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Code Enforcement

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1. What is the purpose of the Code Enforcement Unit and what services does it provided?

The Code Enforcement Unit addresses Richmond Municipal Code violations involving health, safety, public nuisance and property maintenance.

2. Am I required to display an address at my residence?

Yes. All residences and businesses in the City of Richmond must have an address posted. Residences numbers shall be no less than be 4" and business numbers shall be no less than least 6" and visible from the public right-of-way.

3. I have received a Notice from the City Code Enforcement Officer for violating one of the City Ordinance. I don't feel I was given enough time to correct the problem. What should I do?

Contact the citing Officer at listed number or visit the Code Enforcement Unit within the Richmond Police Department at 401 27th Street, Richmond CA 94804 within the time frame if you wish to discuss the circumstances and/or you may file an appeal requesting additional time. Based upon the circumstances, deadline may be extended.

4. What if the violation is not corrected within the specified time?

After an Officer re-inspects a property and determines that the violation still exist. The Officer can either elect to issues an Administrative Citation or a Non-Compliance Notification.

The Administrative Citation for the first offense is $250.00 per Richmond Municipal Code (RMC) violation, the 2nd Administrative Citation $500.00 per RMC violation, and 3rd Administrative Citation $1,000.00 per RMC violations OR the Officer can issue a Non-Compliance Notification in the amount of $308.00 ($243.00 for Inspection and Notice and $65.00 Re-Inspection). The City may also abate the violation at the property owners expense.

You also have the right to an Appeal which must be filed within the time frame given for correction. There is a cost to file an Appeal. A Hardship Waiver package can also be obtained from the Code Enforcement Unit.

If your Appeal is granted you will be notified of the date and time of Hearing.

5. Who turned me in?

We receive complaints from a number of sources including internal referrals, outside agencies and the general public. We do not give out the source of the complaints.

6. Am I required to have garbage service?

Yes. It is the duty of every owner of any premises in the City to subscribe to and pay for the solid waste collection service.

Each owner of a premises shall start services within seven (7) days of the occupancy of a premises. If owner fails to start service, the collector shall give owner a written notification that such service is required. If service is not initiated within fifteen (15) days from the date of mailing of notice, then collector shall initiate and continue service for the owner.

It is the duty of every owner of any premises to maintain receptacles provided by the collector for receiving and holding all the solid wastes created or accumulated upon said premises between the times for the collection of the solid waste, and to deposit all such solid waste therein. All receptacles shall be kept in a sanitary condition at all times and shall not be placed within the limits of any street or other public place in the City, except that the owner of any premises shall place receptacles at the curb in a location reasonably convenient for semi-automated or automated collection on the regularly scheduled days established by the City or the collector for collection of solid wastes in the area.

Every owner of a single or multiple-family residential dwelling shall provide and keep receptacles of an adequate size and in sufficient numbers to contain, without overflowing, all the refuses generated by the dwelling residents within the designated removal period. The owner shall provide a minimum of one receptacle per family residential dwelling unit or the equivalent thereof as agreed between the owner and the collector pursuant to Richmond Municipal Code 9.20.170.

7. A property in my neighborhood becomes overgrown with tall weeds? Is there a way to make the owner maintain their property?

City ordinance makes it illegal to permit grass, weeds or any other vegetation to grow more than six inch. Individuals should contact the Code Enforcement Unit and provide information on the property. An Officer will inspect the property and contact the owner. The owner is given seven (7) to ten (10) days upon receipt of notice to have the property brought into compliance. However, if the owner does not abate nuisance the City’s Code Enforcement Unit will, if necessary, under a warrant hire a private contractor and/or have the Code Enforcement Abatement Crew to either abate nuisance. The City will invoice the owner of record for the work done plus administrative costs and a lien will be placed on the property.

8. My neighbors have violations too. Why aren’t you investigating them?

If you suspect there is a code violation on another property, you may contact a Code Enforcement Officer and provide this information.
A case will be opened and investigated appropriately. If a violation is found to exist, the owner will be contacted and required to correct the violation.

9. What are setbacks and how do I determine mine?

Setbacks are the minimum distance that a building or structure can be placed from a property line and other structures. Setbacks can vary depending on the zoning. Contact the Planning Department staff to determine your setbacks for the type of structure you wish to build.

10. The violation existed before I bought the property. Why am I responsible for clearing the violation?

Violations run with the property, not with the person who created the violation. If you purchased a property that has violations, you are responsible for abating the violations.

11. A vacant lot in my neighborhood becomes overgrown with tall weeds. Is there a way to make the owner mow the lot?

City ordinance makes it illegal to permit grass or weeds to be more than six (6) inches tall. Individuals should contact the Code Enforcement Unit and provide information on the property. An officer will inspect the property and contact the owner. The owner is given seven (7) to ten (10) days, upon receipt of notice, to abate violation. However, if the owner cannot be located or does not abate violation a warrant will be obtained and City crew will abate violation. The City will invoice the owner of record for the work done, done plus administrative costs, and a lien will be placed on the property.

12. A house in my neighborhood has various cars parked around it. Is this legal?

If any of the vehicles are dismantled or incapable of being moved under their own power, they are considered inoperable vehicles and are not allowed to be parked on streets or private property unless garaged. Owners of illegally parked vehicles can be made to remove them within a specified time period. If the owner fails to remove junk or inoperable vehicles, a warrant may be obtained to remove vehicle(s) and/or immediate removal. Contact Vehicle Abatement for specific information 510-621-1278.

13. A Notice of Violation is recorded against my property. How can I get it removed?

All violations must be abated, and all Code Enforcement and recording fees must be paid. Once the violation is abated and the fees are paid we will record a Release of Lien Notice with Contra Costa County Assessor’s Office.

Contact Code Enforcement Administrative staff at 510- 620-6944 for additional information.