Code Compliance Services

The Code Compliance Division primarily investigates complaints of violations of the San Clemente Municipal Code (SCMC), and other laws the division has the responsibility to enforce. Please refer to the section below, “Other Issues Enforced By Separate Agencies,” for a list of complaints commonly filed with the Code Compliance Division that should be directed to other enforcement agencies. 

Common Violations Investigated by Code Compliance

• Boarding houses
• Commercial signage and banners
• Discharge from construction sites
• Discharge to/from storm drains
• Fence height issues
• Hoarding
• Liquid spills on streets
• Overgrown vegetation on private property 
• RV parking on private property
• Substandard housing
• Unlicensed businesses (Res. And Comm)
  
• Unpermitted camping
• Unpermitted residential units
• Vacation rentals
• Weeds on private property
  

For these issues, and other potential violations of the SCMC, please submit a complaint here:
www.san-clemente.org/complaints

Other Issues Enforced By Separate Agencies

The following list describes other violations often reported to the Code Compliance Division that should be reported to other divisions or agencies.

• Orange County Sheriff Department

  • Parking on public streets

  • Trespassing

• Coastal Animal Services Authority

  • Animal disturbances

• Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control

  • Rodent and insect infestations

• San Clemente Business Services Division

  • Unlicensed Businesses

• San Clemente Building Division

  • Unpermitted structures

  • Construction work without permits

• San Clemente Environmental Services Division

  • Trash and recycling container violations

  • Water polluting (discharging sewage or wash water into storm drains, for example)

• Orange County Fire Authority

  • Hillside vegetation fire hazards

• Orange County Healthcare Agency

  • Food handling issues

  • Restaurant cleanliness

Code Compliance works in partnership with citizens to ensure, improve, and maintain safe and desirable San Clemente neighborhoods.  If you believe that there is a violation near your home or business, you can:

1. Contact the Responsible Person. In those cases where you feel it is appropriate, contact the property, tenant, or business owner directly and attempt to solicit their cooperation in correcting the situation. After that method of compliance has failed, please feel free to call our office and discuss your situation with a member of our Code Compliance staff.

2. Request an Investigation.

Warning: We only accept certain types of anonymous complaints, so please be sure to provide the correct information regarding the potential violation. Please note that if the information is incorrect or insufficient, the investigation may be hampered and we will be unable to contact you.  Our ability to investigate allegations of violations of the San Clemente Municipal Code, which are not easily identified from public streets, is dependent on reliable and verifiable information that we can use to form the basis of an inspection request.  Anonymous complaints are much more likely to go uninvestigated due to a lack of information or access.  Submitting an anonymous complaint means that you understand the inherent limitations of such a submission, and that additional complaints of the same nature will not increase our ability to remedy the potential violation. Reporting party information is kept confidential under the Public Information Act, Government Code Section 6254(f).

 The code enforcement process is typically initiated after a member of the public submits a complaint.  If the complaint describes a violation of the SCMC, a case is created, and a Code Compliance Officer is assigned to investigate the alleged violation.  Based on a number of factors, such as seriousness of the violation, type of violation, etc., the Code Compliance Division may issue a Notice of Correction. If corrective action is not completed at the expiration of the Correction Notice, the City may issue an Administrative Citation or use other abatement procedures specified in the SCMC. The success of the Code Compliance Program depends, in large part upon each citizen acting as a good neighbor.

Mission 

The mission of Code Compliance in the City of San Clemente is to maintain a safe, healthy environment for our residents and visitors to live, work and play through assuring compliance with the City's land use, environmental and construction codes. In achieving this mission, the Code Compliance Division contributes to the long term stability of the City by protecting its economic vitality and diversity resulting in a vibrant, balanced community capable of addressing today’s needs and planning for tomorrow’s challenges. The Division will assure compliance by encouraging voluntary compliance and sanctioning code violators who do not comply willingly.

Code Enforcement Philosophy 

The City's policy is to obtain compliance with City Code in all cases of reported and verifiable code violations. The primary purpose of enforcement action is to obtain compliance, not to be punitive. As a result, the primary purpose of the Code Compliance division is to ensure the fulfillment of the City’s vision. Methods to obtain compliance should be based upon educating the public, transparency in all enforcement actions, and mutual respect for all parties involved in a consistently professional and courteous manner. Ensuring equitable enforcement with the finite amount of resources available to Code Compliance is a top priority. To achieve this goal, while providing the initiative to complete quality work with a deep sense of personal responsibility, a priority ranking is established for code enforcement. The procedures associated with these rankings will be designed to maximize the utilization of available resources and maintain the flexibility to seek win‐win solutions by creatively pursuing alternatives whenever possible.

In the coming months, more information about each geographic assignment area will be provided.  Until then, please use the following emails to contact the staff member assigned to each geographic area about any general issues or concerns you have.

Please note, if you would like to submit a complaint about a specific property or area, you can do so at www.san-clemente.org/complaints.  Submission of any specific complaints to the following email addresses will not initiate the automated violation alert that a complaint submitted online will, and the response to your concerns will be delayed.  If you would prefer to submit a complaint over the phone, you may do so by calling (949) 366-4705, 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week. 

Geographic Assignment Area 1 – ccarea1@san-clemente.org

Geographic Assignment Area 2 – ccarea2@san-clemente.org

Geographic Assignment Area 3 – ccarea3@san-clemente.org

Swing Shift Focus Area – ccswingshift@san-clemente.org

Since 1994, the City of San Clemente has been proud of the implementation of Volunteers into the Code Compliance Program. These Volunteers are concerned citizens and are the foundation of this program. The objective for the Volunteer is to work together with the City by assisting our code compliance efforts and better address the needs of San Clemente residents. Their efforts help preserve and improve residential neighborhoods and help make San Clemente a better place to live, work and play.

Citizen Code Compliance volunteers assume some simple tasks similar to those which are normally performed by Code Compliance personnel. You will not be asked to inspect your own neighborhood and no interior inspections of structures will be required.

How Do I Become a Code Compliance Volunteer?

• Complete a Code Compliance Volunteer Application
• Return the completed application and a photocopy of your California Driver’s license to our Human Resources Division at 100 Avenida Presidio, San Clemente, CA 92672.
• All volunteers will be issued a Volunteer City identification card.
• Once your Code Compliance training is completed you will then play an important role in keeping San Clemente beautiful!

Volunteers are requested to donate a minimum of four hours per week, and possess a valid California driver’s license.

No specific job experience is required, since you will be trained prior to assuming duties. Generally, you will be assigned field work with a partner.

Applicants will undergo a reference check and screening through the Department of Motor Vehicles.

There is no financial expense on your part. A marked City vehicle and necessary supplies will be provided by the City.

If you have additional questions or would like additional information regarding the Volunteer Code Compliance Program, please call the Code Compliance Division at (949) 366-4705. Thank you for your consideration in becoming a Code Compliance volunteer for the City of San Clemente. We need your assistance and know that you will find your service to the community both interesting and satisfying. Both you and the community will benefit from your service as a volunteer