Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find information that might help you understand how to find things or learn about information you might need to know about your city or town.
Code Enforcement
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Code Enforcement
The Code Enforcement Division is dedicated to maintaining and improving the quality of life in the City of Richmond by enforcing provisions of the Richmond Municipal Code related to neighborhood and property standards.
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Code Enforcement
Yes. All residences and businesses in the City of Richmond must have an address posted. Residences numbers shall be no less than 4" and business numbers shall be no less than least 6" and visible from the public right-of-way.
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Code Enforcement
Contact the citing Officer at the listed number or visit the Code Enforcement Division within the listed 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.
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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.Code Enforcement
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Code Enforcement
We do not give out the source of the complaints. Code Enforcement receives complaints from a number of sources including internal referrals, outside agencies, and the general public.
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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.Code Enforcement
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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.Code Enforcement
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Code Enforcement
If you suspect there is a code violation on another property, please contact Code Enforcement with the address of the violation. 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.
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Code Enforcement
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 at 510-620-6706 to determine your setbacks for the type of structure you wish to build.
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Code Enforcement
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.
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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.Code Enforcement
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Code Enforcement
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.
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Code Enforcement
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 issue a Release of Lien Notice that you will need to record with Contra Costa County Assessor’s Office. Contact Code Enforcement Administrative staff at 510-621-1279 for additional information.
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See attached hints-Code Enforcement