How to File a Code Enforcement Complaint in Victorville

If you’re dealing with illegal dumping, junk/debris, inoperative vehicles on private property, zoning/building/business license violations, or neglected property conditions, Victorville Code Enforcement is the right place to start. The City says Code Enforcement responds to citizen complaints and works toward voluntary compliance through inspections and notices to property owners and occupants.

This guide shows exactly how to submit a code enforcement Victorville complaint, what details to include (so it doesn’t stall), what happens after you report it, and which issues should go to Police or other departments instead.

Quick answer

The City of Victorville has four methods of reporting a code violation:

1. Online complaint form 
2. Email: Enforcement@victorvilleca.gov 
3. Phone: (760) 955-5104 
4. In person: Code Enforcement at Victorville City Hall 

For after hours reporting, including nights, weekends, and holidays, Victorville lists a contact number: (760) 245-4211.

Table of Content

Responsibilities of Victorville Code Enforcement

The Code Enforcement team of the City of Victorville values their role in maintaining a safe, clean city, and investigating private property complaints, including:

• Incorrect vehicle storage
• Junk and debris
• Unsecured or unmaintained commercial or residential properties
• Illegal dumping
• Zoning, building, and business license violations 

In relation to this, on the City’s reporting page, Code Enforcement states that their primary responsibilities have to do with conditions that create blight, affect residential or commercial areas, or directly impact public health and safety. Voluntary compliance is the stated primary goal of Code Enforcement’s efforts. 

Examples of commonly reported issues

Code Enforcement often responds to a variety of reported situations, which include:

• Unsightly trash or debris piles on private property
• Highly overgrown weeds or neglected grounds, often when it becomes a fire hazard or a nuisance
• Unregistered or unpermitted structures, as well as structures with obviously visible building code violations
• Unsightly or dangerous outdoor junk storage
• Illegal dumping, especially when not in-progress
• Commercial property conditions affecting neighborhood safety

If the reported situation falls under any of these examples, it falls under the responsibilities of Code Enforcement.

Before a complaint is filed

1) Is this an emergency or a crime in progress?

Code Enforcement covers non-emergency situations. In the case of an actual emergency like a violent altercation, legitimate threats to life and safety, fires, medical emergencies, or an active crime in progress, report it immediately via 911. If you observe someone dumping in the desert, Code Enforcement encourages you to treat it as a crime in progress and contact the police to report it. 

2) Is the reported event a civil dispute?

Some nuisance situations may involve a domestic or civil dispute between neighbors, such as dilapidated fencing, overgrown trees, or property issues. These are handled through the civil dispute process, and Code Enforcement encourages reports to handle these issues with neighbor cooperation wherever possible. 

Reports can still be made about issues that may be a civil dispute; however, the report must focus on observable facts and features such as location, type, and length of time that it has been visible.

Properly filing a Code Enforcement complaint in Victorville

The City of Victorville lists four methods for reporting potential violations, each of which are useful in different situations.

Method 1: Online complaint form

The online complaint form is what the City of Victorville highlights as preferable, where possible. It allows for detailed, lengthy reports including a large amount of information, and can minimize necessary clarification. 

Process for filing an online complaint form:

1. Open the complaint form for Code Enforcement, available from the ‘Report A Code Violation’ link. 
2. Provide a location for the code violation, which may include an address, cross streets, and landmarks if necessary. 
3. Provide a clear description of the violation, such as where it is, what it is, and when it was first visible.
4. Extra details should be provided if relevant, like the time of day the incident occurred, or the plate number of an associated vehicle if one was sighted. 
5. Submit the form, and save the provided confirmation details.

Method 2: Email

Code Enforcement provides an email address to send email complaints to at Enforcement@victorvilleca.gov.  This method is quicker and easier than the online form, and provides the submitter with a referencable record of their report.

Email template (copy/paste):
Subject: Code Enforcement Complaint, [Address or Cross Streets]
Hello, I’d like to make a report on a possible code violation at [address] in Victorville.

• Type of violation: trash, debris, illegal dumping, zoning, building code, property neglect, etc.
• What was observed: remember to keep to the facts, and to keep it short and clear.
• Where it was: front yard, side yard, backyard, parking area, alley facing side, or other.
• When it was visible: time of day, whether it’s one time or ongoing, and what days, if applicable.
• Extra details: license plate if a vehicle was seen nearby, or the name of a business if relevant.

Thank you.

Method 3: Phone call

Code Enforcement lists a contact number at (760) 955-5104.  This works best for urgent but still non-emergency situations, as well as feedback as to whether you are making a report to the correct department.

Hours of operation:

• The Code Enforcement office hours are listed as Mon thru Thu, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Fri 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 
• The FAQ page additionally lists calling hours of Mon thru Thu 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  If contacting by phone doesn’t work, then the most convenient secondary methods are online or email.

Method 4: In person

The City states that reports can be made in person, at the Code Enforcement office located at Victorville City Hall. 

Address (Code Enforcement / City Hall): 14343 Civic Drive, Victorville, CA 92392 

After hours reporting

Code Enforcement provides an after hours contact number at: (760) 245-4211. 

Using the Victorville NOW app

The City of Victorville launched the Victorville NOW app, in order to provide fast, convenient, detailed reporting of non-emergency events from a mobile device. The app provides the user the option to add additional information, such as photos, longer descriptions of the observed issue, and, with your permission, can also provide an exact GPS location. It also provides the user with a function to track progress updates for Code Enforcement, and confirmation when the issue is addressed. 

Filing a Code Enforcement complaint via the app:

1. Open the NOW app, and select a category that describes the witnessed issue, such as illegal dumping, debris, or otherwise. 
2. Add a clear description.
3. Provide permission for the app to collect an exact GPS pin, or add an address. 
4. Take a picture and add it to the report if it is safe to do so. Code Enforcement directs users not to trespass or otherwise endanger themselves.
5. Submit and track status in the app. 

Remember that the main function of the Victorville NOW app is non-emergency reporting only! Emergencies and crimes in progress should always be reported by a call to 911. 

Providing necessary information

The City of Victorville asks that the following information be provided with reports: 

• Your name, address, and phone number 
• Street address where the violation was observed 
• Description of the violation, including any necessary info about the location, person, or business that is involved in the disturbance 
• Additional helpful details, such as the time of day it was observed, or a related vehicle plate number if one was involved. These details may ease and speed an investigation 

Report descriptive and relevant information

A strong complaint uses:

• What: trash or debris, construction without proper permits, inoperative vehicles stored in inconvenient locations, etc.
• Where: Front, side, or backyard, facing an alleyway, in front of the driveway, or otherwise.
• When visible: If it’s a single event, when it occurred; if it’s a repeating event, the times that it typically happens.
• How long: If the event has been ongoing for an extended period of time, it helps to estimate how long.

Code Enforcement works off of observable facts. Simple, easily observable evidence or facts speeds an investigation, and ensures a fast and appropriate response.

What information is released from a report

Victorville states that all provided complainant information is kept strictly confidential, but it’s still good to keep in mind that a simple, straightforward, and factual report with only strictly relevant information. 

What happens after you report a violation

The Victorville Code Enforcement office’s duties primarily concern inspection and notices, with the goal of encouraging voluntary compliance.

The typical sequence of events that follows a report goes as such:

1. Intake and triage: the complaint is logged, processed, and prioritized based on the severity of the issue, and whether it endangers public health or safety.
2. Inspection: an officer from Code Enforcement is dispatched to make an inspection and report on findings based on information from a report.
3. Notice and correction timeframe: If a violation is found to have occurred, Code Enforcement will issue a notice to the property owner or occupant, warning them of the violation and what needs to be done to be in compliance.
4. Re-inspection and closure: a Code Enforcement officer will re-inspect the location no sooner than the specified time attached to the notice. If violations have been addressed or corrected, the case will promptly be closed.

Reasons a report may take time to be addressed

Depending on priority, severity, ease of access, and other variables, some violations may be addressed relatively quickly while others take time. The provided FAQ lists example timelines for some reported violations, and how much time someone may be given to bring themselves back into compliance.

If you received a Notice of Violation

Code Enforcement will inform you via mailed document or in person if a violation is detected, as well as providing a timeframe to correct the violation. Promptly fixing the issue and bringing yourself back into compliance will avoid such consequences as liens or fines. 

Next steps to take

1. Read the notice carefully, ensure that you have a complete list of potential violations to correct
2. Ensure violations are addressed within the provided timeframe 
3. Direct any further questions or requests for clarifications to the officer listed on the notice via emailing Code Enforcement at enforcement@victorvilleca.gov or calling (760) 955-5104. 
4. Extensions can be granted by request if Code Enforcement deems it appropriate, but are only granted after the issue of notices and require effort towards compliance. The officer assigned to your case is responsible for granting extensions if necessary. 

Wrong address situations

There are several situations provided in Victorville’s Code Enforcement FAQ that may be relevant, if the specific situation arises.

Landlord or tenant problems

Issues with landlords or with tenants are directed to the Inland Fair Housing and Mediation Board. 

Semi trucks parked on residential streets

The FAQ notes:

• If the semi is parked directly on the street, direct your call to the police non-emergency number listed in the Code Enforcement FAQ. 
• If the vehicle is parked on private property, provide a report through previously listed Code Enforcement methods and forms. 

Overflowing trash cans or sanitation-related storage issues

Questions or reports of overflowing trash cans or improperly stored trash and trash cans are directed to Sanitation Code Enforcement at (760) 955-8615. 

Junk cars on the street

For abandoned, inoperable, or junked cars left on city streets, residents are directed to make a report via the Police non-emergency number. 

Illegal dumping

If a resident would like to report illegally dumped garbage, they are directed to make a report via form, call, or app to Code Enforcement, who will then dispatch an officer to investigate.
If you witness dumping happening right now, it is a crime in progress that should be reported via 911.

FAQ