Common Code Concerns & Contacts

Who should I call?

Find common code concerns and the best agencies or departments to contact about these concerns below. If you do not see your concern listed here, call us at (650) 329-2605 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

Palo Alto Police

 650-329-2258

Building Codes

Planning Code Enforcement

 650-329-2605

Business Signage Placed on Public Property

Planning Code Enforcement

 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

Planning Code Enforcement

 650-329-2605

Litter

Public Works Department (Operations)

 650-496-5945

Missing Storm Drain Cover

Public Works Department (Operations)

 650-496-5935

Mold

Center for Disease Control

 800-232-4636

 888-232-6348 (TTY)

 Neighbor to Neighbor Concerns

Palo Alto Mediation Program

 650-856-4062

Newsracks

Public Works Department (Engineering)

 650-617-3103

Pavement Cleanliness for Sidewalks, Parking Lots

Public Works Department (Operations)

 650-496-5945

Project Sentinel

Project Sentinel (local provider contracted by the City to provide housing services)

1-800-339-6043

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

Palo Alto Urban Forestry

 650-496-5953

Unpermitted Fence Encroachment

Planning Code Enforcement

 650-329-2605

Vector Control

County of Santa Clara Vector Control District

 800-675-1155

Vegetation Growing Over Sidewalk

Planning Code Enforcement

 650-329-2605

Waste Management Bins Leaking

Public Works Department (Watershed Protection)

 (650) 329-2421

Zoning Code

Planning Code Enforcement

 650-329-2605