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Code Enforcement

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The City of Clayton takes great pride in in maintaining and preserving its neighborhoods. Clayton has municipal codes, policies, and rules regulating activities and conditions to help keep your neighborhood healthy, safe, and attractive. The Code Enforcement program staff works with the residents and businesses to ensure the community’s goals are accomplished such as protecting property values and the environment.

What is a Code Violation?

Violations of the City of Clayton’s Municipal Code are considered to be nuisances and blight that detract from the quality and safety of the neighborhood. Recognizing the importance of maintaining healthy, safe, and attractive neighborhoods, the City of Clayton has adopted codes or laws pertaining to the maintenance and use of private property.

What is NOT a Code Violation?

There are some neighborhood matters that do not fall within the City’s jurisdiction. The City will act only on behalf of the public at large and will not take action on behalf of one citizen against another. Further, the City does not enforce Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) associated with a Homeowners Association nor does the City take action on behalf of one citizen against another.

For additional information regarding City regulations, please the Clayton Citizens Guide .

Main Telephone Line	(925) 673-7300
Air Quality Bay Area Air Quality Management District Dust, wood smoke, Spare the Air	(415) 749-5000
Animal Control Contra Costa County Barking dogs, loose or dead animals	(925) 335-8300
Business License New and renewal of business licenses	(925) 215-4514
Building Division/Inspection Contra Costa County Building code requirements and inspection	(925) 674-7200
Building Code/Permit Violations City of Clayton Illegal building construction, building permits, new construction	(925) 673-7300
Engineering Encroachment permits, traffic signal issues, oversized loads	(925) 673-7300
Fire Department Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Weed abatement, fire prevention	(925) 941-3300
Landscape Maintenance
Overgrown vegetation in parks or on City property	(925) 673-7327
Overgrown vegetation on private property	(925) 673-7300
Library Clayton	(925) 673-0659
Maintenance Debris in the street, street light out, potholes, irrigation leaks, damaged traffic control signs	(925) 673-7327
Mosquito and Vector Control Mosquitoes, rats and mice, ticks, ground nesting yellow jackets, and skunks	(925) 685-9301
Planning Tree removal permits, noise permits, land use applications, zoning information	(925) 673-7300
Police Department (non-emergency) Disturbing the peace, illegally parked cars on street, RV permits, vacation house watch, bicycle license, parking tickets	(925) 673-7350
Pollution Prevention Engine oil or vehicle fluid run-off, illegal discharge into storm drains or creeks	(925) 673-7308
Solid Waste Republic Services Service requests or garbage not picked up	(925) 685-4711
Vehicle Abatement
Abandoned on the street	(925) 673-7350
Inoperative on private property	(925) 673-7300
Water Contra Costa Water District New service request, water rates, water conservation	(925) 688-8000

Basketball Hoops

Portable basketball hoops cannot be stored or left unattended on a public sidewalk or on a public street, CMC Section 12.04.010.

Building Permits

Building permits need to be obtained for most construction work including retaining walls over three feet and accessory structures, such as patio covers and arbors. For more information, please see the Building page or contact the Contra Costa County Building Inspection Division at (925) 674-7200.

Garbage and Recycling Container Storage

Garbage and recycling containers must be stored out of public view. The carts can be placed curbside no earlier than 12:00 p.m. the day preceding collection and shall be removed no later than 10:00 p.m. the day of collection. See CMC Section 8.04.110 for additional information.

Home Based Businesses

Certain types of businesses may be operated outside of your home; however a Home Occupation Permit is required to ensure your business is not violating the Municipal Code. For example, no merchandise or services can be for sale except that can be directly shipped or sold at another location. See CMC Section 17.71 for additional information.

How do I file a complaint?

Please call Code Enforcement at (925) 673-7300 or report the problem via the City’s website.

How do I report a basketball hoop located on a city street or sidewalk?

Please call Code Enforcement at (925) 673-7310 or report the problem via the City’s website.

How do I report garbage, debris, overgrown vegetation on private property?

Please call Code Enforcement at (925) 673-7300 or report the problem via the City’s website.

How do I report inoperable vehicles?

On private property, please call Code Enforcement at (925) 673-7300 or report the problem via the City’s website. On the street, please call the Clayton Police Department non-emergency number at (925) 673-7308.

How do I report loud music, loud party, radio, etc?

Please call the Clayton Police Department non-emergency number at (925) 673-7350.

I received a notice of violation, now what?

A Notice of Violation is NOT a citation. It is a notice of violation with instructions on how to correct the violation within the specified timeframe. The City’s aim is to seek voluntary compliance and will work with you to resolve the issue. The phone number of the officer who issued the Notice of Violation is located at the bottom of the notice and should be contacted with any questions.

My neighbor’s dog keeps barking, who do I call?

Please call Contra Costa County Animal Control at (925) 335-8300.

Property Maintenance

Properties within the City must be maintained in such a manner that no overgrown vegetation, broken windows, abandoned and broken equipment, junk, or piles of refuse are present. See CMC Section 8.08 for additional information.

Recreational Vehicle, Boat, Inoperative Vehicle, and Trailer Storage

These items, in addition to campers, watercrafts, box trailers, tractors, chippers, dirt bikes, and quads cannot be stored for more than 120 consecutive hours in public view. They may be stored in certain areas of lot provided they are substantially concealed from public view by a legally constructed six-foot solid fence. See CMC Section 17.76.010 for additional information.

Where can I store my RV and boats on my property?

Inoperable vehicles, recreational vehicles, campers, water crafts, box trailers, tractors, chippers, dirt bikes, and quads cannot be stored in public view for more than 120 consecutive hours.

Certain areas of a lot may be used for vehicle storage provided that the items are substantially concealed from view behind by a legally constructed, six-foot solid fence. Additionally vehicles may be stored inside of a garage or permissible backyard shed.

Where should my garbage and recycling carts be stored?