258
Pacific Rim
746-6067
PG&E
Electrical or gas problems
1-800-743-5000
Low Cost Help
Genesis House
642-8634
House of Acts
553-1042
Solano County
Environmental Health Department
Overflowing dumpster at restaurants or stores, rodents
784-6765
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