Chicken Keeping

Can you keep chickens in Vacaville?  The answer is yes, under certain circumstances.

For more information please click on this link to a Vacaville Chicken Keeping pamphlet. 

If you have any questions please contact Code Enforcement at (707)-449-5693 or CodeEnforcement@cityofvacaville.com

Parking on Private Property

• Vehicles may not be parked or kept on the front lawn or unimproved surfaces. 
• Vehicles may only be parked in the driveway of your home on "improved, surfaces" such as concrete, asphalt, brick, or fitted stone.
• Vehicles without tires, hoods, or with broken windows that are on blocks, jacks or other support are not considered to be in working order. They may be towed away regardless of whether they are on public or private property
• Dismantled or wrecked vehicles and vehicles undergoing active repairs may be parked in the driveway of a home for up to 10 days. (Please note: "vehicles" include motor vehicles, boats, RVs, campers, trailers, and any of their parts.)
• A vehicle that doesn't work may be parked in the driveway of a home on private property IF:
  • It looks as if it could be safely driven on public street,
  • The driveway is made of an impervious surface, such as concrete, asphalt, brick, etc. 

Overgrown Weeds or Accumulations in Yards

Vacant Properties

• Changes to the Public Nuisance Ordinance became effective on August 22, 2008, that require property owners, property managers, lenders, or anyone having charge or possession of the property to: 
  • Secure the structure.
  • Maintain the landscaping and the exterior of the structure.
  • If, a property has a swimming pool or spa:
    • Secure access gates and maintain the pool barrier.
    • Keep the water clean, clear, and free of debris (or drain it and keep it dry).
  • Remove exterior trash and debris.
  • Remove exterior abandoned or discarded personal property.
  • Regularly remove newspapers, circulars, and flyers (except those required by law).
  • Notify Code Enforcement, in writing of the person in charge of the property and their phone number (if the property is vacant or anticipated to be vacant 30 days or longer).
  • Hire a local property management company to perform weekly inspections of the property (if the owner, is outside the local area).
  • Any owner of a foreclosed or vacant building shall register the property in the City of Vacaville’s monitoring program within thirty (30) days of the building becoming vacant in accordance with Vacaville Municipal Code (VMC) section 8.10.030. If you are an owner of a vacant property, please fill out and submit our Vacant Property Form [PDF]

• Branches and limbs of trees and shrubs must be no lower than:
  • 7 feet over sidewalks; and 
  • 14 feet over city streets.
• Construction and landscaping materials may be stored in front yards for up to 30 days.

• The Vacaville Municipal Code also requires a clear path on public sidewalks of at least 36 inches.
• An Encroachment Permit is required to do work in the public right-of-way.

For questions regarding the Vacaville Municipal Code, please call Code Enforcement at 449-5693 or review the Municipal Code.

The City of Vacaville experiences hot and dry weather which creates a fire hazard when vegetation dries out and becomes extremely flammable. Many devastating fires can be prevented with a proper weed abatement program.

Vacaville has adopted a Weeds and Rubbish Abatement Ordinance (Vacaville Municipal Code, Chapter 8.04), requiring the removal of dry vegetation, weeds, rubbish, and other fire hazards. On or about June 1st, Code Enforcement conducts Weed Abatement inspection(s) to ensure all dry vegetation, weeds, rubbish and other fire hazards have been removed from your property in accordance with the City’s Weeds and Rubbish Abatement Ordinance.

If your property is not in compliance by June 1st, the City has the authority to abate the violations at the property owner’s expense. This may include administrative fines, citations, costs and expenses, and may become a lien or special assessment upon the property. Costs and fines for abatement may include: direct contractor expenses, fines of $100 for the first day, $500 for the second day, and $1,000 for the third and each subsequent day that your property remains in violation of the Weeds and Rubbish Abatement Ordinance, and the City of Vacaville’s administrative costs and expenses in compelling you to correct the violations. You can avoid these costs by ensuring your property is in compliance by June 1st.

For more details on weed abatement on your property, click here

Vacaville Fire Department's Weed Abatement Requirements PDF

It's Your Place - Keep it Fire Safe! PDF

1. How do I submit a complaint to Code Enforcement?

• You can submit a complaint by emailing CodeEnforcement@cityofvacaville.com. If you would like to speak to someone directly you can call the Code Enforcement phone number (707)-449-5693.
  • Code Enforcement Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m., every other Friday closed. To view the City Hall calendar click here. 

2. What information do I need when submitting or calling about a complaint?

• Your name and phone number but you can remain anonymous. You would also need to submit your official complaint and the exact address of the problem.

3. What are some common code complaints?

• Trash and debris on private property
• Vehicles parked on lawns/unimproved surfaces on private property
• Trash cans put out too early or left out past your pick up day and cans blocking the sidewalk
• Overgrown weeds on private property

4. I want to make a complaint about a vehicle parked on the street. Who do I talk to?

• Complaints about vehicles parked in the street go to Vehicle Abatement in the Police Department and the phone number is (707)-449-5283

To submit a complaint, please contact our Code Enforcement Unit at 707-449-5693 or e-mail CodeEnforcement@cityofvacaville.com.

Code Enforcement is located in the Fire Administration office at City Hall (650 Merchant Street). The office hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m., with every other Friday closed. City Hall Calendar