Departments
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Jill Gipson Code Enforcement Division |
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Report an Abandoned Car on Public Street or Highway Vehicles can be parked on the street but must be in running condition for a maximum of 72 hours. If not operable, i.e. no wheels, engine, trash in gutters, cobwebs, etc., they can be towed by the City. They must also have current license and registration. The vehicle may also be towed if the registration is expired for longer than six months. |
Report a Vehicle Vehicle on the Roadway Vehicle on Private Property |
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Report an Abandoned Car on Private Property |
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Yard Maintenance
Fences
Outside Storage
Open and Vacant Buildings and Structures
Parking
Junk, Litter and Debris
Filing A Complaint (Click Here)
Yard Maintenance
Overgrown weeds, bushes, trees, grass and vegetation are fire and safety hazards. Yard maintenance is the responsibility of every property owner and includes the maintenance of any right of way abutting the property. Grass must be maintained at six inches or less.
All shrubs in the right of way and on the right of way must be maintained. The branches of any tree extending over any public sidewalk, street, and any other public way should be trimmed so that they do not obstruct vision or the travel of motorist and people, all dead trees and vegetation must be removed and disposed of properly.
Fences
Fences and screening walls must be sound and made from approved fencing materials. They also must be weather tight and free from deterioration and blight. Fences in residential zones cannot be higher four feet in the required front yard. This rule also applies to fences on street corners or areas adjacent to driveways. A wrongly placed fence could prevent a car driver from observing an oncoming vehicle or pedestrian traffic.
Outside Storage
Outside storage that can be seen from beyond the bounds of the property line is not allowed. Generally, any equipment, building or landscaping materials; parts/auto parts; appliances; or any scrap items may not be visible. No inoperable vehicles may be visible from beyond the property boundaries.
Open and Vacant Buildings and Structures
The property owner is responsible for maintaining building, structures and grounds of property, windows, doors, and other openings must be kept secure so the cannot be opened from the outside. A property owner is required to board up a building/structure if it becomes vacant and is not secure. Accessory buildings/structures on the property; such as storage sheds and garages, also must be secured to city specifications.
Parking
There are limits to the amount of yard area that can be used for a drive way or parking. Parking vehicles anywhere other than these designated areas may be a violation. Vehicles parked on streets must be in running conditions, must have current license and registration, and can only park for a maximum of 72 hours. Commercial trucks and trailers cannot park on the street in a residential neighborhood except when loading or unloading campers, trailers, boats, etc. can be parked in the driveway if they are in running condition (no flat tires) but not on grass, dirt, or other unpaved areas. For further information call the code enforcement officer at 661-765-4136.
Junk, Litter And Debris
Junk, litter and debris cannot be left in the yard. It must be disposed of properly. This includes junk auto parts, appliances, furniture, building and landscaping material; and tires; litter such as discarded paper, cardboard, plastics, etc; debris such as tree trimmings and fallen tree limbs; or any other items that have been discarded. Persons seen dumping trash, junk, or littering in public or private places can be prosecuted. For further information call the Code Enforcement Officer.
Graffiti
Graffiti must be removed from all sidewalks, walls, fences, signs and other structures or surfaces visible from beyond the bounds of the property line. This is the responsibility of the property owner.
How can I prevent graffiti?
What can be done? Many areas have in place prevention measures including the aggressive/timely removal of graffiti and policies banning gang symbols. What can you do personally? There are several ways you can help:
1 1. Report any graffiti you find immediately to the Taft Police Department at 661-763-3101. This is important for two reasons: to identify trends in type/location of graffiti and to get it cleaned up promptly.
2. Remove any graffiti immediately to show that you care about your property. This will dissuade the graffiti vandal because it doesn't give the recognition they are looking for if you remove it quickly.
3. Visually discourage graffiti vandals from using your property by choosing darker paint colors. This make their monikers stand out less, contradicting their goal of quick and easy recognition. Install motion- activated lights or security cameras on your property to scare them away. Use landscaping to deter graffiti vandals. Plant thorny or vine plants in front of ideal surfaces such as walls or fences. Graffiti vandals avoid thorny plants so they don't get hurt or rip their clothes. Vine plants make the surfaces difficult to paint.
4. Identify and report any individuals you feel may be involved in graffiti vandalism; look for the warning signs.
5. Work with local law enforcement, the school district, and the community to establish supervised/constructive late night alternatives like nighttime basketball, competitive drill teams, or dance programs.
6. Know who your local resources are: school district administrators, community officials, school law enforcement officers, and area law enforcement officers
7 7. Get involved in or start a neighborhood watch program in your area.
8. Know the key phone numbers to use in reporting graffiti in the City of Taft, Police dispatch 233-1214, Public works graffiti removal 661-763-1222 and/or Code Enforcement 661-765-4136.
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Vacant Dwellings and Buildings
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Any property which remain vacant and unoccupied for any appreciable period of time become an attractive nuisance to children, a harborage for rodents, an invitation to derelicts, vagrants and criminals as a temporary abode and as a place to engage in illegal conduct, frequently including illegal drug-related activity, and an increased fire hazard. Such buildings contribute to the growth of blight within the City which create an unhealthy and unsafe condition affecting the public and constitutes an unreasonable use of property and a public nuisance.
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A property owner is required to board up a building/structure if it becomes vacant and is not secure. Accessory buildings/ structures on the property; such as storage sheds and garages, also must be secured to City specifications. A boarding permit from Building Regulations Division is required. Please note: No building shall remain boarded for more than six (6) months. Property owners must maintain the structure in good shape. All points of entry to a vacant building, including windows and doors must be secured in accordance with City specifications. |
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Illegal Dumping
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Why do people illegally dump? Ignorance of the law. Don’t want to pay landfill fees. Disrespect for other’s property and the environment. Laziness.
The City encourages anyone who encounters an illegal dump that has already taken place to report it. If you observe someone illegally dumping, please take down the following information:
● Date, time and location of incident ● Description of vehicle and license plate number ● Description of person(s) dumping ● What item/materials were being dumping ● Your name and phone number (optional)
Maintain a low profile – Don’t contact the dumpers yourselves.
Report any illegal dumping to: Public Works Department at 661-763-1222 or Police Department at 911(active dumping).
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Illegal dumping is dumping of any waste, whether it is oil, furniture, appliances, trash, litter or landscaping cuttings, etc., upon any public right-of-way, City property or private property, without consent of the owner and/or the City of Taft.
If illegal dumping problems are not reported the problem often grows. Once a pile begins, it often seems to take on a life of its own by inviting other people to pile on additional wastes including hazardous wastes such household hazardous wastes (batteries, oil, paint, and antifreeze), commercial and industrial wastes, and other regulated or illegal substances.
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Inoperable Motor Vehicles
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There are limits to the amount of yard area that can be used for a driveway or parking. Parking vehicles anywhere other than these designated areas may be a violation
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All vehicles are prohibited from parking on any lawn area or on any un-approved parking pad. Abandoned, inoperable, unlicensed and junk vehicles are not allowed on private or public property in the City of Taft. You may be able to donate your vehicle to a registered charity. There are several services that will pick up the vehicle free-of-charge. Vehicles parked on streets must be in running conditions, must have current license and registration, and can only park for a maximum of 72 hours. Commercial trucks and trailers cannot park on the street in a residential neighborhood except when loading or unloading. For further information call the vehicle abatement officer at 661-765-4136. Campers, RV’s, boats, trailers, and other vehicles can be parked in the driveway if in running condition (no flat tires), fully licensed and registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles. All vehicles are prohibited from being parked or stored on grass, dirt or other unapproved parking pad. Recreational vehicles shall not be utilized as additional living space. |
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