Frequently Asked Questions -- City of Hermosa Beach, CA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who do I call if I need to connect/disconnect my water service?: California Water Service Co., 310/257-1400.
Who do I call to report potholes? Graffiti? Street Lights? Traffic Lights? Broken sidewalks? Park concerns/issues? Sewers?: Contact the Public Works Department at 310/318-0214 for any of the above issues or to report any other problems relating to street maintenance and/or traffic safety.

Animals

Who do I contact about a lost pet?: Call Animal Control 318-0209 or Police Business Office, 318-0360. They will contact Animal Control.
How do I dispose of a dead animal?: Call Animal Control 318-0209. They will collect the animal.

Streets/Parking/Automobiles

Is it possible to get my street repaved?: All requests must be in writing to the Director of Public Works/City Engineer, City of Hermosa Beach, 1315 Valley Drive, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254.
Parking meter enforcement.: "With the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day, all parking meters are enforced."
Does the street sweeper sweep on holidays?: The sweeper does not sweep on the following holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas.
How do I get guest parking permits?: Contact the Finance Cashier 318-0217
How do I report a blocked storm drain?: Call Public Works Department 318-0214.
A car has been parked in front of my house for days, what can I do?: Contact Parking Enforcement 318-0209; if the car is blocking access, contact Police 318-0360.

Refuse/Trash Collection

Will the trash company pick up an oversized item?

Call Consolidated Waste directly at 800/299-4898 to make arrangements.

What do I need to do before obtaining a dumpster or moving storage bin?

Please come to the Public Works Department to obtain a permit. Permit hours are 7:00-8:30 a.m., and 4:30-6:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

Where is the nearest public dump?

Carson Transfer Station
321 W. Francisco St.
Carson, CA 90745
(310) 217-6300

American Waste Inc.
449 W. Rosecrans Ave.
Gardena CA
(310) 523-9555

BFI Transfer Station
2509 W. Rosecrans Ave.
Los Angeles, CA
(888) 742-5234

Marriage

Where do I get a Marriage License?: County Clerk's Office. Nearest Office:
Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
11701 S. La Cienega Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90045
(310) 727-6142
Office Hours: 8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday through Friday
Can I get married on the beach?: Yes, with certain restrictions. Call Community Resources 318-0280.

Business

Can I sell from a cart in Hermosa Beach?

No.

Where can I obtain a passport?

Hermosa Beach City Clerk's Office 1315 Valley Drive Hermosa Beach CA 90254 (310) 318-0203, by appointment ONLY Monday-Thursday 7am to 12 pm.

Redondo Beach City Clerk's Office 415 Diamond Street Redondo Beach CA 90277 (310) 318-0656, Monday-Thursday 9:30am -3:30pm.

Redondo Beach Main Post Office 1201 N Catalina Ave Redondo Beach CA 90277-9998 (310) 376-3252, Monday-Friday, 9:00am - 3:30pm

Lawndale Post Office 4320 Marine Avenue, Lawndale CA 90260 (310)679-9804, Monday-Friday 10am – 3:00pm

Torrance City Clerk's Office 3031 Torrance Blvd. Torrance CA 90503 (310) 618-2870, By Appointment ONLY, Monday-Friday, 8:30am – 11:30am

Torrance Main Post Office 2510 Monterey Street Torrance CA 90503-9998 (310) 222-5902, Monday-Friday, 9:00am to 2:00 pm.

Landlord/Tenant/Neighbor Disputes

Is there rent control in Hermosa Beach?

No.

Is there Section 8 Housing in Hermosa Beach?

No.

I'm having trouble with my landlord/tenant.

Contact:
South Bay Center for Dispute Resolution, (310) 376-7007.
No charge to Hermosa Beach residents.
Department of Consumer Affairs (State) (213) 974-1452

I am having trouble with my neighbor's fence/tree/etc.

Contact: South Bay Center for Dispute Resolution, (310) 376-7007. No charge to Hermosa Beach residents.

I think I have mold in my house/apartment. Who do I call?

You should be aware that the identification of types of molds and the determination of the possible toxic nature of them is a complex science and may require the hiring of professional experts in the field.

If you have health concerns, contact the Los Angeles County Health Department at (213) 250-8055.

To address building concerns, i.e. leaking plumbing or roofing, you can contact Bob Rollins at (310) 318-0235 in our Building Division of the Community Development Department.

Recreation

Who do I call to reserve a spot at a park for a party or picnic?: Call Community Resources, 318-0280.
I'm having a block party, who do I contact to get permission to close the street?: Contact the Police Department: 318-0301.

Fees/Fines/Licenses

Can I pay my parking ticket online or by phone?: No, you may download the Authorization for Credit Card Charge form on our website to pay by credit card. The form may be faxed or sent in. A signature is needed to process the credit card transaction.
How do I contest a parking ticket?: Contact Community Services, Administrative Review at 318-0249 or Finance Cashier at 318-0223, or you may download the Request for Administrative Review Form from our website. The form must be received by City Hall, Finance Cashier Division within 35 days of the date that the ticket was issued.

Seniors

Where can I find transportation assistance?: Contact the Finance Cashier at: 318-0251.

Inspections, permits and zoning

What time will my inspection be?

Call the Community Development Department at (310) 318-0235 the morning of your inspection between 8:30 am and 9:00 am and your inspector will let you know if it will be a morning or afternoon appointment, (no specific time can be given)

What time are the inspectors available for counter help and phone calls?

Between the hours of 7 am to 9 am and 4pm to 6 pm.

When do I need a permit?

Click here

What's the zoning of my property (or property I'm considering purchasing)?

Zoning is shown on the official zoning map. The zoning map is not yet available on our web site, so to determine the zoning you can obtain a zoning map from the Community Development Department (1315 Valley Drive, 1st floor) or you can call (310) 318-0242, and with the address we can provide the zoning information.

Zoning and General Plan Maps

How many units can I build on my property (or on the property I'm considering purchasing)?

It depends on the zoning category. If zoned R-1 its limited to one unit, if zoned R-1A, R-2, R-2B or R-3 it depends on the lot size and is a function of the lot area per dwelling unit standard (See zoning summary)

How much can I build?

It depends on the zoning of the property, and is a function of the height limit, lot coverage, yard, parking and other development standards of the zone. For general standards regarding residential properties you can refer to the Residential Zoning Summary.

If I want to add on/alter a building where do I start, and what plans do I need to submit?

Any alterations in walls, windows, or structural elements or any expansion to the building will require the submittal of plans. If you cannot draw accurate plans yourself, you can start by consulting with a design professional or architect to prepare plans. Any addition in building height or an extension outside the existing perimeter of the building will require a lot survey. You may want to consult with a licensed land surveyor or civil engineer to prepare a lot survey prior to contacting a design professional. For a listing of the submittal requirements and information needed for the initial plan submittal please refer to the Plan Submittal Requirements handout.