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Property Maintenance
The City of Rancho Santa Margarita seeks to eliminate blight, improve the appearance of business and residential areas and create a community where all those who live, work and play can experience a sense of pride and well being. Your partnership is needed to achieve these goals. The City's Municipal Codes are designed to protect the residential atmosphere of your neighborhood as well as to prevent unsafe and unsightly use of property. By reporting violations of our codes, you allow us to work together to achieve the quality of life everyone wants to enjoy in Rancho Santa Margarita.
Common Violations
Those who own, lease, or occupy buildings or property are responsible for maintaining the property. Some common types of nuisance violations are indicated below:
Vegetation
Issues related to property maintenance can be called in 24 hours a day at 949-635-1800, ext. 6703. You may also make an online complaint through the City's Community Connection. Furthermore, your homeowners association or commercial maintenance association should also be able to assist in resolving issues certain issues.
Common Violations
Those who own, lease, or occupy buildings or property are responsible for maintaining the property. Some common types of nuisance violations are indicated below:
Vegetation
- Overgrown vegetation which causes harm to neighboring properties or causes unsafe conditions for those walking or driving.
- Dead trees or weeds that are unsightly and unsafe are likely to provide a home for rodents or insects.
- Swimming pools, ponds, or other standing water which is unsanitary or stagnant, or without self-closing gates or fences.
- Dry or dead shrubs, trees, or combustible materials may constitute a fire hazard.
- An obstacle or part of the landscape that obstructs the view of street signs, signals, or other directional signage
- Items, such as rubbish, debris, machinery or parts, furniture, inoperable vehicles, yard waste or junk of any kind are considered refuse/waste. The following is required:
- Containers for trash and recyclables must be stored in an area not visible from the street. Such containers should be placed at the curb not more than 24 hours before scheduled pickup and removed within 24 hours of being emptied.
- Scavenging or removing items from containers for trash and recyclables is prohibited.
- Two free bulky item pick-ups can be scheduled per address each calendar year by calling CR&R Inc. at 877-728-0446. CR&R also provides a semi-annual curbside clean up event. Residents subscribing to curbside collection service may place waste and bulky items out for pick up during one of our curbside clean up events. These events will be announced through the special insert in your quarterly CR&R billing statement.
- Noise produced in excess of 60 decibels may be a violation of the Rancho Santa Margarita Municipal Code.
- Noise created by construction or building repair is exempt from code requirements during the hours of 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. from Monday - Saturday (excluding Federal holidays).
- Using any building, or a portion of any building for living, sleeping, cooking, or dining is permitted only if it was built and approved for that purpose
- Occupancy in a garage as a living area is prohibited
- Using a nonresidential building, or any portion of that building, requires the approval of a Certificate of Use and Occupancy
Issues related to property maintenance can be called in 24 hours a day at 949-635-1800, ext. 6703. You may also make an online complaint through the City's Community Connection. Furthermore, your homeowners association or commercial maintenance association should also be able to assist in resolving issues certain issues.