FAQs • Dublin • CivicEngage

What common types of violations are enforced?: For more information regarding common types of violations, please visit the Common Types of Violations webpage.

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Code Enforcement

1. Which City Ordinances apply to property use and maintenance?

The Dublin Zoning Ordinance and the Property Maintenance Ordinance apply to property use and maintenance.

The Dublin Zoning Ordinance addresses a wide range of topics related to the permissible use of private property, including: permitted and conditional land uses within established zoning districts, business signs, vehicle and RV parking and storage, residential yard and building setbacks, building and fence heights, home businesses (a.k.a. Home Occupations) and accessory storage sheds or other structures in yards.

The Property Maintenance Ordinance addresses nuisance type issues that are visible from a public street and have usually gone on for some time such as: failure to dispose of trash in a timely manner, household items stored outdoors, garbage and debris accumulation, hazardous and/or unsightly conditions on private property, including unkempt properties.

You can discuss these Ordinances further with a Code Enforcement Officer at (925) 833-6610.

2. Who do I call when I feel someone is in violation of the Ordinance?: For a list of agencies/departments to call for different violations, please visit the Complaints & Contacts webpage.

3. How tall can a fence, wall, or hedge be on my residential property?

Height limits are as follows:

Front yard: Four feet
Side yard: Six feet
Street side yard: Six feet
Rear yard: Six feet
Traffic visibility area: Two feet, six inches

Residential Fence, Wall and hedge Regulations

4. Can I build a fence higher than six feet?: Yes. A side yard, street side yard, or back yard fence or wall located in a Residential district may be extended an additional two feet (eight feet total height) through the use of a framed wooden lattice capable of admitting not less than 50% light.

5. What is a traffic visibility area?: The traffic visibility area is the area on a corner lot formed by measuring 30 feet from the intersection of two street-side lot lines and connecting the two points.
For more details or a diagram, please contact the Planner on duty in the Planning Division at (925) 833-6610.

6. What types of fences are prohibited?

The following fences are prohibited in the City of Dublin:

Barbed wire
Electrified
Razor wire fences
Chain-link fences in most areas

Call the Planning Division at (925) 833-6610 for more information on chain linked fences.

7. What are the property line setbacks for an accessory structure?

Please refer to Zoning Ordinance Section 8.040.020 or contact the Planning Division at (925) 833-6610 for clarification.

Please contact the Planning Division prior to constructing an accessory structure.

Residential Accessory Structures Brochure

8. Does an accessory structure require a building permit?: To find out if your proposed accessory structure requires a Building Permit please contact the Building & Safety Division at (925) 833-6620 or visit the Building & Safety Building Permit webpage.

9. Can I keep my inoperable vehicle in my driveway?: No. The City prohibits the parking of non-operational and/or unregistered vehicles in public view.

10. Can I park a vehicle registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles as non-operational in public view?: No. Vehicles registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles as non-operational are not considered to be registered vehicles for the purpose of the City ordinance and may not be parked in public view.

11. Where can I park my recreational vehicle (RV)?: Please refer to Zoning Ordinance Section 8.76.070 (14) or contact the Planner on duty in the Planning Division at (925) 833-6610 for more details.
Residential RV Parking

12. Can I repair vehicles in my driveway?: No. No vehicles shall be parked in the front yard, side yard, or driveway for the purpose of repair, dismantling, or painting. Repair shall mean brake repair, engine or transmission repair or replacement, the replacement of parts under the hood of a vehicle (with exception of fluids, batteries, and filters) and the replacement of parts under the vehicles.
Residential Auto Repair Regulations Brochure

13. Can I have a home occupation?: Yes. Home Occupations are permitted in conjunction with a City of Dublin Business License provided that the business is compatible with, and does not change the character of the surrounding residential area. The business must not generate more traffic, noise, odors, visual impact, or storage of materials than would normally be expected in a Residential district. For more information as to what type of Home Occupations are allowed, please refer to Zoning Ordinance Section 8.64.040 or contact the Planning Division at (925) 833-6610.
Home Occupation Regulations Brochure

14. Do I need a business license even if my business is not located in Dublin? How do I get one?: All entities and persons doing business in the City of Dublin (including subcontractors) are required to have a current City of Dublin Business License. This includes home-based businesses, as well as those in commercial areas. It also includes non-Dublin businesses that come in to Dublin to provide services or deliver goods for a fee.
Business Licenses must be obtained within 30 days of the starting date of your business. Business License Application Forms

15. Can I park my company vehicle in a residential district?: Yes. Only one company vehicle, which includes a truck, van, or automobile may be parked in a Residential district, provided that the vehicle is three-quarters of a ton or less.

16. Can I park my commercial vehicle in a residential district?: Commercial vehicles may only be parked in a Residential district (on or off the street) for a period no more than two hours in a 24-hour period; except for the purpose of loading or unloading property, or in connection with the performance of a service to or on property in the immediate vicinity.

17. Where can I store my Amador Valley Industries (AVI) solid waste containers?: All residential collection containers must be removed the day after collection so as not to be visible from the public street, except for such containers stored in side yards.

18. Does the City have a Heritage Tree Ordinance?: Yes. The Ordinance prohibits removing any of the following trees without a permit from any property within the City of Dublin: any oak, bay, cypress, maple, redwood, buckeye, or sycamore tree having a trunk or main stem of 24 inches or more in diameter, measured at four feet, six inches above natural grade.
It is also prohibited to remove any tree that has been preserved as part of a Development Agreement, Zoning Permit, Use Permit, Site Development Review, Subdivision Map, or planted as a replacement for an unlawfully removed tree.
Heritage Tree Ordinance Brochure

19. How can I obtain a tree removal permit application?: Tree removal permit applications can be obtained from the Community Development Department. For more information, call the Planning Division at (925) 833-6610.

20. Can I have a garage / yard sale?: Yes. The temporary sale of used household or personal articles held on the sellers own residential premises is permitted so long as such sales are limited to two days per event and are not conducted on the same lot more than four times within a calendar year.

21. How many dogs / cats can I have?: Without the issuance of an Animal Fanciers Permit, the City of Dublin only permits the keeping of no more than two dogs or two cats in any Residential district. To find out how to apply for an Animal Fanciers Permit, please call Alameda County Animal Control at (925) 803-7042.

22. Can I have an auto shade structure in my driveway?: No accessory structure, with the exception of an approved entry feature, shall be located in the front yard, the area between the front yard and the residence, or within the portion of the side yard or a street-side yard that projects in front of the residence.

23. What is a Code Violation?: For information regarding violations, please visit the Code Violation webpage.

24. What can I do about the tree branch hanging over my neighbor's fence?: Unfortunately this is a civil issue. Please visit the Dublin Library and review the book "Neighbor Law." This book, which can be located in the Reference Section of the Library, is a good source of information that can assist and guide residents in how to address civil matters such as this.

25. As a Business Owner in Dublin, do I need a special permit to display promotional advertisement such as a sign or balloon?: Yes. The display of promotional banners, flags, balloon, searchlights, or similar advertising devices are regulated by the Zoning Ordinance (Ch. 8.84) and require the issuance of a Temporary Promotional Permit. For more information on requirements or how to apply for a Temporary Promotional Permit, please contact the Planning Division at (925) 833-6610. Applications are typically approved over the counter on the same day that the application is received.
Temporary Promotional Sign Regulations

26. Can I raise chickens or other livestock in my backyard?: The keeping of livestock (including "poultry") in any Residential district within the City of Dublin is regulated by the Alameda County Animal Control. An Animal Fanciers Permit would be required for anyone wanting to keep livestock. For additional information regarding an Animal Fanciers Permit, please contact Alameda County Animal Control at (925) 803-7042.

27. Who do I call when I feel someone is in violation of the Ordinance?

Call the Planning Division at (925) 833-6610 and ask to speak to the Code Enforcement Officer.

When you call to file a complaint, be prepared to give the address of the property and the problem and/or condition that exists. Once a complaint is received, a site visit of the property will be conducted, usually within a week. If any violations exist, the owner and/or tenant of the property will be contacted and compliance will be requested. If required, a letter is sent to the property owner/tenant stating the nature of the violation, the specific ordinance section, and requesting compliance within a certain time period.

The amount of time that the owner/tenant is given to correct the violation depends on the type and severity of the violation. A follow-up visit to the site will be made to determine compliance or correction of the violation. Additional actions will be taken for continual non-compliance such as issuing written warning notices, holding a public hearing, and issuing a citation to appear in court.

28. Who do I contact if I have observed Graffiti in my neighborhood?: If you have been the victim of graffiti vandalism, you may report the incident to Dublin Police Services by calling (925) 462-1212. After the vandalism report has been taken, please remove the graffiti at your earliest convenience. If you are not the victim, please report the incident to the Community Development Department at (925) 833-6610. A Code Enforcement Staff member will respond, document the incident, and request that the graffiti be removed by the property owner in a timely manner.

29. Is my report of a violation anonymous?: California Government Code Section 6254 provides that records of investigation of complaints are not public records. Therefore, investigations of complaints will be kept confidential and information will not be disclosed except as required by a court order.
For more information, visit the Filing A Complaint webpage.