Clovis Code Enforcement Guide for Homeowners and Sellers

Last updated November 13, 2026. Reviewed by the Cash Home Buyers CA team. Information comes from City of Clovis Police Department Code Enforcement pages and the Clovis Municipal Code; sources are listed at the end.

In Clovis, code enforcement sits within the Police Department’s neighborhood services work, and officers notify owners of violations so that conditions hurting a neighborhood are addressed. If you own a Clovis house with a violation, an unpermitted addition or a neighbor complaint, this guide explains how reports work, what the city can do, and how an open case affects a sale.

Clovis code enforcement at a glance

What does Clovis code enforcement handle?

The city lists these as common code problems: abandoned shopping carts, abandoned vehicles, construction without required permits, illegal signage, inappropriate land use, public nuisance properties, unsafe structures, unsecured swimming pools and unlicensed vendors. For homeowners, the most relevant are construction without permits, nuisance conditions, unsafe structures, unsecured pools and land use problems such as an unapproved second dwelling or business use.

The city also publishes a complaint process handout and a form tied to California Health and Safety Code section 17920.3, which defines substandard buildings. A building can be treated as substandard for conditions such as inadequate sanitation, structural hazards, faulty electrical or plumbing, or lack of required fire protection, and substandard conditions can trigger repair or vacate orders.

How to report or respond to a Clovis code complaint

1. Reporting. Use the Customer Service Request application on the city website or call (559) 324-2800.
2. Officer review. An officer reviews the complaint and may inspect from the street or contact the owner.
3. Notice to the owner. Officers notify property owners of violations and what must be corrected.
4. Correction. The owner corrects the condition, or pulls permits if the issue is unpermitted work.
5. Escalation. If the problem is not corrected, the city has formal tools described below.

What can the city do if a violation is not fixed?

Chapter 8.1 of the Clovis Municipal Code, the building code chapter, says it is unlawful to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert, demolish, equip, use, occupy or maintain a building or structure in violation of the code. A violation is a misdemeanor, and each day that it continues is a separate offense. The Building Official or a designee may then take any or all of the following steps:

• Issue an administrative citation under Chapter 1.7 of Title 1 of the municipal code.
• Issue a court citation, called a Notice to Appear, under Chapter 1.2 of Title 1.
• Ask the City Attorney to start legal action.

Because each day can count separately, a long-running violation can become expensive, and unpaid penalties or abatement costs can attach to the property. The city’s building permit chapter also makes it unlawful to begin work before permits are issued, so unpermitted additions or conversions can be cited as both a permit and a building code problem.

Common Clovis violations homeowners face

• Construction without permits. Additions, patio covers, garage conversions and structural changes done without permits. See our Clovis building permits guide.
• Unsecured swimming pools. The city lists these as a common problem and publishes Swimming Pool Safety Act requirements.
• Unsafe or substandard structures. Hazards can lead to repair or vacate requirements.
• Public nuisance properties. Accumulated trash, inoperable vehicles and similar conditions visible to neighbors.
• Illegal signage and unlicensed vendors. More common at rental and business properties.
• Unapproved dwelling units. A garage or room rented as a separate unit may need to be legalized. See our Clovis zoning and ADU guide.

Rental property and landlord duties

The city provides forms for apartment managers to update contact information and for owners to authorize police trespass enforcement on commercial or residential property. The building division also publishes a tenant and landlord handout. If you own a rental with open complaints, keep the manager’s contact information current so notices reach the right person and do not escalate unseen.

How code violations affect selling a house in Clovis

An open violation does not prevent a sale, but it stays with the property. A buyer’s lender or title company may find an open case, and unpaid penalties may need to be settled at closing. California sellers must also disclose known problems; see our guide to California seller disclosures.

On a traditional listing the usual choices are to correct the issue first, negotiate a credit, or accept a lower price.

How to sell a Clovis house with a code violation

1. Get the facts. Read the notice, note any deadline and ask the officer what is required to close the case.
2. Document your progress. Photos, receipts and written confirmations from the city help if you start corrections.
3. Price the fix. Compare the cost and timeline of correcting the problem with selling as-is.
4. Choose your path. Fix and list, list with a credit, or sell as-is to a cash buyer who takes the violation on.
5. Disclose honestly. A cash sale does not change disclosure duties, but it removes inspection and financing delays.

We buy Clovis houses in any condition. Read how selling a house as-is in Clovis works, or see our Clovis cash-offer process. For the statewide picture, read our guide to selling as-is with unpermitted work.

Dealing with a Clovis code case and thinking about selling? Call (424) 435-2326 or request a cash offer. There is no cost and no obligation.

Clovis code enforcement FAQ

How do I report a code violation in Clovis?

Use the city’s online Customer Service Request application or call (559) 324-2800.

What happens if I ignore a Clovis building code violation?

The municipal code treats a building code violation as a misdemeanor with each day a separate offense. The city can issue an administrative citation, a court citation or refer the matter to the City Attorney.

Who handles code enforcement in Clovis?

The Police Department’s code enforcement and neighborhood preservation work. Building permit questions go to the Building Division.

Can I sell a Clovis house with an open code case?

Yes. An open case does not legally stop a sale, though unpaid penalties may need to be paid at closing. A cash buyer can purchase the house as-is.

Sources

• City of Clovis: Code Enforcement
• Clovis Municipal Code Chapter 8.1: Building Code
• City of Clovis: Building Division

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Penalties and procedures change; confirm requirements with the City of Clovis.