Common Code Concerns & Contacts

Who should I call?
The table below outlines a number of common code concerns and the best agencies or departments to contact about these concerns. If you do not see your concern listed here, feel free to call us at 650-646-1855 and we'd be happy to point you in the right direction. Just a friendly reminder, though, our area of expertise is in property maintenance, building code and zoning code enforcement.
Please note that all emergencies or any dangerous situations should be reported to the Palo Alto Police by calling 911 immediately!
Code Concern or Issue | Department or Agency |
Abandoned Bicycles |
Public Works Department (Operations) 650-496-5945 |
Abandoned Vehicles |
650-329-2258 |
Building Codes | Planning Code Enforcement
650-329-2605 |
Business Signage Placed on Public Property |
650-329-2605 |
Child Support and/or Safety |
Santa Clara Department of Child Support Services 866-901-3212 (from inside the US) 011-408-273-0073 (from outside the US) 408-503-5230 (TTY) |
Cracked Sidewalk or Potholes |
Public Works Department (Operations) 650-496-5935 |
Debris in Storm Drain Grate (causing clogging) |
Public Works Department (Operations) 650-496-5935 |
Excess material surround trash receptacles |
Public Works Department (Solid Waste) 650-496-5914 |
Flooding Near Storm Drain |
Public Works Department (Operations) 650-496-5935 |
Graffiti on Public Buildings |
Public Works Department (Operations) 650-496-5945 |
Landlord Tenant Rights & Responsibilities |
CA Department of Consumer Affairs 800-952-5210 |
Leaf Blowers |
650-329-2605 |
Litter |
Public Works Department (Operations) 650-496-5945 |
Missing Storm Drain Cover |
Public Works Department (Operations) 650-496-5935 |
Mold |
800-232-4636 888-232-6348 (TTY) |
Newsracks |
Public Works Department (Engineering) 650-617-3103 |
Pavement Cleanliness for Sidewalks, Parking Lots |
Public Works Department (Operations) 650-496-5945 |
Property Maintenance | Planning Code Enforcement
650-329-2605 |
Spills/Dumping into Storm Drain Inlet/Street/Gutter |
Public Works Department (Watershed Protection) (650) 329-2421 |
Stickers on Public Property, (e.g. fire hydrants) |
Public Works Department (Operations) 650-496-5945 |
Tables and Chairs |
Public Works Department (Engineering) 650-617-3104 |
Tallow Bin/Fats, Oil and Grease (FOG) Issue |
Public Works Department (Watershed Protection) (650) 329-2421 |
Traffic Signs Bent or Damaged |
Public Works Department (Operations) 650-496-5945 |
Trash bin and cart cleanliness |
Public Works Department (Solid Waste) 650-496-5914 |
Trees in Public Ways |
650-496-5953 |
Unpermitted Fence Encroachment |
650-329-2605 |
Vector Control |
County of Santa Clara Vector Control District 800-675-1155 |
Vegetation Growing Over Sidewalk |
650-329-2605 |
Waste Management Bins Leaking |
Public Works Department (Watershed Protection) (650) 329-2421 |
Zoning Code | Planning Code Enforcement
650-329-2605 |