Frequently Asked Questions

The process may begin with either a complaint filed by a resident or business or by City Staff observing a problem through the City's Code Enforcement program. The City has a Code Enforcement Officer whose responsibility is to investigate complaints of property maintenance and Municipal Code violations. The City's Code Enforcement Officer also periodically patrols the City proactively to ensure compliance with the City's property maintenance and Municipal Code provisions. Most often, a code enforcement action is initiated through a complaint filed by a resident or business.

After a complaint is received, an inspection is made to determine the validity, nature, and extent of the concern. If a code violation is observed, the property owner is informed and given an opportunity to bring the property into compliance. If corrective action is not completed in a reasonable manner or time and after repeated attempts on the part of the Code Enforcement Officer to resolve the issue(s) the City may, as a last resort issue an administrative citation or file a criminal complaint with the City Prosecutor's office. However, the primary goal is to resolve the code violation through voluntary compliance and the vast majority of cases are resolved in this manner.

An administrative citation is similar to a parking ticket in that appearance before a judge or magistrate is not required. Fines are significant and are $100, $200, and $500 respectively for the first, second, third and continuing violations. Payment of administrative fines must be made to the City within 15 calendar days.

Noise in residential areas is restricted by time of day, as well as the intensity level and duration of the noise event. The noise ordinance is designed to address recurring noise sources such as pool pumps/motors, air conditioning units, and other stationary noise sources. For noise sources such as loud parties, vehicles, or music please contact the Los Alamitos Police Department at 562-431-2255.

The City's Noise Ordinance prohibits the operation of motorized landscaping equipment before 7 am and after 8 pm, Monday through Saturday. Operation of such equipment is prohibited on Sunday and federal holidays.

Construction related noise is allowed from 7 am to 8 pm, Monday through Saturday and prohibited on Sunday and federal holidays.

No. Privately owned sporting equipment such as basketball backboard structures, hockey nets, skateboard ramps and similar items may not be permanently left in the public right-of-way. The public right-of-way includes the:

• Alleys
• Driveway apron
• Parkway
• Sidewalk
• Street

Residents are asked to put these items back on their private property once they are done using them so that street sweepers and other equipment may access the area.

Trash containers may not be placed at the point of pickup before 6 pm on the day preceding pickup and must be removed before 1 am on the day following pickup. Additionally, trash cans must be stored in an area not visible from the public right-of-way.

Each household receives free quarterly collection pick-ups per year (up to four items), and quarterly household hazardous waste (HHW) collection. To schedule a bulky item pick-up or HHW collection, please contact the Universal Waste Systems (UWS) customer service team at (562) 941-4900. 

Large items are generally picked-up on Thursdays, so discarded items should not be placed on the parkway for removal until the evening prior to the scheduled pick-up.

https://www.uwscompany.com/los-alamitos/

No. Peaceful resolution of issues in civil matters is encouraged. Please refer to the City's Municipal Code Section, 17.14.070 (B1) for additional information.

No. Estate, garage, or yard sale events are allowed without a permit so long that no more than 3 events are held within a 12 month period and each event is for no longer than 3 consecutive days. Please note that posting of garage sale signs are prohibited and property owner's are limited to one sign on their property.

Except in the instance of an animal shop as provided in Section 6.16.060, no person shall keep or maintain more than 3 licensed dogs and 3 cats, over the age of 4 months, on any lot or parcel of land within the City unless first obtaining a permit therefore. Such permit shall be required in addition to tags or other licenses which may be required by this title. The director may issue a permit for the keeping of 4 or more dogs or cats in his or her discretion, giving particular concern to the safety and comfort of such animals and the inhabitants of the neighborhood. The permit shall specify the number and types of animals authorized to be kept there under and may contain conditions as deemed necessary by the director.

Such permit shall be nontransferable and must be renewed annually. Permit fees shall be established by contract with the city of Long Beach or otherwise set by resolution of the City Council (Ordinance 647 § 3 (part), 2001).

Yes, but temporarily during loading or unloading of mobile home, cannot be used for sleeping purposes, cannot extend any compartments over street or any public right of way, cannot use extension cords from vehicle to dwelling over public right of ways.

There is no overnight sleeping allowed in an RV parked on the street. You can purchase a temporary Oversized Vehicle Parking Permit for recreational vehicles owned by visitors or house guests temporarily visiting in the City.

Yes. You may purchase up to 3 (QTY) total 3-day Oversized Vehicle Parking permits per month. ***not to exceed 9 consecutive days.

No. The City's Municipal Code prohibits parking vehicles on lawns, landscaped areas, and other unpaved surfaces (Los Alamitos Municipal Code 8.32.020). As a transient violation, you will be subject to the issuance of an administrative citation with a fine of $100, $200 and $500 for the first, second, and continuing violation thereafter (Los Alamitos Municipal Code 1.24.040.C).

The City of Los Alamitos contracts for animal control services with the City of Long Beach. Complaints or inquiries may be made directly to Animal Control at 714-935-6848.

The City of Los Alamitos contracts with the County of Orange for Vector Control services. Vector control may be contacted directly at 714-971-2421.

Yes, however a "Temporary Sign Permit" (TUP) is required. For additional information, please contact the Planning Department at 562-431-3538, ext. 302.

Yes, the City does allow "home-occupations" to be operated from residences subject to operators obtaining a "Home Occupation Permit", a business tax certificate, and complying with various regulatory conditions. Home occupation permits business tax certificates may be obtained at the City's Development Services Department. Additional information can be found on the City's Business License website.

The Code Enforcement Division responds to complaints of violation of the City's Municipal Code and Zoning Ordinance. You may contact the City's Code Enforcement Officer at 562-431-3538 to discuss matters relating to Code violations, learn what issues or conditions constitute a violation of the City's codes, and request further investigation by the Code Enforcement Officer.

No. The City of Los Alamitos routinely accepts anonymous complaints, investigates, and resolves such complaints in the same manner as concerns raised by identified complainants.

Drones are also known as Unmanned Aircraft Systems, or UAS. The Federal Aviation Administration has a website concerning the subject of drones, including information and education on the Unmanned Aircraft Systems page of their website. If you have drone-related questions about the local ordinances and guidelines, please call Steven Mendoza at 562-431-3538, ext. 300.

Code enforcement is part of the City's Development Services Department. The Code Enforcement Officer may be contacted directly at 562-431-3538, ext. 304.

Code Enforcement responds to complaints related to graffiti. Depending on the type of graffiti and location will depend on the type of response taken which could be removed by the property owner, City Public Works Division, or tenants.