Code Enforcement

Leo Ryan Park and Lagoon

Code Enforcement is one of the responsibilities of the Community Development Department in which codes, the standards and laws of the city, are enforced to assure that the City preserves the safety, health, welfare and appearance of the City. Together, the Code Enforcement staff work with other City employees to enforce city codes.

Code Enforcement is the shared responsibility of all residents, property owners and City Government.

City of Foster City/EMID Code Enforcement Policy Number CE-01-07

ENFORCEMENT

The City's code enforcement program is primarily implemented as a combination of neighborhood drive-through and on a complaint driven basis. Complaints can be submitted by mail, phone, e-mail, our online complaint app, or in person at City Hall.

Complaints are prioritized by their severity and over all threat to public health and safety.

OUR INVESTIGATION PRIORITIES

  1. Conditions/problems that pose an immediate or serious threat to the health, safety or welfare of the public.
  2. Conditions/problems that are not presently a risk or danger, but are expected to be in a short period of time.
  3. Conditions/problems that are of high priority or concern to the City Council/Estero Municipal District Board of Directors, e/g/, EMID Code/Water Conservation and Rationing.
  4. Conditions/problems which are not expected to pose a threat, but which may negatively affect the appearance of the City/District.

CODE ENFORCEMENT ROLE

  • To work with City staff and members of the community to enforce the Foster City Municipal Code and City regulations. It is the Code Enforcement Officer’s duty to receive complaints, inspect code violations, inform property owners of current violations, and work with them to bring the property in to compliance with City ordinances.

CODE ENFORCEMENT PROCESS 

  • Complaint received – Review Foster City Municipal Code to ensure complaint is in violation of City standards.
  • Investigate Complaint – Inspect property from public right-of-way to confirm complaint.
  • Notification Process – Series of three letters mailed to inform owner/residents of the code violation. These letters are intended to have the code violation corrected or to open a line of communication to set up a reasonable timeline to complete the work.
  • City Attorney Referral – If there is no contact or cooperation to correct the code violation the case would be referred to the City Attorney’s Office for possible legal action.
  • Case Closed – Once the violation is corrected the code enforcement case will be closed.

REPORT A CODE VIOLATION

  • All complaints can be reported by:
  • Please be advised that all complaints are considered confidential

CODE ENFORCEMENT COUNTER APPOINTMENTS

Code Enforcement counter is now open to discuss related inquiries.

Code Enforcement counter walk-in hours are as follows:

10:00 am - 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm, Monday - Thursday, Closed from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm, Closed on Fridays

Code Enforcement counter is closed the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month from 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Code Enforcement appointments may also be scheduled during the following hours: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm, Closed on Fridays

Please use the link below to schedule a one on one appointment with city staff.

CODE ENFORCEMENT PHONE HOURS

8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday, Closed from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

  • You can report violations after hours by contacting Foster City Code Enforcement and City Staff will respond within 1 business day of receiving the complaint.
  • If complaint is regarding noise, odor, business operations, or unpermitted construction after normal business hours please contact Foster City Police Department’s Non-Emergency Number by calling (650) 286-3238.

 

Learn more about Code Enforcement:

Supporting Documents

PDF icon Code Enforcement Policy CE-01-07 (1015 KB)
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