A Guide to Code Enforcement

As part of the Planning Department, the mission of Code Enforcement in the City of Irwindale is to ensure the health and safety of residents and to improve the quality of life and the appearance of the City.

Code Enforcement along with other city staff accomplishes this mission by working closely with City residents and by enforcing and gaining compliance with City Municipal Codes and State laws dealing with health and safety, property use and maintenance, and public nuisances.

The City of Irwindale has developed and adopted certain City Codes that assist in keeping our neighborhoods and City safer and aesthetically pleasing. If you observe any of the following conditions Code Enforcement can provide assistance.

•	Broken and discarded furniture or household appliances stored in public view.
•	Accumulation of refuse, waste, or trash and debris in public view.
•	Inoperable or abandoned vehicles and vehicle parts stored in public view.
•	Graffiti observed on public or private property.
•	Properties with overgrown weed and vegetation requiring weed abatement.
•	Unlicensed or illegal businesses or vendors.

How to file a complaint

Complaints may be filed with the Code Enforcement Division in person at City Hall, by mail, e-mail, or by telephone in the following manner:

1.	Provide the location of the problem, street name and house number. If the address is unknown, provide location of the property (i.e., northwest corner of Arrow Hwy. and Irwindale Ave. etc.)
2.	Identify the specific complaint or nuisance.
3.	Give specific information of complaint (i.e., description of area; make, model, and license of vehicles involved; type of refuse or debris; location of nuisance on property, etc.)
4.	Provide your name, address and telephone number. This allows officers to return your call and obtain further information from you regarding your complaint. This information is essential and is strictly confidential.

Complaints or questions for Code Enforcement call 626-430-2206 E-mail:

code@ ci.irwindale.ca.us code@ ci.irwindale.ca.us

Land Uses

•	Commercial uses are prohibited in residential zones.
•	Outside yard uses in the Commercial and manufacturing zones must be enclosed with a minimum six-foot high decorative masonry wall.
•	All off-street parking areas, including driveways, aisles, and access shall be paved with asphaltic pavement or equivalent materials.
•	A Conditional Use Permit (CUP) is required for all restaurants, entertainment businesses, service stations, and for all outdoor storage of contractor supplies in all commercial zones.
•	A Conditional Use Permit is also required for all uses which involve the use, sale, or storage of any materials classified as toxic or hazardous by either the Federal or State Government as a substantial part of the total use.

     Planning and Zoning questions call 626-430-2208

Commercial Vehicles, Trailers, and Inoperable Vehicles

•	Vehicles must be parked on a paved surface and may not block sidewalks.
•	Commercial vehicles such as tractor cabs and trailers cannot be parked in residential neighborhoods, except when loading or unloading.
•	Inoperative vehicles must be stored out of public view in an enclosed structure or in a licensed dismantling yard or removed from the property.

Business License Requirements

•	All persons conducting any business, profession, trade, or occupation of any kind within the City of Irwindale requires a City Business License.
•	Any Business proposing to occupy a building or space within the City of Irwindale must apply and obtain an Occupancy Permit from the Building and Safety Department.
•	All Business License Certificates must be displayed prominently on the premises in public view.

Business License

questions call 626-430-2205

Building Permits

A Building Permit is required for:

•	Any alteration, construction, connection, improvement, repair, movement, conversion or demolition to any new or existing building or structure.
•	Installation of advertisement or display sign.
•	Any Storage rack over 8 feet tall.
•	Any chain link fence over 12 feet in height or any other fence over 6 feet in height.
•	An Electrical Permit is required for installation of new electrical service or for repair, addition, or alteration to any existing service.
•	A Plumbing Permit is required for installation of new plumbing service or for addition or alteration to any existing service.

Permit questions call 626-430-2205

Other Agency Assistance

Los Angeles County Animal Control
626-962-3577

http://animalcontrol.co.la.ca.us/html/Main1.htm
Animal violations including barking or stray dogs, confined stray cats, unsanitary animals, and animal licensing.

Los Angeles County Health Department
626-813-3380
www.ladhs.org
Food related complaints such as unsanitary conditions in restaurants and possible food poisoning.

San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District
626-814-9466
www.sgvmosquito.org
Pest and vermin complaints such as rats, mosquitoes, flies, bees, or other pests.

Southern California Air Quality Management District (AQMD)
800-CUT-SMOG
www.aqmd.gov
Air quality complaints such as dust, odors, smoking vehicles or smog from businesses.

Los Angeles County Fire Department
626-444-2581
www.lacofd.org

Irwindale Police Department
626-962-3601

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY DIAL "911"