Beverly Hills Code Enforcement Guide for Homeowners

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

Beverly Hills code enforcement is handled by the Community Preservation Division of Community Development, which investigates complaints at (310) 285-1000 or bhcp@beverlyhills.org and describes its approach as helping people comply. This guide explains how Beverly Hills code enforcement works, what the city lists as property maintenance violations, how stop work orders are handled, and what to do about an open case if you want to sell.

The city’s pages do not publish a fine schedule or correction deadlines, so ask for those in writing.

Beverly Hills code enforcement at a glance

Office	Community Preservation Division, Community Development Department
Phone	(310) 285-1000
Email	bhcp@beverlyhills.org
How to report	Code Enforcement Complaint Form on the city’s website; photos and documents can be uploaded
Stop work orders	Handled by appointment only, not during walk-in hours
Short-term rental reports	Phone or email with the property address and details
Noise and leaf blowers	Report through the askBH tool
Property maintenance examples	Insufficient landscaping, excessive vegetation growth, dead vegetation

How the city says enforcement works

The city describes its Community Preservation Program as ensuring compliance with property maintenance, land use, building, and health and safety regulations. It says most cases begin as a complaint from a neighbor or passerby, that alleged violations are treated equally and investigated as reported, and that once a violation is confirmed the city takes steps to resolve it in a timely way, with an approach of helping people comply.

To report a problem or ask about a notice, call (310) 285-1000 or email bhcp@beverlyhills.org. The city also has an online complaint form that accepts uploaded pictures and documents. The pages I could read do not list a fine schedule, a correction deadline or an appeal process, so ask the officer on your case for those in writing.

What the city lists as violations

The Property Maintenance page says the division investigates complaints about insufficient landscaping, excessive vegetation growth and dead vegetation, among other conditions. The city also has pages on habitability violations, short-term rentals, noise, and fire code complaints. Its fire code page says possible hoarding concerns should be reported to Code Enforcement.

Habitability matters in a rented home are a separate track from exterior maintenance, so ask which category your notice falls under.

Short-term rentals are reported by phone or email with the property address. Leaf blower and other noise reports go through askBH, where you choose the category and give the address, date and time. For a homeowner thinking of selling, property maintenance and unpermitted construction matter most, and the latter overlaps with our Beverly Hills building permits guide.

Stop work orders

The city’s Stop Work Orders page says an appointment is required to address code violations and unpermitted construction, and that stop work orders cannot be handled during walk-in hours. Call (310) 285-1000 to set one up.

A stop work order generally means construction must pause until the underlying permit or violation is resolved, which can delay a sale if the house is mid-project. Ask the division what it will take to lift the order and whether a new permit, revised plans or an inspection is required.

Notices, records and what to ask for

Because the city does not publish deadlines or fines on the pages I read, ask the officer for the case number, the specific code section cited, what counts as corrected, the compliance date, and how to request a re-inspection.

Keep copies of every notice, photo and receipt, and write down the date and name of each conversation. The property owner is generally the responsible party even if a tenant or relative caused the problem. Our probate home sale guide and tenant-occupied home sale guide cover those situations.

Selling a Beverly Hills 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 Beverly Hills 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 Beverly Hills

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

See also our Beverly Hills page, the Beverly Hills as-is sale page, the Beverly Hills cash offer process and the Los Angeles County hub.

Frequently asked questions

How do I report a code violation in Beverly Hills?

Call (310) 285-1000, email bhcp@beverlyhills.org, or use the city’s online Code Enforcement Complaint Form, which accepts uploaded photos and documents.

Which division handles code enforcement in Beverly Hills?

The Community Preservation Division within the Community Development Department.

Can I walk in about a stop work order?

No. The city says stop work orders cannot be addressed during walk-in hours and an appointment is required. Call (310) 285-1000.

What property maintenance issues does Beverly Hills investigate?

The city lists insufficient landscaping, excessive vegetation growth and dead vegetation, among others.

Does the city publish its fine schedule?

The pages I could read do not. Ask the officer on your case for any fines, deadlines and appeal rights in writing.

Can I sell a Beverly Hills 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

• We Buy Houses in Beverly Hills
• We Buy Houses in Los Angeles County
• Los Angeles County Property Tax Guide
• Beverly Hills Building Permits Guide
• Beverly Hills Zoning and ADU Guide
• Sell a Beverly Hills House As-Is
• Beverly Hills Cash Offer Process
• Sell My Beverly Hills House Fast
• All California Guides

Sources

• City of Beverly Hills: Code Enforcement
• City of Beverly Hills: Property Maintenance
• City of Beverly Hills: Stop Work Orders

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