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. These regulations are enforced by the City’s Code Enforcement staff.

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

Graffiti – Exterior surfaces that are defaced due to any writing, inscription, figure, scratches or other markings commonly referred to as graffiti must be repaired as quickly as possible.

Trash and debris – Any exterior accumulation of garbage, trash, inoperable appliances or old furniture must be removed as quickly as possible.                       

Inoperable vehicles – Cars and trucks that are not in running condition must be parked in an enclosed garage or stored out of public view.

Water runoff – Running water that enters the storm drain system may be prohibited. Carpet cleaners, mobile carwash services, painters, contractors and residents cannot dump wastewater into the storm drain system.

Noise – Excessively loud noise from equipment, construction or maintenance activities may be prohibited under certain circumstances.

Temporary signs on public property - Temporary signs are prohibited in public street medians and landscaped areas and may not be placed on street lights, traffic signals or directional 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 and garage conversions 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, but 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 municipal law. Also, we cannot handle complaints about an ugly or unattractive condition. For example, ugly or unattractive cars, trucks, RVs 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.

Laguna Woods Village residents are subject to regulations adopted by their homeowners associations. These may include restrictions on the use of common area property, building improvements and parking. Laguna Woods Village regulations are not enforced by the City; they are enforced by the Laguna Woods Village homeowners associations and their management agent, Professional Community Management (PCM).   

HOW DO YOU REPORT A POSSIBLE 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 a description of your concern, as well as an address or location and the date you observed the possible violation.  To help you gather all the required information, click on the reporting form below.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU REPORT A POSSIBLE CODE VIOLATION?

Once it is reported, a code enforcement officer will attempt to verify your complaint. If verified, the City has a variety of enforcement options depending on the nature of the violation -- including issuance of notices of violation, administrative citations and fines. Violators are typically given a reasonable period of time to correct the violation, except when there is an immediate danger to public health or safety.

If you have questions about the City’s Code Enforcement program or would like to report a possible violation, please call Code Enforcement at (949) 639-0522.