What Happens When You File a Complaint?
To file a complaint regarding one of these regulations, please contact the
Community Compliance Section at 510-577-3260. Complaints will usually be
investigated within 3 - 5 business days after they are received. We first
determine if the condition violates City regulations. We then issue a Courtesy
Notice of Violation to allow the owner an opportunity to correct the condition.
If the condition is not corrected, the City will initiate action to obtain
legal compliance. This legal process may take 30 days or longer depending on
the type of violation. With voluntary compliance from a cooperative owner, you
may see the condition corrected within a few days. In any case, we move the
case through the enforcement process as quickly as possible. You are welcome
to call us at any time to learn the status of your complaint.
Important Neighborhood Regulations
Weeds
Weeds detract from the appearance of the neighborhood, create a fire
hazard and provide a breeding ground for rodents. The Weed Abatement
Ordinance requires that owners of property in the City control the growth
of weeds, shrubs, trees or other plants on the property. The property
must be maintained so that weeds and lawns do not exceed 18" in height.
Trees, bushes and other vegetation cannot protrude into the public right
of way. The ordinance also prohibits the accumulation of rubbish and
litter. Well maintained landscaping enriches the character of your home
and the community.
Community Preservation
The City of San Leandro has a Community Preservation Ordinance which
was adopted to preserve the quality and appearance of our residential,
commercial and industrial areas. This ordinance prohibits the storage
of items in areas of the property that are visible from the street.
Items such as boxes, garbage bags and cans, discarded household items
and furniture, packing containers, machine or vehicle parts, camper
shells and miscellaneous other items must be stored in areas that are
not visible from the street or sidewalk. Summaries of the ordinance
are available by contacting the Community Compliance Section.
Fences
The height and location of fences is regulated. In general, rear yard
fences cannot exceed 7 feet and fences built in the front yard cannot
exceed 3 feet in height. Front yard fences cannot be built in the public
right of way without first obtaining an encroachment permit from the
City. Property lines do not always begin where the sidewalk ends. In
most cases, the property line is anywhere from 1 to 3 feet in from the
inside edge of the sidewalk. If you do not know where your front property
line is, you should contact the Engineering Division at 510-577-3428.
They are also responsible for issuing encroachment permits. Special
regulations apply to corner lots. If your property is located on a corner
lot, call the Planning Division at 510-577-3371 so that we can fully
explain the regulations. Fence regulations can be confusing and cannot
be fully explained in this summary. Please call our office for further
clarification.
Home Businesses
Home businesses are permitted in the City of San Leandro when conducted
within limitations which protect the residential character of the property
and prohibit negative impact on neighboring properties. All home businesses
require a permit. If you are interested in operating a home business,
please contact the City Planning Division at 510-577-3371 for permit
information.
Garage Sales
Garage sales allow residents an opportunity to get rid of unwanted
household items. City policy permits a maximum of two garage sales per
residence, per year. All garage sale signs must be removed immediately
after the event.
Parking on the Lawn
Vehicles which are parked on the lawn, dirt or unpaved surface are
illegally parked and detract from the appearance of the neighborhood.
Vehicles must be parked on a paved driveway. City regulations limit
the amount and location of paved driveway area. So, if you are considering
adding additional paved area to be used for parking, be sure to contact
Community Compliance for further information.
Home Auto Repair
You can do minor repairs and routine maintenance on your own car in
your driveway, but only for a short time. The vehicle must be registered
to someone living at your address. It is illegal to work on vehicles
on the City street.
Campers, RV's, Boats and Trailers
Parking Rule Revisions From March 2007
Campers, trailers and boats can be parked in the driveway (but not on the lawn or dirt area). RVs must be parked
in the sideyard or backyard if there is reasonable access. If there is no reasonable access to park the RV in
the sideyard or backyard, it may be parked in the driveway as long as it does not extend out over the sidewalk.
It may not be left standing within 20 feet of the front yard or street side yard (corner lot) if space is
available in the driveway. In addition to the local laws regulating placement of such vehicles on residential
property, the City’s Municipal Code limits the parking of RVs on private property to one such vehicle on a
property at any time.
The following sections of the City of San Leandro's Municipal Code apply:
6-1-430 — OVERNIGHT PARKING PROHIBITED - OFF STREET PARKING OF CERTAIN SIZE VEHICLES
6-1-430 (a) Residential Streets:
(1) No motor vehicle having more than two axles, or any single vehicle or combination of
vehicles, which exceed twenty (20) feet in length, or any single vehicle or combination of vehicles seven (7) feet or
more in height, or any single vehicle or combination of vehicles having a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating of
ten thousand (10,000) pounds or more shall be parked or left standing upon any street in any Residence District as
defined by California Vehicle Code § 515 between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. Emergency vehicles as defined by
California Vehicle Code § 165 are exempt from this provision.
6-1-430 (b) Off Street Parking of Vehicles Of Certain Size - Residential:
(1) No motor vehicle exceeding the following two (2) dimensions: twenty (20) feet in length and
seven (7) feet in height shall be parked or left standing within (20) feet of the front yard or street side yard (on a
corner lot) side of the sidewalk; provided, however, that such motor vehicles may be so parked or left standing on the
driveway portion thereof, if space is not available upon the driveway of the vehicles to be parked beyond said twenty
(20) feet, or if space is not available in the rear yard or side yard, or there is no reasonable access to either the
rear yard or side yard; a corner lot is presumed to have reasonable access to the rear yard.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (b) (1) of this section, no part of any motor vehicle may extend
over the public sidewalk.
6-1-430 (c) Non-Motorized Vehicles:
Except as provided herein, no vehicle other than a motor vehicle as defined by California Vehicle Code section 415
shall be parked or left standing upon any street, except:
(1) Non-motorized vehicles owned, operated, or controlled by the City, so long as such
non-motorized vehicles are parked or left standing for purposes reasonably related to official City business.
(2) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this section, a fifth-wheel travel trailer as
defined in section 324 of the California Vehicle Code, a travel coach as defined in section 635 of the California Vehicle
Code, a vehicle designed for recreational purposes to carry persons or property on its own structure and so constructed as
to be drawn by a motor vehicle, or any other trailer, whether attached or unattached to a motor vehicle, may be granted
an exemption by the City Manager to park in a Residence District, as defined by California Vehicle Code section 515,
under the same conditions applicable to motor vehicles as set forth in subsection (a)(3), above.
6-1-430 (d) Parking of Commercial Vehicles – Residential:
(1) No vehicle having more than two axles, or any single commercial vehicle or combination of
said vehicles, which exceed twenty (20) feet in length or seven (7) feet or more in height, any single commercial vehicle
or combination of said vehicles seven (7) feet or more in width, or any single commercial vehicle or combination of said
vehicles having a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating of ten thousand (10,000) pounds or more shall be parked or
left standing upon any street in any Residence District as defined by California Vehicle Code section 515, except:
(i) For such reasonable time in excess of two (2) hours that may be necessary for the purpose
of making pickups or deliveries of goods, wares, and merchandise from or to any building or structure or for the purpose
of delivering materials to be used for repair, alteration, remodeling, or construction of any building or structure upon
a restricted street or highway; or
(ii) For such reasonable time in excess of two (2) hours that may be necessary when such
vehicle is parked in connection with the performance of a service to or on a property in which such vehicle is parked; or
(iii) For such reasonable time in excess of two (2) hours that may be necessary time to
make emergency repairs.
(iv) No regulations adopted in this section shall apply to any vehicle owned by a public
utility or licensed contract while necessarily in use in the construction, installation, or repair of any public utility.
3-1-200 UNLAWFUL PROPERTY NUISANCE—PRIVATE PROPERTY
Section (h) (5): Vehicles which exceed the following dimensions: twenty (20) feet in length or seven (7) feet in
width or seven (7) feet in height, or any single vehicle or combination of vehicles having a manufacturer’s gross
vehicle weight rating of ten thousand (10,000) pounds or more parked upon any paved or unpaved surface lying within
any front yard, street corner side yard, or backyard of any residential property which are visible from the street or
visible from adjacent private property, upon receipt of consent to inspect from any person owning, leasing, renting,
occupying or having charge or possession of such adjacent private property. Recreational vehicles as defined by
California Vehicle Code § 242, 243, 324, and 362 are exempt from this provision. However, at no time shall more than
one such recreational vehicle be stored on any residential property at any time.
Abandoned Vehicles
The abatement of abandoned vehicles is regulated by the City’s Municipal Code and falls under the
responsibility of the Community Compliance Section. To report an abandoned vehicle, please call 510-577-3260.
To expedite the investigation into your complaint, please try to have the following information available:
1) the exact address where the vehicle is parked (i.e., in front of 1234 ABC Street);
2) the license plate number of the vehicle (please indicate if it is not a California license plate);
3) the color, make, model, and type of vehicle; 4) whether or not the vehicle or the owner is known to the
area; and 5) approximately how long the vehicle has been parked in this location.
Once the complaint is received, staff will respond within 3 – 5 business days. A complaint card will
be completed containing the vehicle’s information. After 72 hours, staff will respond back to the location of
the vehicle. If it is still there, staff has the authority to have it towed.
Graffiti
Graffiti is a nuisance which quickly detracts from the appearance of
the community. The Graffiti Ordinance requires that property owners
remove graffiti within 7 days. To assist property owners in quickly
removing graffiti, the City will remove 25 square feet or less of graffiti
at no cost to the property owner. If the graffitied area is greater
than 25 square feet, the City will contact the property owner and require
removal. Please report graffiti to the Graffiti Hotline: 510-577-3400.
Give
Us a Call at 510-577-3400.
Together We Can Make a Difference!
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