311 Call Center Logo

Outside the City: 916-264-5011

Code Enforcement Department
Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How do I know if the address or location of a code violation is located within the Sacramento City limits?  Check the street signs.  If the street signs have a green background with white lettering with the block number (i.e. 7500) illustrated and a white strip above and below the street name or number, the address or location is within the Sacramento City limits.  In the County, street signs have a white background with black lettering.  Call County Code Enforcement at (916) 875-5656. 

    Call 311 at any time 24/7 including holidays or Code Enforcement at (916) 808-5948 Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  If you are calling from outside the City about a complaint within the City limits, call 916-808-5011. Click here for the On-Line Complaint form.

  2. How do I report an abandoned vehicle?
    In the City, call 311. If you are calling from outside the City, call 916-264-5011.
    In the County, call Code Enforcement at (916) 875-5656.

  3. How do I report loud music, radio, car stereo, loud party, etc. in the City?
    Call 311.

  4. How do I report graffiti within the City?
    Call 311. If you are calling from outside the City, call 916-264-5011.

  5. How do I report illegal dumping in progress within the City limits?
    Call 311.

  6. How do I report illegal dumping that has already taken place in the City limits?
    Call 311. If you are calling from outside the City, call 916-264-5011.

  7. How do I report broken down, inoperable vehicles or piles of junk in the yard of City property?
    Call 311. If you are calling from outside the City, call 916-264-5011.

  8. Am I responsible for pre-existing problems on a property I purchase?
    Yes. The property owner is responsible.

  9. What happens after I receive a notice from the City to correct neighborhood code violations?
    The violator and/or property owner may have up to 30 days to correct the violation or to appeal the notice. Immediately dangerous situations must be remedied right away.

  10. Why should I be responsible for upkeep at my property? My tenant is responsible for the problems.
    Property owners are ultimately responsible for all repairs and upkeep to their properties.

  11. What does and doesn’t require a City building permit?
    Call the Building Inspections Department at 808-5716 or check UPC (Uniform Plumbing Code) Section 103; UMC (Uniform Mechanical Code) Section 112; or UBC 103.1 (Uniform Building Code).

  12. What happens after I receive a notice from the City to correct housing and building violations? The responsible party may have up to 30 days to correct the violation or to appeal the notice. After commencing work, the responsible party has 60 days to complete the work. Immediately dangerous situations must be remedied right away.

  13. To request a payoff demand status for the amount due on a case what do I need to do? Fax or mail (must be in written form) your request and the recorded document, or the document prompting your call, to fax 916-808-7722. You may expect a response in 10 business days (depending on the current volume of demand requests). If you need further information, please call (916) 808-5404 and you will be directed to the appropriate accounting staff or inspector/code officer.

  14. What happens after I file an appeal?
    Information and instructions regarding your appeal, including information for prospective witnesses, can be found in Instructions Regarding Your Appeal (pdf). Note: This file is compatible with Adobe Acrobat 5 and all later versions. Get free Adobe Acrobat Reader