Calabasas Code Enforcement Guide for Homeowners

Last updated November 13, 2026. Reviewed by the Cash Home Buyers CA team.

Calabasas code enforcement sits inside the Building and Safety Division, with a direct line at (818) 224-CODE (2633) during business hours and a separate after-hours number. This guide explains how code enforcement works for Calabasas homeowners using what the city publishes: who to call, how to report a problem online, how the division approaches compliance, and what an open case means if you plan to sell.

The city’s pages did not publish a fine schedule or compliance deadlines, so this guide does not state any.

Calabasas code enforcement at a glance

Department	Code Enforcement, part of the Building and Safety Division, Community Development Department
Direct line (business hours)	(818) 224-CODE (2633)
After hours only	(818) 518-3201
Online reports	Report a Problem web portal on the city’s website, with a Code Enforcement Complaint Form listed under city services
Sheriff emergencies	Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Division, (818) 878-1808
Fire-related emergencies	Los Angeles County Fire Department Division, (818) 880-0341
Building and Safety counter	Monday to Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Fines and deadlines	Not published on the pages reviewed; ask the officer for the code section and compliance date on your notice

Where code enforcement fits

The city says the Building and Safety Division has four sections: the Permit Center, Inspections, Plan Check and Code Enforcement. Its inspectors check construction against the building codes and approved plans, and they also enforce requirements associated with planning, zoning and property maintenance in the municipal code. That is why a complaint about an unpermitted addition and a complaint about a yard can land in the same office.

How the city says it approaches compliance

The Code Enforcement page says officers prioritize education and outreach to encourage voluntary compliance. When voluntary compliance cannot be reached, the division works with the City Prosecutor’s Office to pursue advanced remedies, which the city says may include both civil and criminal actions. In practice, that means most cases should be resolved by cooperating early, and ignoring a notice is the path most likely to escalate.

How to report a problem

During business hours call the direct line at (818) 224-CODE (2633). After hours, the city lists (818) 518-3201. You can also use the Report a Problem web portal, which the city says lets you submit and track requests. Emergencies go to the Sheriff or the Fire Department rather than code enforcement.

How a typical case unfolds

1. A complaint or an observation

Cases usually begin with a neighbor’s report or an inspector’s own observation in the field. Call the direct line to report a problem or to ask about an existing file on your address.

2. A notice

A written notice describes the violation and sets a deadline. Keep every notice. Case numbers, dates and the officer’s name matter later when a buyer, title company or the city asks for proof of compliance.

3. Compliance and reinspection

You correct the problem and ask for reinspection. Ask the officer what evidence closes the case, such as photos, a permit or a final inspection sign-off.

4. Further action

If a violation continues, the city says the division may work with the City Prosecutor on civil or criminal remedies. Ask the officer exactly which code section applies and what the next step would be.

Responding to a notice: a practical checklist

Read the notice for the code section, the corrective action and the deadline. Call the officer and ask what would close the case. Photograph the condition before and after you fix it, since photos are the fastest proof. If you need more time, ask in writing before the deadline passes.

• Note the case number, officer name and date on every document.
• Ask whether you or the city schedules the reinspection.
• Ask whether any fee or penalty has been assessed and whether anything was recorded against the property.
• Keep receipts for hauling, landscaping, repairs and permits.

Unpermitted work as a code issue

Because inspectors in Calabasas enforce both construction and property maintenance rules, unpermitted work is a common source of cases. If a neighbor reports a new structure, the first question is whether a permit exists. Our Calabasas building permits guide explains how to find your permit history and what the division says about permit validity, and our zoning and ADU guide covers second units and garage conversions.

What buyers and title companies look for

When a house with a code history comes to market, buyers usually ask whether a case is open, whether anything was recorded against the property, and what the city required to close earlier cases. A folder with the notice, your correspondence and proof of compliance answers those questions fast.

If a case is still open, a buyer who needs a mortgage will often want it resolved first, while a cash buyer can often close with the house as it stands.

Common issues in older homes

California city code programs commonly cover overgrown or dead landscaping, accumulated junk, inoperable vehicles, unsafe or abandoned structures, unpermitted construction and unlicensed uses. If your house has been empty or rented out, walk the property with those categories in mind so you find problems before an officer does. The city’s page did not list specific violation categories, so ask the division what applies to your situation.

Vacant and inherited houses

An empty house is more likely to draw a complaint because no one is there to keep up the yard or secure the building.

If you inherited a house in Calabasas and are deciding what to do, address visible issues first, such as trash, weeds and open doors, and keep a record of what you did and when.

Our statewide guide on selling an inherited home covers the probate and tax side of that decision.

Keeping a clean record with the city

Write down every call and email. Ask for the officer’s name and the case number on the first contact. If you disagree with a notice, ask the city in writing how to request review, and do not ignore the deadline while you wait. A closed case with written confirmation is far easier to hand to a buyer than a case that simply stopped getting letters.

When repairs cost more than the house can bear

Some cases involve repairs that are not worth making before a sale, such as deferred maintenance, a structure built without permits or years of neglect. Owners in that situation often compare the repair bill and the time it takes with an as-is offer. A cash buyer purchases the house in its current condition, and the buyer takes on the open items after closing, subject to what you disclose.

Violations and selling a Calabasas house

A notice of violation does not stop you from selling, but it shapes the sale. Buyers who finance usually need the issue cleared, while cash buyers can often close with it open. Our guides on selling as-is, seller closing costs and selling with tenants cover the disclosure and cost side.

For a Calabasas home with an open case, a good first step is simply to find out where it stands:

• Ask the city for the full case file, including photos and inspection notes.
• Confirm the compliance deadline and any extension rules.
• Check whether penalties or a lien are attached to the parcel.
• Decide which fixes you can afford before listing.
• Request a cash offer so you can compare an as-is sale with the repair route.

How to sell a house in Calabasas

1. Check which structures, additions and conversions on the property have city permits.
2. Collect permits, plans and any city notices.
3. Request a no-obligation cash offer for the house as it stands.
4. Choose your closing date.
5. Close with no repairs, permit cleanup or showings required.

See also our Calabasas page and the Los Angeles County hub.

Frequently asked questions

Who handles code enforcement in Calabasas?

Code Enforcement is part of the Building and Safety Division. The direct line during business hours is (818) 224-CODE (2633).

How do I report a code violation in Calabasas?

Call (818) 224-2633 during business hours, call (818) 518-3201 after hours, or use the Report a Problem web portal on the city’s website.

How does Calabasas enforce its codes?

The city says officers prioritize education and outreach to encourage voluntary compliance, and work with the City Prosecutor’s Office on civil or criminal remedies when voluntary compliance cannot be achieved.

What are the fines for code violations in Calabasas?

The city pages reviewed for this guide do not publish a fine schedule. Ask the officer for the code section and any penalties on your notice.

Who do I call for an emergency in Calabasas?

The city lists the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Division at (818) 878-1808 and the Los Angeles County Fire Department Division at (818) 880-0341 for emergencies, not code enforcement.

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

Yes. You can disclose the case and sell as-is, including to a cash buyer. Our statewide guide explains disclosure.

More guides

• We Buy Houses in Calabasas
• We Buy Houses in Los Angeles County
• Los Angeles County Property Tax Guide
• Calabasas Building Permits Guide
• Calabasas Zoning and ADU Guide
• Hidden Hills Building Permits Guide
• La Cañada Flintridge Building Permits Guide
• All California Guides

Sources

• City of Calabasas: Code Enforcement Division
• City of Calabasas: Report a Problem
• City of Calabasas: Introduction to Building and Safety
• City of Calabasas: Counter Hours and Contact Information

This guide is general information from public sources, not legal advice. Confirm current rules, fees and hours with the city.