Virtually all code cases processed by Code Enforcement originate as a complaint. A complaint can be filed by calling the phone numbers listed below, submitting an email to the email addresses listed below, or via the SeeClickFix app. At a minimum, the following information must be provided before Code Enforcement staff can initiate Step 2 of the process.

• Address of the alleged violation
• Detailed description of the observed violation
• Photos of the violation, if possible
• Complainant’s name and contact information (All complaints are kept confidential.)

When a complaint is filed, staff must first confirm the validity of the violation(s). This often requires Code Enforcement staff to research, fact-check, and conduct on-site inspections. Some of the actions and research that are conducted by staff during this initial confirmation stage are listed below.

• Open/assign a case
• Get clarification from complainant
• Review prior permit approvals
• Review county assessor, recorder, and tax collector records
• Review historic aerial imagery
• Coordinate with other city divisions, departments, and outside agencies
• Site inspection

Receiving a notice of violation from the city can be stressful. As such, it is important that city staff spend the necessary time and effort conducting the appropriate level of research to confirm that a violation has occurred before enforcing a violation.

After staff confirms a violation, staff will typically issue a Courtesy Notice, Notice and Warning, or a Notice to Correct. There is no financial penalty associated with any of these notices.

A notice accomplishes two important objectives:

1. Alerts the responsible party that a violation (often unknown to them) exists on the property which the individual owns, controls or occupies; and
2. Guides the responsible party in navigating the city’s processes to resolve the violation.

The notice details the following:

• FMC section(s) in violation.
• Actions and steps necessary to bring the violation into compliance.
• Timeframe to complete the requested correction(s).
• Name and number of the Code Enforcement staff who will be the primary contact throughout the process.

Code Enforcement’s goal is to obtain compliance. We provide the responsible party with a reasonable timeframe in which to reach compliance. Maintaining the compliance schedule is important. However, we understand that issues sometimes arise that are beyond the control of the responsible party, which may cause unexpected delays in meeting set deadlines. The administrative enforcement procedure is designed to provide the responsible party with more than enough time to respond to requirements, especially during the initial stage of enforcement. If more time is needed, please notify Code Enforcement staff as soon as possible. If staff determines that the delay is legitimate and reasonable, they will typically grant an extension.

Unfortunately, in some cases, stronger enforcement actions are needed to maintain progress. Failure to resolve the violation within the timeframe specified in the notice may result in the issuance of an administrative penalty, the assessment of administrative costs, and/or the imposition of civil penalties or criminal penalties.

For severe violations that adversely impact public health and safety, Code Enforcement may issue a Stop Work Notice requiring that all activities immediately stop. The city may also abate any violations deemed a public nuisance. Responsible parties have the right to appeal administrative notices and most other administrative determinations and can challenge civil and criminal actions in a court of law.

When Code Enforcement staff confirms that a violation has been resolved, an explanation of the investigation and resolution is communicated to the complaining party, if requested. For certain cases, communication is also sent to the responsible party (in cases of a verified violation) confirming that the matter was adequately resolved, and the case has been closed. These communications promote transparency and help “close the loop” with impacted citizens.

It is unlawful and an infraction for any person to abandon, park, store or leave, or permit the abandonment, parking, storing or leaving of any licensed or unlicensed vehicle or parts thereof which is in an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative condition upon any private or public property not including highways within the city for a period in excess of 10 days unless the vehicle or parts thereof is completely enclosed within a building in a lawful manner where it is not plainly visible from the street or other public or private property.

• View Chapter 10.16 Abandoned, Wrecked Or Inoperative Vehicles* (Codepublishing.Com)

It is unlawful for any person to cause or permit to be left standing any vehicle on any highway or roadway within the city for a period of 72 or more consecutive hours.

• View Chapter 10.16 Abandoned, Wrecked Or Inoperative Vehicles

As regulated by Chapter 10.20.270 of the FMC: No person shall leave standing any utility trailer on a public roadway without having a vehicle attached to the utility trailer capable of immediately towing it at the request of a public safety officer.

• View Chapter 10.20 Parking

As regulated by Chapter 10.20.280 of the FMC: A recreational vehicle or utility trailer shall be considered stored when it has been left standing upon a street without having been moved at least one mile within a seventy-two-consecutive-hour period. In order to be considered moved, the recreational vehicle or utility trailer must be moved and remain at least one mile away from its original location at the conclusion of the seventy-two-hour period for a minimum of twenty-four hours.

• View Chapter 10.20 Parking

No vehicle, recreational vehicle, utility trailer, motorcycle, tractor, trailer, camper, or other mode of transportation, whether or not motorized or operational, shall be parked or stored on a front yard, side yard, lawn, landscaped areas visible from the public right-of-way, or grass, except on a permanent driveway or parking place specifically designed and approved by the city for the purpose of parking vehicles and constructed of concrete, paver blocks or other paved surface approved by the city.

• View Chapter 10.20 Parking

The City of Folsom creates and enforces local and certain state laws that regulate property in the city. The presence of overgrown or dead grass, dry weeds, trees, and other vegetation is a common code violation.

To remedy these issues, remove and maintain the overgrowth of weeds/vegetation, dead trees and junk/debris from your property.

For more information, see FMC Sections 8.38.030 – Private Property Maintenance – Weeds and Dead Vegetation/Trees

• View Chapter 8.38 Maintenance Of Privately Owned Properties Visible From Public Property
• View Chapter 8.37 Abatement Of Weeds, Refuse and Abandoned Materials

You can also find a Landscape Guide that we developed to help residents create and maintain a beautiful, water-wise landscape here in Folsom.

The city strives to keep our streets and sidewalks clean and safe. Make sure to move any personal or non-permitted items off the public streets and sidewalks in front of your home or business. The following regulations apply to street and sidewalk encroachments:

• As regulated by Chapter 12.20 of the FMC: It is unlawful for any person to place, erect or maintain, or to permit the placement, erection, maintenance or existence of any encroachment upon, over or under any public property.
• There are certain encroachments where a permit is required/allowed and other encroachments where a permit will not be issued (i.e. sports equipment).
• Encroachments include, but are not limited to buildings, fences, sports equipment not in use, signs, trees, plants, underground facilities and construction and landscape material or any excavations on public property.

Residential containers for garbage, recycling and organic waste shall be placed for collection at the street curb or edge of road right-of-way by 6:00 a.m. on scheduled collection day, holidays included, and removed from the street and screened from public view by 6:00 a.m. of the following day. 

• View Chapter 8.32 Waste and Recycling Collection

If you operate a business from your home, the City of Folsom requires a business license certificate and a home occupation permit. These may be obtained through our third-party vendor, HDL. Residents with a home-based business may contact HDL at: 916-458-4753 or via their website at Welcome (hdlgov.com) or email at folsom@hdlgov.com.

The City of Folsom Building Division is responsible for plan review, permitting, and inspection of all commercial and residential building activity. Before beginning construction, contact the Building Division at 916-461-6201 or check our ePermit Center.

The following is a list of some types of signs that are prohibited: any sign located within the clear-vision triangle, signs within the public right-of-way, portable signs, animated signs, roof signs and banners (without a permit). Please review the ordinance for the full list of prohibited signs and signs that require a permit.  

• View Chapter 17.59 Signs
• To apply for a sign permit, please visit the Planning Division’s Planning Applications, Forms and Fees page.

A: 72 hours.

A: Yes, as long as it has current registration. If the RV is a motorhome, it also must be operable.

A: No.

A: No. Boats and utility trailers must always be attached to the tow vehicle and must move every 72 hours.  

A: No. It may only be on the street when it is actively in use.

A: No. Please contact Code Enforcement and we will start a case.

A: Water heaters, HVAC’s, windows, electrical/plumbing, siding, roofing, structures over 120sq ft, swimming pools, protected tree removals, protected tree pruning. This is not an all-inclusive list.

A: No. The items must be stored out of public view until the day before the scheduled pickup.

A: No. Solid waste containers must be screened from public view.

A: Yes. Please visit chapter 17.61 of the FMC to read about the licensing and criteria for approval.

A: No.

A: Yes. With a temporary banner permit obtained by the Planning Division.