Avalon Code Enforcement Guide for Homeowners

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

The City of Avalon says code enforcement is the process by which it ensures compliance with the laws and regulations in the Avalon Municipal Code, and residents can report a possible violation by calling 310-510-0220 ext. 111 or by submitting one of the city’s complaint forms. This guide explains how to report or respond to a code matter in Avalon, the rental inspection and transient rental rules that often drive cases, and what to do about an open case if you want to sell.

The pages we could read do not publish a general fine schedule or correction deadlines, so ask for those in writing.

Avalon code enforcement at a glance

Office	Planning and Building Department, City of Avalon
Address	410 Avalon Canyon Road, Avalon, CA 90704
Report a violation	310-510-0220 ext. 111, or a complaint form from the city’s Report a Concern page
Nontransient rentals	Chapter 5-40: business license required; inspections about every three years; no fee for the initial inspection or first reinspection
Notice of noncompliance	Correction time of not less than 30 calendar days; extension requests due two business days before the deadline, up to 60 days
Late inspection fee penalty	$50 the first of the month after the due date plus $50 monthly, to a $500 maximum
Criminal penalty	Misdemeanor: fine up to $1,000, up to six months in county jail, or both; city attorney may treat as an infraction
Transient rentals	Each day operated without a Transient Rental License is a separate violation

How reporting works

The city’s code enforcement page describes the function as the process that ensures compliance with the Avalon Municipal Code. Its Report a Concern page lists 310-510-0220 ext. 111 for a possible violation and links complaint forms, including an animal complaint form and a compliance complaint form.

If you received a notice, ask the officer for the case number, the code section cited, what counts as corrected, the compliance date and how to request a re-inspection.

We could not read the full text of the code enforcement page, so this guide does not describe the stages of a case or any general fine schedule. Ask the department for a written description of the process that applies to your notice.

Rental inspection program (Chapter 5-40)

Chapter 5-40 applies to residential rental property rented for 30 consecutive days or longer. An owner who operates a nontransient rental must first obtain a city business license. The director endeavors to inspect each rental about once every three years.

There is no fee for the initial inspection or the first reinspection, and later reinspections carry a fee set by council resolution, payable by the owner and not the tenant.

Unpaid fees draw a $50 penalty on the first day of the following month and another $50 each month after, to a maximum of $500.

The city issues notice of an inspection at least 13 days ahead, and a prescheduled inspection can be rescheduled no later than five days before. The inspection report follows within 15 calendar days.

If a unit does not comply, the notice of noncompliance gives a reasonable time to correct, not less than 30 calendar days, and an extension request must be filed at least two business days before the deadline, with extensions capped at 60 calendar days beyond the original period.

A notice of noncompliance is a warning and is not separately appealable, though later enforcement actions can be appealed through their own process.

Several units are exempt, including owner-occupied units (if other units on the property are covered), newly built units for five years after the certificate of occupancy, and units already inspected by the county health department. Owners claiming an exemption file a written declaration and must notify the department within 45 calendar days if the status changes.

Penalties

Under Chapter 5-40, violations are unlawful and public nuisances and can lead to denial, nonrenewal, suspension or revocation of the business license.

They can also be prosecuted as a misdemeanor, with a fine up to $1,000, up to six months in county jail or both, or as an infraction at the city attorney’s discretion.

The city can issue administrative citations, the city attorney can bring civil action, each day of violation is a separate offense, and the remedies are cumulative. Ask for a current statement of any fines before you make decisions.

Short-term rentals and vehicles

The transient rental article says each day a transient rental is operated without a Transient Rental License is a separate violation, and inspections are conducted by inspectors authorized by the city. Avalon also regulates vehicles on the island through a resident vehicle permit system under Title 4.

If you are selling a property that has been used for short stays, ask whether the license and any required inspections are in good standing, because a buyer’s inspection or title review may surface problems.

What a sale means for an open case

After a change of ownership, a new owner of a rental can notify the director within 45 days with legal documentation of the purchase, and the existing inspection certification may carry over for its remaining period. Even so, open code cases are best clarified before closing. Our Avalon building permits guide and zoning and ADU guide cover the permit side of the same properties.

Selling an Avalon house with open code violations

An open notice or citation does not stop you from selling. California sellers generally disclose known notices on the Transfer Disclosure Statement, which asks about notices of abatement or citations against the property, and a title search will show any recorded lien. Our as-is and unpermitted work guide explains the disclosure rules, and the closing costs guide covers how liens and fees are paid at closing.

In practice, sellers with open violations usually choose one of three paths: correct the problem and ask the city to close the case before listing, disclose it and sell with a price adjustment, or sell as-is to a cash buyer who takes on the cleanup. Which one fits depends on how big the problem is, how much time you have and whether fines are still growing. Before you decide:

Get the case number, notice date and the specific code sections cited.
Ask the city what must be done to close the case and whether it will re-inspect.
Ask for a current statement of fines, fees and any recorded liens.
Get quotes for the work so you can compare repair cost with a no-repairs sale.
Check whether tenants, an estate or a co-owner need to be part of the decision.

Questions to ask the Avalon code enforcement team

What exactly is the violation, and what would count as fixed?
What is the deadline, and can it be extended if work is under way?
Are fines accruing, and what is the total today?
Has a lien or special assessment been recorded against the property?
How do I request a re-inspection once the work is done?

Common mistakes homeowners make with violation notices

The costliest mistake is ignoring a notice. Deadlines for appeals are short, fines and fees can escalate, and unpaid costs can end up as a lien that follows the property.

Other common errors include fixing the problem but never asking for a re-inspection, assuming a tenant or relative dealt with a notice, and doing repair work that needs a permit without pulling one.

Keep every notice, photo and receipt, and write down the name of each staff member you speak with.

If the home came to you through an inheritance, a divorce or a tenant who left it in poor condition, the notice may land on you without warning. Our probate home sale guide and inherited home tax basis guide cover inherited property, and a no-repairs cash sale can be a practical way to close the file.

How to sell a house in Avalon

Get the case number, notice and any statement of fines.
Collect photos and receipts for any work done.
Request a no-obligation cash offer for the house as it stands.
Choose your closing date.
Close with no repairs, cleanup or showings required.

Own an Avalon home with code violations? Sell as-is for cash.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I report a code violation in Avalon?

Call 310-510-0220 ext. 111 or submit one of the complaint forms listed on the city’s Report a Concern page.

Does Avalon inspect rental properties?

Yes. Chapter 5-40 requires a city business license for rentals of 30 days or longer and provides for inspections roughly every three years, with no fee for the initial inspection or the first reinspection.

How long do I have to correct a rental violation in Avalon?

A notice of noncompliance gives a reasonable time to correct, not less than 30 calendar days. Extension requests must be filed no later than two business days before the deadline and cannot extend more than 60 days.

What are the penalties under the rental inspection chapter?

Violations can lead to license denial, suspension or revocation, a misdemeanor charge with a fine up to $1,000 and up to six months in county jail, or an infraction, along with administrative citations. Each day is a separate offense.

What happens to a rental inspection when the property is sold?

A new owner can notify the director within 45 days of the purchase with legal documentation, and the existing inspection certification may transfer for its remaining period.

Can I sell an Avalon house with open violations?

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

More guides

Sources

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