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This is where you’ll find info on local city ordinances and general info that might be helpful to local residents…info about a variety of topics and how to contact the city on these topics.
Animals
Farm animals such as rabbits, ducks, chickens, pigs, goats, sheep, cows, and horses are NOT permitted in residentially zoned districts. Call 621-8400.
Animal neglect or loose dog complaintss should be referred to the SPCA at 233-7722. Animal bite complaints should be referred to the County of Fresno at 445-3385.
Regarding barking dogs, please see the section on noise.
Block Parties
The City encourages people to organize block parties because they are a good way to get to know your neighbors. If you’re interested, please call the City Council Office at 621-8000 for more information. You can get official permission to temporarily close the street in front of your home and arrange for a avist from the Police Dept. and Fire Dept staff.
Business
You may NOT operate a business out of your home for the repair, manufacture, process, sale, display, or trade of goods, materials, or objects. There are strict rules regulating running a business out of your home. Very few professions comply with the provisions of the home occupation code. Call the Planning and Development Department at 621-8277 if you are interested in more information.
Fences
There are rules for building a fence. Backyard and side yard fences cannot be over 6 feet in height. A front yard fence cannot be over 3 feet in height. For more information, call the Planning and Development Department at 621-8277.
Pool Fences: Fencing is required around swimming, wading and bathing pools that have a depth of 18inches or more. Please call Code Enforcement Division at 621-8400.
Graffiti
For assistance in graffiti removal, to volunteer for a graffiti removal program, or to provide “tagger” information to the Police Dept, please call GET MAGIC (GT MAGIC or 486-2442).
Housing Programs
The Redevelopment Agency of the City of Fresno and the Fresno Housing Authority have formed a partnership to provide property owners with a grant of up to $6,500 to enhance the exterior of their single family residence. For more information call the Community Housing Partnership Program at 445-8905.
Noise
Excessive noise can detract from the quality of life in a neighborhood. It is important that neighbors work together, privately, to solve minor problems, like barking dogs. The City of Fresno does not get involved in these disputes and, if courteous communication is not successful, you should contact a private attorney. For other more serious or persistent problems:
Loud parties-call the Fresno Police Department at 498-1414.
Construction noise-call the Fresno Building and Safety Division at 621-8104.
Industrial or commercial noise/activities-call 621-8400.
Police Department
Programs include reading/tutoring centers, recreational activities, job training, ESL classes and parenting classes. For more information about this program contact the Care Fresno office at 244-0105.
Signs
Signs play a vital role in identifying businesses. However, signs which are abandoned, illegal, or block publick rights-of-way, have a blighting influence on the City. If you want more information regarding our existing sign ordinance, please call 621-8400.
Street Flooding
Heavy rain brings much needed water to our beautiful valley. Sometimes it fills our streets and roadways so that passage is difficult. Regarding urban drainage problems call the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District at 456-3292. To report illegal dumping into the storm drainage system call 456-3292.
Streetlights
Is the streetlight burning brightly? Or is it flickering? Is it burned out? Did you know that it actually saves money to replace a flickering streetlight before the bulb burns out? Report flickering and burned out streetlights, as well as malfunctioning traffic signals by calling the Traffic Signals and Streetlights Section at 621-1492.
Street Sweeping
For questions regarding street sweeping, please call Community Sanitation Division at 621-1447. For rubbish or trash in the street, please call the Street Maintenance Division at 621-1492.
Tires
It is unlawful to store or dump tires on residential or vacant lots. City of Fresno residents wishing to dispose of tires at the City operated tire disposal facility may call the Code Enforcement Division at 621-8400 to arrange for an appointment. A disposal fee is charged. To help solve this problem please remember to leave your old tires with you dealer!
Trash & Debris
It is important that residents not place their discards out more than seven days in advance of their scheduled pickup. Please call the Community Sanitation Division at 621-1447 for the scheduled time in your area.
The accumulation of garbage, trash, appliances, car parts, old furniture, scrap materials, and overgrown vegetation is considered a public nuisance. To file a complaint call the Code Enforcement Division at 621-8400
Trees
Are the branches from trees along the street blocking your view? Has a branch from a tree fallen into the street? For questions regarding trees which are located in City parks or in medians call the Parks and Recreation Division at 621-2903. For questions regarding trees located along streets call the Public Works Dept at 621-1492.
Vehicle Parking
Vehicles parked on private residential property must be parked on driveways, in a garage, or a carport. Vehicles CANNOT be parked on dirt, lawn, or landscape areas. Call the Code Enforcement Division at 621-8400.
Inoperable vehicles cannot be parked on the street or stored on private property unless fully enclosed within a legal structure, i.e., garage. Car covers are not acceptable. For inoperable vehicles on private property, call the Code Enforcement Division at 621-8400 and for inoperable vehicles on the street, call your District Policing Office at the number listed under the Police Dept. section.
Recreational vehicles may be parked or stored on private property as long as: 1) they are enclosed within a legal structure; 2) they are within a side or rear yard enclosed by a solid wall or fence between 5 feet and 6 feet in height; and 3) they are not used for human habitation. The parking of recreational vehicles is regulated by the Code Enforcement Division if on private property, call 621-8400. If the recreational vehicle is parked on the street, call your District Policing Office at the number listed under the Police Dept. section.
Vehicle Repairing
Open repair of vehicles is prohibited in residentially zoned districts. You may add fluids, change a flat tire, jump start, and repair your own personal vehicle inside your garage. Call 621-8400.
Vehicle Theft
The Fresno Police Dept. and the California Highway Patrol have formed an auto theft task force, “Fresno H.E.A.T.” (Help Eliminate Auto Theft). If you feel you have active auto thieves operating in your neighborhood or possibly have a chop shop operating nearby, please call Fresno H.E.A.T. at 253-7045. If it is an emergency, call 9-1-1.
Watering Schedule
Weeds
The accumulation of tall, dry grass on vacant lots is prohibited. Property owners are required to maintain their lots year around. During the weed abatement season, generally April through October, property owners are required to ensure all weeds that constitute fire hazard are cleared or the land is turned with a disc. For further questions or to file a complaint, please call the Code Enforcement Division at 621-8400.
Yard Sales
You may have two yard sales at your residence in any calendar year. They must conform to the following conditions: 1) each sale is limited to no longer than 72hours; 2) no items may be displayed on the public right-of-way; 3) all items sold must have been used and no longer needed by the occupants of the residence; and 4) no signs are to be posted on public property. Call 621-8400.
How can the city tell me I can’t work on my vehicle? I understand the reasoning behind prohibiting the storage of inoperable vehicles but this; ” Open repair of vehicles is prohibited in residentially zoned districts. You may add fluids, change a flat tire, jump start, and repair your own personal vehicle inside your garage.” is absolutely ridiculous. The city of Fresno needs to realize they can’t have their hand in everything the people do. I have worked on, and will continue to work on my vehicle with or without the blessings of this city. Why? Because it is a hobby, and something I am very passionate over.
I have neighbors that are section 8 renters that have gang members, drug dealers, and violent people residing. I made a complaint to the landlord, because I had one of the neighbors friends caught trying to break into my house. I asked their landlord not to reveal it was me complaining due to fear of retaliation of the gang members. On 9/4/11 @ 1:15AM my home was shot 5 times, and my 4 & 10 year old were sleeping near the path of the bullets. The people responsible are still at large. I called the landlord again, and she stated she wont get involved. Does anyone have any advice? Please help! Thank you email me @ pb.ramazzs@sbcglobal.net
Install flood lights everywhere that turn on with a sensor, at the dollar tree they sale stickers that say warning under surveillance. Stick these to your windows. That’s a start and it’s cheaper than your life. If you have extra money put away I’d actually buy cameras and install them (costco, ebay, amazon… they even have apps for your cellphone to watch whats happening on your phone. If you watch youtube you can learn how to hook a vhs player/recorder up to your camera(s) to record . Then go door to door and get signatures of people not wanting them to live in your neighborhood and take the landlord and tenants to court. The court will grant the eviction and the owner could loose their house. Push the fact that children were almost murdered that wont be ignored. If you get stuck talking to bitches and still can’t get anywhere go down to the news station and rant and rave give names numbers and addresses and you can bet you will see some results that day. In court I’d bring anything you’ve had to buy (surveillance,stickers, guns, bullets, self defense classes, gun classes, shrinks, anxiety meds, gun permits…) ask for the owner o the house and tenants to compensate you. I’m also tired of living by trash people so every chance I get I report them and remove them. They need to all be placed on an island to kill and eat each other.
i agree with Anthony G. open repair is bogus ordinance, not everyone has a garage and there are people who do their own simple repairs.