Home Oakley City of Oakley Explains Community Enhancement through Code Enforcement

City of Oakley Explains Community Enhancement through Code Enforcement

by ECT

The focus of Oakley’s Code Enforcement effort is to ensure Oakley remains a highly desirable place for both families and businesses to live and thrive.

To ensure this objective is met, Code Enforcement is sometimes forced to “act as the bad guy” and point out to residents and owners certain violations being committed that are adversely affecting the City’s appearance and quality of life.

The purpose of this article is to explain what the most common violations are and why they’re a part of our City Codes. In turn, it’s hoped this will encourage both better compliance and embolden each of us to report suspected violations.

Without a doubt, the most common violations deal with the prevention of blight. Blight can take many forms, but it basically concerns properties not being taken care of and, in turn, harming neighborhood property values.

Violations in this category usually deal with inoperable‐appearing cars (flat tires, body damage, etc.) parked in public view, or parking vehicles of any kind on unimproved surfaces such as grass or dirt. Poor landscaping and property maintenance also fall into this category. When a resident fails to keep their landscaping in check, or doesn’t repair a leaning fence or a broken garage door, it sends a signal that “they don’t care.” This attitude can quickly become contagious and the result is not a desirable one! Leaving appliances and other personal property and debris out in public view also sends the same message.

Two of the more controversial Codes enforced have to do with basketball hoops and garbage cans. Basketball hoops (or any other piece of sports equipment) are not permitted to be on the street, gutter or sidewalk . On the sidewalk the hoops block the right‐of‐way for pedestrians. If left in the street, gutters can become clogged and lead to storm drainage issues. Additionally, these objects hinder the response of emergency vehicles and the ability of the street sweeper to do its job.

Another divisive violation is having garbage cans in public view more than 24 hours after pickup. Many residents are not aware of nor understand why it’s a violation. Garbage cans are unsightly and do not lend to promoting attractive neighborhoods. Leaving them in public view once again sends a message to our neighbors and the public that we’re not concerned with our appearance and will eventually lead to blight.

The majority of rules and regulations dealing with our quality of life are contained in the “Neighborhood Preservation” Chapter of our Municipal Code. It’s not inaccurate to state that these codes directly affect our residential areas more than any other zoning district. This is because a resident’s quality of life is heavily dependent on their ability to enjoy their time away from work while at home. Please be respectful of others and follow the guidelines set forth by your elected representatives. Remember, higher property values directly correlate to better school funding and improved citizen services. Hence, a better quality of life!

If you wish to report a violation please contact us at [email protected] or by calling us at 925‐625‐7031. All calls and emails are anonymous.

The following are typical neighborhood problems many of us don’t realize are part of our responsibilities.

Common Violations

  • Garbage Cans in public view more than 24 hours after scheduled pick up
  • Cars or Boats parked on unimproved surfaces such as dirt or grass
  • Basketball Hoops in the street or on the sidewalk
  • Inoperable Vehicles in Public View
  • Overgrown Weeds
  • Dead Grass or Plants/Un‐Maintained Landscaping
  • Garage Sale Signs posted on Public Property (Medians/Traffic Signal Poles)
  • Debris (Construction Material, Tires, Appliances, etc.)
  • No Garbage Service

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