Frequently Asked Questions

The Municipal Code defines public nuisances as "conditions and uses that are detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare, that promote blight, or which reduce property values in the city." The code includes regulations to promote the maintenance of property and enhance the appearance, habitability or occupancy, and safety of all structures in the City.

Frequently reported nuisance violations include accumulations of trash on private property, blight, graffiti, and other private property maintenance issues.  

On private property we recommend using San Bruno Responds. You may also email us at graffiti@sanbruno.ca.gov or leave a message on the Graffiti Hotline at 650-616-7141.      

On City property please contact Public Works at 650-616-7160.

On any freeways or state highways please submit a request directly to CalTrans using this form. 

On any BART property please submit a request directly to BART using this form.

On CalTrain or SamTrans property please call 800-660-4287. 

Overgrown vegetation complaints are handled by the Fire Prevention Office and can be reported via San Bruno Responds.  

Concerns over construction without a permit start with the San Bruno Building Department so that permit status and the need for a permit can be verified.  Concerns can be reported via San Bruno Responds.  

Once a complaint is received, the Code Enforcement Division will begin investigating the concern as our current caseload allows. The initial investigation involves verifying the concern, determining if the concern violates the San Bruno Municipal Code, researching who is responsible for the potential violation, and collecting documentation of the potential violation. 

 If it is determined that the circumstances violate the municipal code to the extent that a significant public nuisance is occurring, the Code Enforcement Division will begin contacting the responsible owner or resident and pursue voluntary compliance through education about the municipal code.  

 If voluntary compliance efforts fail and the public nuisance remains, Code Enforcement may pursue several levels of enforcement action, including a formal Notice of Violation or Administrative Citations. 

Code Enforcement addresses issues related to:

• Inoperable vehicles on private property
• Lawn or yard parking
• Blight (junk, trash, debris, outdoor storage, etc.)
• Graffiti

If you would like to submit a concern, we recommend using San Bruno Responds.  If you have a question and would like to speak directly with Code Enforcement please call 650-616-7087. 

Noise complaints are typically handled by San Bruno Police patrol officers. These complaints should be called in while the concern is actively occurring so that patrol officers can respond and mitigate or document the concern.  

Vehicles parked on the street for over 72 hours are not handled by the Code Enforcement Division, but can be reported to the San Bruno Police Traffic Division at 650-616-7100.  

Inoperable vehicles that create an immediate safety hazard to the public may be reported to Code Enforcement through San Bruno Responds or by phone at 650-616-7087. There is no requirement that vehicles on private property be periodically moved, but the Code Enforcement Division does investigate safety hazards that may endanger the public.