Violation Reporting Process

Identifying Code Violations

Code Enforcement coordinates with the Citrus Heights Police Department Problem Oriented Policing Unit on long-term solutions to continuous neighborhood problems. The code enforcement process is initiated by observations made by residents. The city relies on residents to help identify code violations, particularly in the following areas:

  • Graffiti on private, residential, or commercial property
  • Junk and rubbish in public view on private, residential, or commercial property
  • Inoperable and unregistered vehicles on private property
  • Overgrown lawns and vacant lots
  • Illegal or unpermitted business operations on residential property
  • Unpermitted signs
  • Commercial vehicles parked on private property in residential zones
  • Abandoned, foreclosed home blight issues and boarded buildings
  • Deteriorated fencing on private property
  • Interior housing issues including but not limited to water intrusion, lack of smoke detectors or weatherstripping, extreme unsanitary premises, broken windows and doors, and exposed wiring
  • Offensive odors as they relate to animal feces or other causes
  • The keeping of farm animals on properties not zoned for that purpose
  • Major automotive repair being conducted and vehicles on jacks more than 24 hours on residential properties

Notifying the City of a Possible Code Violation

In an average year, the city receives several thousand complaints related to possible code violations. You may use any of the following methods to notify us:

Providing Specific Possible Code Violation Information

Complaints may be made anonymously. The identity and your complaint will not be disclosed. Please be prepared with specific information such as:

  • The address of the property
  • Detailed description of the situation
  • Length of time you have observed the situation

Following Up on Possible Code Violations

City staff responds to code enforcement complaints according to the seriousness of the violation and its effect on the community. Situations that appear to pose a serious risk to health and safety are given top priority. Others are pursued in the order in which they are received.

For all types of code complaints, the 1st step in the follow-up procedure is personal contact by a city staff member to ascertain if a code violation exists and to request compliance. If the individual responsible for the situation is not available or appears unwilling to voluntarily correct the code violation in a timely manner, a notice of violation or a citation may be issued. The city may also take court action if the situation poses a significant risk to the community, or if the individual has ignored previous notices / citations.

Code Violation Penalties

In all cases, the individual responsible for the code violation is given the opportunity to voluntarily correct the situation and comply with current codes without a penalty. If the correction is not made, then the individual may be subject to fines and other penalties.