Neighborhoods are the environment in which we live. Blight and nuisances can devalue, detract, and degrade the quality of the city and your neighborhood. Recognizing the importance of protecting your home, the City has adopted codes that govern the use and maintenance of private property.

Here are some examples of the types of problems that Code Enforcement can handle:

• Trash and debris – Any accumulation of garbage, trash, appliances old furniture or scrap material must be removed from the property as quickly as possible.        
• Inoperable vehicles on private property - Cars and trucks that are not in running condition must be parked in an enclosed garage or stored out of public view.
  Grass and weeds - Tall dry grass or dead vegetation may pose a fire hazard and must be cleared. Front yard landscaping is required in conformance with the surrounding area.
• Water run-off – Running water that may reach a catch basin or the storm drain system is prohibited. Carpet and furniture cleaners, painters, contractors and residents may not dump anything into the storm drain system.
•  Noise – Excessively loud noise from equipment, construction or maintenance activities may be prohibited under certain circumstances.
•  Temporary signs in public areas - Temporary signs are prohibited in street medians and public landscaped areas and may not be placed on street lights, traffic signals or dir onal signs. 
• Dangerous or substandard buildings - Building and housing codes protect the safety of the people entering or living in a property. Illegal or non-permitted room additions, garage conversions, or abandoned buildings that are open and accessible are among the structures of concern to the City.

WHAT IS NOT A CODE VIOLATION?

Your valuable tax dollars are at work and we want to expend our resources appropriately and efficiently. There are some neighborhood problems that do not fall under our jurisdiction. In general, we can act on behalf of the public at large - we cannot take action on behalf of one citizen against another. In other words, we cannot handle many neighbor disputes or civil problems that do not violate public law. Also, we cannot handle complaints that a condition is ugly or unattractive. Examples: Ugly or unattractive cars, trucks, RV's or boats do not constitute a code violation unless they are inoperable. Vehicles parked on a driveway, unless inoperable, would not be a code violation.

Leisure World residents are subject to regulations adopted by their homeowner associations. These may include restrictions on the use of common area property, building improvements, and parking. Leisure World regulations are not enforced by the City of Laguna Woods; they are enforced by Leisure World Homeowners Associations and their staff, Professional Community Management (PCM).   

HOW DO YOU REPORT A CODE VIOLATION?

The City depends on the eyes and ears of its residents to assist in the identification and correction of City Code violations. If you want to file a complaint, please call or drop by City Hall. We will need information about the date you observed the violation, the address or location of the violation and a description of your concern.  To help you gather all the required information, you may access a report for by clicking on the form icon at the end of this article. You can mail or drop off the completed form at City Hall, 24264 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, CA  92637. You can also attached to completed form to an email to SVerrall@lagunawoodscity.org or fax it to (949) 639-0591.

AFTER YOU REPORT A COMPLAINT WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Upon receipt of the complaint, a code enforcement officer will make a visit to the location. Once verified, a responsible party will receive a notice of the violation and be given a time frame to correct the problem. The time frame will vary with the type of violation. A failure to correct the problem will result in remedial or punitive action being taken. Actions could include abatement by the city or its agents, or a criminal complaint, or the issuance of an administrative citation.

If you have any questions about the Laguna Woods Code Enforcement Program or the report process, please call the City’s Code Enforcement Officer, Sandy Verrall at (949) 639-0522 for assistance.