The following is a reprint of a city document mailed in May 2007
The City of Anaheim's Nuisance Ordinance and zoning codes are designed to protect the residential atmosphere ofyour neighborhood as well as to prevent unsafe and unsightly use of property.
Only through compliance with the municipal codes and knowing how to take action when violations occur, can wework together to achieve the quality of life everyone wants to enjoy in Anaheim.
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
Those who own, lease or occupy buildings as well as those who maintain abandoned, boarded up or partially destroyed buildings are responsible for maintaining the property. Some common types of nuisance violations are indicated below.
Code Violations (Buildings)
General Conditions
· Unpainted exterior building surfaces causing dry rot, warping, and termite infestation.
· Buildings, which are abandoned, boarded up, partially destroyed or left for longer than a reasonable time in a state of reasonable time in a state of partial construction.
· Broken windows, constituting hazardous conditions and inviting trespassers and malicious mischief.
Vegetation
· Overgrown vegetation which causes harm to neighboring properties or causes unsafe conditions for those walking or driving by.
· Dead trees or weeds that are unsightly and unsafe are likely to provide a home for rodents or insects.
Unattractive or Dangerous
Property Conditions
· Swimming pools, ponds or other standing water which is unsanitary or stagnant.
· Swimming pools, ponds or other standing water without self-closing gates or fences.
· Broken or discarded furniture and household or garage items including lumber, trash, debris, refrigerators or other appliances as well as inoperable vehicle.
· Clothes tines in front yards visible from the public street.
· Any dry or dead shrub, tree or combustible material may constitute a fire hazard.
· An obstacle or part of the landscaping that obstructs the view of street signs, signals or other directional signage.
For bulky items such as furniture or appliances, two free pickups per address are allowed forresidential customers in each calendar year. There is a charge for additional pickups. AnaheimDisposal, 238-3300, will answer any questions and schedule pickup.
Refuse/Waste
· Items such as rubbish, debris, boxes, machinery or parts, furniture, inoperable vehicles, yard waste or junk of any kind.
Fencing
· Any fence which is not maintained in a structurally sound condition; rear yard fences must be no more than six feet tall and fences, walls and hedges in the front shall not exceed thirty six inches.
VEHICLE PARKING
· Vehicles may be parked on a public street for 72 hours, unless otherwise prohibited, such as street sweeping days. They must be in operable condition and be currently registered. If not, they may be cited and / or towed away.
· Vehicles may be parked in a driveway, but must be in operable condition or the owner will be asked to remove or repair them.
· Motor vehicles, motorhomes, trailers, campers and boats must be parked on a paved surface, not on the lawn or yard area.
· A vehicle cannot be parked in a manner obstructing the public sidewalk, street or alley.
· Large commercial trucks and trailers cannot be parked in any residential neighborhood except when loading or unloading.
· Only emergency roadside vehicle repairs may be made to a vehicle parked on the public street, sidewalk or alley.
· Vehicles, motorhomes, campers or trailers may be used for living or sleeping quarters only in an approved campground or R.V. park.
GRAFFITI
An inscription or drawings placed on property without the properly owner's permission is graffiti. Removing graffiti is the owner's responsibility; however, there is help available.
Paint Bank
The City can assist property owners or tenants who can pickup free paint from the Paint Bank, Monday through Friday, except holidays, at the Community Preservation office, 200 S. Anaheim Blvd., 5th floor, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Hotline
Graffiti on public property or that which has not been removed by the property owner can be called into the 24-hour hotline. The location will be given to the Community Preservation paint crew, or referred to volunteers. Graffiti will be painted over, sandblasted, waterblasted or chemically removed.
Adopt a block
Those wishing to join with the City to keep their neighborhood graffiti free can form an Adopt-A-Block group. Groups of six or more will be provided with necessary materials including paint, pans, roller covers, and rags. By adopting an area, neighbors, business associates, church members or civic clubs can remove graffiti as soon as it appears.
Volunteer Paint Outs
Twice a month, Community Preservation staff led groups of volunteers to paint out graffiti citywide. Volunteers provide their own transportation and roller handle. The City provides the supplies and locations, which need painting.
Reward
A $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of graffiti vandals was established in 1989. By providing information, which leads to the arrest and conviction of a graffiti vandal you may claim a reward. You will be notified when the case has been resolved in court. The reward check can be presented publicly by the City Council or anonymously by mail.
Prevention
· Quick removal is the key to deterring future graffiti vandalism. By robbing them of recognition they seek, you are decreasing the chances that graffiti will return.
· Lighting is also an important deterrent. Well lit areas with timed lights or those with motion sensors can illuminate the area so vandals can be seen and potential vandals are less likely to graffiti.
· Planting shrubs, vines or trees in front of graffiti-prone walls is a long term solution to graffiti. Not only is thegraffiti-prone surface covered but the greenery provides a more attractive surface than a bare block wall.
· Fencing can block or eliminate access to areas which are prone to graffiti limiting those walking by or through property can reduce the likelihood of graffiti.
Dusk to Dawn Lighting Program
· To obtain free lights contact Community Preservation at 765-5158.
Problem Properties
· Property owners who are victims of graffiti vandalism and do not remove the graffiti in a timely manner will be notified by Community Preservation of their obligation to remove the graffiti. Continued failure to remove the graffiti may result in prosecution.
MISCELLANEOUS
Noise
· Sound produced in excess of established sound pressure levels are violations of the Anaheim Municipal Code.
Vendors
· Motorized vendors are allowed in residential and commercial zones. They must maintain a business license and a Vendors Permit and may remain in one location on a limited basis.
· Pushcarts are strictly prohibited.
Trash cans
· Trash and recycle cans must be stored in an area not visible from the street. The cans should be placed at the curb not more than 24 hours before scheduled pickup and removed within 24 hours of being emptied.
· Scavenging, removing items from trash or recycle cans, is prohibited.
PLANNING A GARAGE/ YARD SALE?
Here are some things you should know...
The number of garage sales in Anaheim has increased and some are causing inconveniences to neighbors. Garage/yard sales range from selling unwanted household goods (no problem if not on a continual basis) to conducting actual retail businesses where items have been purchased elsewhere for resale at a garage/yard sale (many potential problems).
Everyone understands how easily items we no longer want, can accumulate in our homes. These are items that are traditionally sold at "garage /yard sales". Once, twice, or maybe three times a year, household goods are displayed in our driveways in hopes of selling all the things we've been tripping over for the past few months. (We do this to make room for the new clutter we know will accumulate!) Garage/yard sales were invented for just this purpose. • Webster's Dictionary defines garage sales as "the sale of used household or personal hems, furniture, tools, or clothing, held on the sellers own premises". Our neighbors understand this type of sale and they usually overlook any temporary inconveniences caused by noise, traffic or homemade signs. However, if a garage/yard sale is held every weekend or new items are continually sold, the inconveniences become more permanent to your neighbors. A residential neighborhood is, after all, a place where people should be able to live in peace and harmony; it is not a business district.
The increased number of complaints about garage/yard sales that are actually retail businesses conducted on a regular basis has prompted the City to review its policy regarding such sales. Strictly speaking, the Anaheim Municipal Code does not permit garage/yard sales, but the City's policy is not to take any action unless the sales continue over many weekends, or if they become a commercial business, (selling items which have been purchased for resale), or otherwise causing a neighborhood disturbance.
We depend on your assistance to solve this problem. Your voluntary compliance with the following guidelines will help eliminate the problems associated with commercial and continual garage/yard sales, keep your neighborhood free from unsightly garage/yard sale signs, and insure that the quality of life is maintained in our residential neighborhoods.
GUIDELINES
A garage/yard sale is for selling used or unwanted household or personal items, furniture, tools or clothing from your own property on an infrequent basis (1 to 3 times per year). New merchandise or other items purchased for resale are not typical garage/yard sale merchandise.
1. Garage/yard sale merchandise and activities cannot be displayed or conducted on any public property, including sidewalks, streets, alleys and parkways.
2. Garage/yard sales cannot be held continually from weekend to weekend. Remember, your garage/yard sale may disturb your neighbors. A good rule of thumb is: no more than three (3) garage/yard sales per year.
3. Garage/yard sale signs cannot be displaced, placed or posted on telephone poles, traffic signals, street signs, street lights or city trees. Remember, be courteous to your neighbors and keep your neighborhood neat and clean, take your signs down when the sale is over.
If the City and its residents work together, we can stop the increasing number of continuous and commercial garage/yard sales that can be an eyesore to our neighborhoods and a detriment to our community.
If you have any questions concerning garage/yard sales, or wish to complain about an on-going or commercial garage/yard sale, please call the
City of Anaheim
Community Preservation Division at (714) 7655158
HOW TO FILE A REQUEST FOR SERVICE
Requests for service may be filed with the Community Preservation Division in person, by mail, by telephone or via the web at www.anaheim.net.
1. Give your name, address and telephone number so we can report back to you. All reports are kept confidential.
2. Give the location of the problem and the address, including street name and number.
3. Identify the specific issue or nuisance including description, type of problem and vehicle license number if applicable.
Your request for service will be assigned to the area officer and will be addressed as soon as possible. The area officer will inspect the location and if a violation is observed, the property owner/ tenant may be subject to criminal prosecution.
City of AnaheimCommunity Preservation Services
200 S. Anaheim Blvd. 5th floorAnaheim, CA 92805
Community-Preservation©anaheim.net
The City of Anaheim Community Presentation Division makes every effort toproduce and publish the most current and accurate information possible.However, no warranties, expressed or implied, are provided for the data herein,its use, or its interpretation.
