Safety & Quality of Life in Santa Clara City
Mission Statement – To promote and maintain a safe and desirable living environment in Santa Clara. To preserve and improve the quality of our community by administering a fair and unbiased compliance program to correct issues of municipal code violations by educating our residents.
The Santa Clara Code Enforcement program was created in February of 2017. Due to the increased number of complaints from our residents the City is receiving on a regular basis, a part-time employee was hired and charged with enforcing portions of municipal codes adopted by the City. The goal is to maintain a clean and safe environment for our entire community to live, work, and play.
Be a Good Neighbor!
You can help make Santa Clara a better place to live, work, and play by making yourself familiar with City codes/ordinances. Similar to our Police Departments “Know Your Neighbor Program” we encourage you to communicate with your neighbor and try to resolve differences before calling. This creates a win-win situation for everyone involved within our community.
Filing a Complaint
When filing a complaint, please provide the following information:
- Address of the violation
- A detailed description of the violation
- Your name and phone number (this information is kept strictly confidential and may be used to contact you for further information)
- If possible a photograph (not required but helpful)
An initial inspection will be conducted to determine if any code violations are or have occurred. If a violation is found, contact will be made by the Officer with owner of the residence. This contact can be made a couple of different ways, either in person, or by mailing a notice of violation. Once the owner is given notice, he/she is afforded the opportunity to correct the violation within a certain number of days. If the violation continues, the owner may be subjected to a citation to appear before the Santa Clara Justice Court. Violations are usually classified as class “C” and “B” misdemeanors.
Common Code Violations Include:
- Overgrown weeds and lawn-cannot be greater than 18″ (inches)
- Parking of inoperable vehicles not behind setback area
- Storage of rubbish, trash, and debris
- Farm animals
- Short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods
- Click here for beekeeping regulations.
For the following complaints please contact departments listed below:
- For noise ordinance and vehicles parked on the street, please contact Police Dispatch at (435) 634-5730.
- For Fire code and concerns, please contact fire dispatch at (435) 634-5730.
- For building code questions and concerns, please contact Building Department at (435) 656-4690 Ext 215.
- For Animal Control questions or concerns, please contact Dispatch at (435) 634-5730.
Q & A
What does the City consider to be weeds? (Code 8.28.010-030)
Tumbleweeds or severely overgrown grass are the most common and considered what is called a noxious weed. It can create a fire hazard or create a breeding ground for rodents as well as being unsightly.
When can I burn tumbleweeds?
Typically, there is only a couple of time a year that burning weeds is prohibited. Those periods of time are usually in March and September. You would need to get a same-day burn permit from Washington County by calling (435)627-4949. You can visit the website for the Santa Clara Fire Department for more information.
What is considered junk? (Code 8.04.090 A1)
Junk is any type of material that has been discarded or no longer being used for its’ intended use. Junk items are considered a nuisance.
What is a junk car? (Code 17.64.060 G)
Junk or inoperable cars refer to a vehicle that is not currently licensed, or is not worthy of being driven on the street (such as a project car). It can be in a garage or similar enclosed building or behind a fence in the rear yard.
Who is responsible for cleaning a property? (Code 8.04.100)
The occupant is usually the person that needs to clean the property of a nuisance, but the property owner is ultimately responsible for a property to be clean and free of problems or nuisances. Court imposed fines or certificates of non-compliance can be issued for zoning enforcement matters that are left unresolved after contact from the City to clean it up.
Can I rent out a section of my home? (Code 17.64.060 H)
Yes, within an R-1-10 zone; which is a residential zone, you are allowed to have a second dwelling within your home. However, it needs to have requirements met within the necessary approved Conditional Use Permit that allows a second dwelling within a home. There is also a $100 application fee and this requires Planning Commission approval.
What are short-term rentals and can I do one? (Code 17.20.260)
Short-term rentals are becoming more popular nowadays. Short term rentals are rental units that are rented for nightly occupants up to 29 days of rental. It is not a long-term rental type of situation. Yes, a property owner can have a short-term rental, but there are specific areas zoned within Santa Clara City that allows short-term rental. You also need to have a Santa Clara City business license and a local property management company. Check with the City prior to purchasing a home for such use to make sure it is in the allowed zone.
How many people can live in a house? (Code 17.64.010)
The Santa Clara City ordinance defines a family as an individual or two or more persons related by blood, marriage, or adoption living together as a single housekeeping unit in a dwelling unit or a group of not more than four unrelated person, who need not be related by blood, marriage or adoption, living together as a single housekeeping unit in a dwelling united.
People that are related by blood, marriage, or adoption, may not have more than three additional persons living with them as a single housekeeping unit in a dwelling unit.
Can I have a home occupation? (Code 17.38.010-080)
Yes, a home occupation is allowed with an approved Santa Clara City Business License and a Home Conditional Use Permit. Home occupations are not to impact the surrounding neighborhood with any type of commercial business dealing, employees, off street parking, violations, etc.
Am I allowed to have chickens? (Code 17.64.060 J)
Yes. However, there are restrictions within a residential neighborhood. If the property is located within an R1-10 zone (residential neighborhoods) and under 1 acre in size, a person is allowed to keep up to three small fowl on the property. If the property is over 2 acres in size, up to 20 small fowl animals be kept on the property.
Private garage or accessory buildings? (Code 17.64.060.B)
Private garages and accessory buildings located to the rear, and at least ten feet (10”) away from the main dwelling may be built five feet (5”) from the property line provided that: 1) projection beyond exterior wall shall not exceed twelve inches (12”) into the area where openings are prohibited, 2) stormwater runoff from the building shall not run onto adjacent property, 3) all corner lots shall maintain required setbacks on the street sides, and 4) construction shall comply with current international residential code (IRC) exterior wall and opening protection. No building, or swimming pool, shall be located in any easement without city approval.
Contact Us
| Staff Member | Title | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reed Briggs | Code Enforcement Officer | (435) 652-1122 Ext. 246 | sbannon@sccity.org |
| Fred Fage | Building Inspector | (435) 656-4690 Ext. 217 | ffage@sccity.org |
| Andrew Parker | Fire Chief | (435) 673-6712 Ext. 330 | aparker@sccity.org |