Code Enforcement

Commercial Code Enforcement focuses on the property maintenance conditions of properties zoned as commercial and industrial. Common issues that are investigated include general property maintenance, graffiti, donation bins without permits, business license, zoning violations, NPDES violations, unpermitted construction, and massage establishment inspections. Community Improvement works closely with the property owner and Economic Development to improve these properties and promote a healthier economic environment.

Community Improvement Inspectors primarily receive concerns related to residential properties. This may include substandard conditions, public nuisances, unpermitted construction, zoning violations, and unpermitted dwelling units. The City has a dedicated Community Improvement Inspector for residential properties within a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) tract. The goal of the CDBG Program is to improve the health and safety of living conditions and reduce blight. 

The City's Rent Stabilization Ordinance is codified in Article XI, Chapter 18 of the Azusa Municipal Code. On September 19, 2022, the Azusa City Council adopted certain changes to the City’s Mobilehome Park RSO. Most of these changes clarify certain existing provisions in the RSO, update requirements imposed by state law, and modify provisions authorizing rent increases. These changes became effective on October 19, 2022. To learn more, please visit Mobilehome Park RSO | Azusa, CA - Official Website.

A business license and rental registration is required for qualifying rental properties on an annual basis. In 1989 the City established a Residential Rental Registration and Inspection Program. This program began as an attempt to address the issue of substandard rental properties, combat deteriorating housing conditions (which were attributed to absentee rental property owners), promote greater compliance with health and safety standards and preserve the quality of Azusa’s neighborhoods and available housing.

 Applies to the following rental properties:

• Single Family Dwellings
• Duplexes
• Apartment Complexes
• Multi-Family

This does not apply to:

• Owner-occupied dwellings
• Mobilehome parks
• Condominiums, townhouses, and dwellings with a planned unity development

A business license is required per AMC 18-9. An annual inspection shall be conducted (AMC 14-355). When violations are found, owner will be charged for re-inspections (AMC 14-356).

For questions related to this program, please contact our Rental Program Inspector. 

Effective September 19, 2016, Azusa City Council adopted the Registration and Maintenance of Vacant and Abandoned Commercial, Industrial and Residential Properties Ordinance (2016-007).  It is the purpose and intent of the city council, through the adoption of this article, to define the responsibilities of owners of, and to establish registration and monitoring programs for, vacant commercial, industrial and residential buildings and properties.

Vacant or Abandoned Property Application: Registration-Form-for-Abandoned-Vacant-Property-

As part of Ordinance 2016-O7, property owners are required to be posted with the name and twenty four (24) hour contact phone number of the local property management company.

The posting:
 
 • Should be at least 18 inches by 24 inches;
 • Should be posted on the interior of a window facing the street to the front of the property or secured to the exterior of the building/structure of the property. Please note: exterior postings must be constructed of and printed with weather resistant materials.
 • Must include the following verbiage: “This property is managed by________, and To report problems or concerns call (name and number).”

For your convenience, a fillable form is available at the link below. Please fill out the form, print and post on your property. CLICK HERE Local-Property-Management-Posting

In an effort to assist property owners in driving economic development to vacant commercial or industrial properties, property owners, at their discretion, are welcomed to upload their marketing profile sheet for their property or property listing.
 
Profile sheets/property listings will be posted on the City’s website as well as the San Gabriel Valley Economic Development PowerSite website readily available for interested tenants, developers and investors. If you already have a Property Profile Sheet, you can upload it here.

If you do not have a Property Profile Sheet, please complete this form.

Prior to entering into an agreement of sale of any property, the owner or his/her authorized representative shall obtain from the City a Real Property Records Report (RPRR) pre-sale inspection application (AMC 14-326). Please allow for up to 10 business days for the City to process the application, conduct the inspection and issue a report to the requesting party. The time period begins after the City has received the completed RPRR application, signed Consent to Inspect form, and payment processed.

The completed RPRR shall be provided BY the property owner or authorized designated representative of the owner, to the buyer or transferee of the property prior to the execution of the agreement of sale. The buyer or transferee shall execute a receipt therefore as furnished by the City, and the receipt shall be delivered to the Community Improvement Division as evidence of compliance with this section.

Effective October 19, 2023

This article shall not apply to the following: 
 (1) The first sale of residential or commercial buildings or condominiums located in a subdivision whose final map has been approved and recorded in accordance with the Subdivision Map Act not more than two years prior to the first sale. 
 (2) Mobilehomes and trailers occupying land on a month-to-month rental or annual lease agreement where land sales are not involved and the use is in compliance with local zoning requirements. 
 (3) Buildings and properties acquired or conveyed by the city. 
(4) Condominiums, townhouses, dwellings with a planned unit development (PUD), units within a homeowners association (HOA). 
(5) Single Family Residences built after the year 2000.

Real Property Records Report Application: Application-RPRR

Pursuant to California Senate Bill 946, City Council adopted Urgency Ordinance 2018-05, which became effective on December 17, 2018. This ordinance established regulations for Sidewalk Vending in the City of Azusa.

Permit Requirements

• For sidewalk vendors selling food, obtain a Public Health Permit from the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health and provide proof of same.
• Provide a description of the food or merchandise offered for sale.
• Provide a description of the area(s) the applicant intends to operate.
• Obtain a business license from the City of Azusa.

To learn more about the requirements for sidewalk vending, please visit: https://library.municode.com/ca/azusa/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=MUCO_CH18BU_ARTXXIIISIVE

To get started, please contact Business Licensing at (626) 812-5249

In the City of Azusa, Yard Sales may only be conducted on the first weekend (Sat/Sun) of the following months:

• April (specific weekend declared by the City to be the “clean and green” weekend)
• June
• September
• December

Please note that yard sales can only occur on Saturday and Sunday. Yard sales are FREE and do not require a permit. For more information, please view the city's Yard Sale Ordinance.

Regulations

1. Sales can only take place from residential property between the hours of 8:00am and 6:00pm Saturday and Sunday
2. All items must be used and not manufactured or acquired from elsewhere for resale
3. No signs can be posted on public property (utility poles, light poles, street signs, or in the parkway)
4. Sales may not be held on public sidewalks, parkways, streets, or alleys
5. Food is not permitted to be sold at the these events
6. Persons holding illegal sales are subject to fines up to $500

For Remodelers, Renovators, Contractor, & Landlords

Federal law requires distribution of a lead hazard information pamphlet (PDF) before starting a renovation.

The California Contractor's State License Board provides important information for contractors who work on pre-1978 buildings on its website. Training for your personnel may be required.

New federal lead-based paint regulations apply to you if:

• Your work involves pre-1978 houses or apartments.
• You receive any form of compensation for your work.
• You disturb more than two square feet of painted surfaces.
• Your work is not specifically excluded from this law.

Specific requirements depend on the following criteria:

In owner-occupied housing you must:

Provide an EPA-approved lead information to owner and get written acknowledgment of receipt, or mail the pamphlet to owner seven days prior to renovation with certificate of mailing.

In tenant-occupied housing you must:

Provide an EPA-approved pamphlet to both building owner and adult occupant, or mail the pamphlet to owner and occupants seven days prior to renovation with certificate of mailing.

If attempted delivery to adult occupant fails, you may leave the pamphlet at the unit.

For renovations in common areas of multi-family housing, you must:

• Provide an EPA-approved pamphlet to building owner or mail the pamphlet to owner seven days prior to renovation with certificate of mailing.
• Provide notice to each tenant describing the nature/location/timing of renovation and make available EPA-approved pamphlet free upon request.

Links

More information is available from the Environmental Protection Agency's website at https://www.epa.gov/lead.

and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at 800-524-5323 or http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/lead/.