The viability of neighborhoods is extremely important in maintaining and improving the quality of life for our citizens. The neighborhood environment in terms of physical attractiveness and safety are the most critical elements that citizens use in evaluating livability in their community.

All of Merced’s neighborhoods should be places where people feel safe and take pride. In order to achieve these conditions throughout the community, additional Code Enforcement resources are made available in the budget.

The Code Enforcement Program strives to revitalize and maintain the viability of neighborhoods through cooperation and collaboration with citizens and other City Departments.

How Can I Do My Part?

What To Look For

Housing and Dangerous Buildings

Vandalism

Shopping Cart Contact List

Other Contact Information

Other Contact Information

Merced Municipal Code

How Do I? / FAQs

How Can I Do My Part?

 A successful program cannot be developed without you. Keep in mind that nobody cares more about a neighborhood than the people who live in it do. Here are some things that you can do to help:

• Start with improvements to your own property: Often just one person making improvements is enough to encourage an entire neighborhood to make changes.
• Look around: Become familiar with your neighborhood and its needs.
• Work with your neighbors: Work together towards a solution.
• Get involved: Get to know your neighbors; become part of your local Neighborhood Watch program. If there isn’t one in your area, get together with your neighbors and start one.

What to Look For

• Unsafe living conditions
• Abandoned appliances
• Illegal dumping
• Lack of regular landscape maintenance
• Dilapidated fences or buildings
• Overgrown vegetation
• Unsecured abandoned buildings
• Major repairs of vehicles in residential areas without a permit
• Illegal businesses in a residential area
• Parking on lawns
• Property conditions that could depreciate the value of neighboring properties
• Substandard building and housing conditions

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Housing and Dangerous Buildings

Code Enforcement enforces City and State mandated codes relating to residential and commercial structures that are dangerous, substandard, blighted, or vacant. Building owners are legally required to maintain their buildings and property to the standards set forth in the City Housing, Dangerous Building and Property Maintenance Codes.

City and State Codes also mandate that tenants or other persons who are in control of a property, building, residence, apartment or parcel of land are legally required to maintain their living, common areas, yards and lots in a safe and clean condition.

Common Code Violations include:

• Plumbing, electrical, mechanical hazards creating a danger to human health.
• Lack of heat in a dwelling unit.
• Lack of running water.
• Lack of electrical service.
• Lack of care, cleanliness, or sanitary conditions.
• Mechanical equipment not maintained in accordance with the manufactures specifications.
• Excessive infestation of rodents, cockroaches and other vector violations.
• Unsafe electrical conditions which present a clear and present danger of fire or electrocution.
• Defective or inadequate weather protection of exterior walls.
• Ceilings, roofs, vertical supports or other horizontal support that sag, split or buckle.
• Accumulation of inoperable or unlicensed vehicles stored on private property
• Major repairs of vehicles in drive or on lawn of private property

Call (209) 385-6237 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This is a general Code Enforcement line that is monitored daily during business hours. For any emergencies call Merced Police Department at (209) 385-6905.

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Vandalism

To report vandalism, call 385-8807 or 209-761-0954

Tools often used by vandals:

• Spray Paint
• Shoe Polish
• Permanent Markers
• Acrylic Paint
• Paint in a can
• Items or Substances to etch windows

Vandalism is a crime.

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Shopping Cart Contact List

If you wish to report a shopping cart that has strayed from the store it serves, please use the list below and contact the appropriate store representative:

VALLEY Cart: “Al”
209-602-7022
cartdude@msn.com
(formerly Metro Cart)

CSCRC (California Shopping Cart Retrieval)
800-252-4613
www.CSCRC.net
jsunda@cscrc.net

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Contact Information