CODE ENFORCEMENT

The County of Los Angeles initiated the Property Rehabilitation Program in 1960, to mitigate the existence of substandard and unsightly conditions on private property. Through the application of Chapters 98 and 99 of the Building Code, the program provides for the citation and abatement of neighborhood deterioration, and the elimination of unsightly, unsafe, and unhealthy conditions to safeguard the health, safety, and public welfare of communities.

Following is a list of common substandard or unsightly private property violations:

• Vacant, abandoned, vandalized, fire-damaged or partially destroyed buildings or structures
• Buildings with broken window or doors constituting potentially hazardous conditions, inviting trespassers and malicious mischief
• Attractive nuisances dangerous to children, such as abandoned or broken equipment or neglected machinery
• Broken or discarded household furniture visible from the street
• Trash, junk or debris in yard areas
• Inoperable or abandoned motor vehicles stored for unreasonable periods in yard areas

Upon receiving a complaint that substandard or unsightly conditions exist on private property that constitutes a public nuisance, Building and Safety Division may take the following steps:

• Give written notice (Informal Notice) to the property owner(s) requesting voluntary abatement of the violations within two weeks.
• If voluntary compliance is not obtained, a 30-day notice (Formal Notice) will be issued, a Declaration of Substandard Property will be recorded, and an Investigation and Processing fee will be incurred.
• Should further action be required a hearing will be scheduled before the Building Rehabilitation Appeals Board Building which could result in a “Finding” that the property is substandard creating a public nuisance and an “Order” that the violation be removed.
• Should the property owner fail to comply with the order, Public Works will act to abate the public nuisance conditions with County forces.
• The cost of the work is then billed to the property owner(s) and if not paid shall be charged as a special assessment on the tax bill.

The Property Rehabilitation Program is designed to abate unsightly and substandard conditions on private property. Following is a list of typical abatement actions the can be performed:

• Barricade buildings or structures open to unauthorized entry.
• Demolish severely damaged buildings or structures.
• Remove overgrown vegetation.
• Clean up unsightly conditions by removing junk, trash, and debris.
• Remove inoperable vehicles.

• Report a Concern
• 211: A Countywide hotline answered 24 hours a day.
• Contact the County agency
• Contact the local Building and Safety District Office