City Of West Hollywood: City's Code Compliance Division Is Available To Assist Community Members With Quality Of Life Issues And Concerns

Press release from the City of West Hollywood:

July 21, 2021 6:36 PM

In June 2021, the California Governor terminated executive orders that had put into place a Stay Home Order and the Blueprint for a Safer Economy. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health followed this by revising its Health Officer Order to align with State of California reopening.

Statewide and County reopening has been an extremely encouraging step in moving forward from the most restrictive phases of the COVID-19 pandemic and related shutdowns. Reopening, though, has brought into focus the community’s return to normalcy and this may raise concerns for some City of West Hollywood residents and businesses about how the City works to effectively address quality of life concerns and issues.

The City of West Hollywood’s Code Compliance Division works to maintain the City’s unique urban balance with an emphasis on neighborhood livability by recognizing diverse and competing interests and working to find balance. The Code Enforcement team is responsible for enforcing all provisions of the City of West Hollywood’s laws and ordinances, as governed by the West Hollywood Municipal Code, and it works to respond to issues and concerns from the community.

Some of the most frequent concerns among residents and businesses include those related to noise, property maintenance, vacant properties, construction, zoning (short-term rentals and land use activities), and impediments in the public right-of-way (sidewalk, parkway, alley, or street), among others.

Community members who may have concerns about quality of life issues are encouraged to reach out to the City’s Code Enforcement team by submitting a Service Request, which is a first step in investigating potential violations of the Municipal Code. The primary goal of Code Enforcement is to gain voluntary compliance so that community members better understand their responsibilities in maintaining their properties, businesses, and preserving quality of life. The City also utilizes different enforcement measures from warning notices, citations, office conferences, and legal action in order to gain compliance.

Service requests may be submitted on the City’s website at www.weho.org/servicerequest or by using the City of West Hollywood Official App, which may be downloaded on an Apple device from the App Store or as an Android App on Google Play; search for “West Hollywood Official App.”

Community members may also call the City’s Code Enforcement line at (323) 848-6516. Enforcement hours are Monday through Wednesday, 7 a.m. to 12 a.m., and Thursday through Sunday, 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. When reporting a concern, please include your name and phone number, violation address, and reason for calling/concern. Investigations are confidential. For concerns outside of enforcement hours, please contact the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station at (310) 855-8850.

In July 2021, the City of West Hollywood launched its Dockless Mobility Pilot Program to permit e-scooters from Bird and Lime, and e-bikes from Wheels. Any concerns regarding e-scooters and e-bikes should be reported using the City’s Official App, or by email to parkingconcerns@weho.org, or by phone to (213) 247-7720.

The City’s Code Compliance Division also oversees the issuance and renewal process of regulatory Business Licenses and Permits including processing business licenses, extended hours construction permits, special event permits, valet parking sign and meter encroachment permits, and outdoor dining encroachment permits. Oversight of Animal Care and Control is an additional function of the Code Compliance Division and the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control provides these contracted services.

The City’s Code Compliance Division partners with the City’s Public Safety Department, which provides oversight of law enforcement and coordinates community programs to reduce crime and increase public safety. The City contracts with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for police protection, the Los Angeles County Fire Department for fire protection services, and Block by Block and PACWEST for additional safety services.

For more information, please contact Danny Rivas, Code Compliance Manager, City of West Hollywood, at (323) 848-6424 or at drivas@weho.org. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, please call TTY (323) 848-6496.

The City of West Hollywood remains in a declared local emergency in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. West Hollywood City Hall and many public City buildings and facilities have been shut to in-person transactions as services were transitioned to a virtual environment to safeguard community health and safety. The City of West Hollywood is implementing plans to reopen in-person services at City Hall in late July 2021; details will be forthcoming on the City’s website www.weho.org. City Hall remains fully accessible for services with transactions to be conducted by phone (323) 848-6400 and via the City’s website.

City of West Hollywood coronavirus updates are available at www.weho.org/coronavirus and the City encourages community members to follow @wehocity on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram and to turn on notifications. Sign up for news updates at www.weho.org/email and visit the City’s calendar of meetings and events at www.weho.org/calendar.

slunn@weho.org

This press release was produced by the City of West Hollywood. The views expressed here are the author’s own.