Redondo Beach Code Enforcement Guide for Homeowners

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

In Redondo Beach, code enforcement sits inside the Police Department, and the city says its first step is education and voluntary compliance before any formal action. This guide explains what the Code Enforcement Division handles, how a case can escalate from a correction notice to an order to abate, how costs can become a lien, and what to do if you want to sell a property with an open violation.

Redondo Beach code enforcement at a glance

Division	Code Enforcement Division, Redondo Beach Police Department
Phone	310-697-3665 (general line)
Report a problem	Access Redondo app or the city’s online service request
Nuisance law	Redondo Beach Municipal Code Title 4, Chapter 10 (Nuisances)
Typical enforcement tools	Correction notices, citations, referral to the City Prosecutor, and abatement or administrative orders after a hearing
Short-term rentals	The city says rentals under 30 days are not allowed

What the division handles

The city says its services primarily address land use on private property.

The list on its page includes vacant or abandoned structures, blight such as broken windows and trash, building code violations and unsafe structures, construction without permits, garages converted without permits, substandard housing conditions, inoperable vehicles, overgrown vegetation, parking on unapproved front-yard pads, signs without a permit and zoning violations.

The same page notes that most alterations need Planning approval and building permits, and that ADUs are allowed with proper approvals and permits. For a seller, the two items that matter most are unpermitted construction and garages converted without permits, because both can turn up in a buyer’s inspection.

How enforcement works

The city describes education as the first step. Staff work with the responsible party, offer options and set a timeframe to fix the problem before further enforcement is pursued.

If that does not work, the page lists citations, correction notices, a report to the City Prosecutor for criminal prosecution or a civil injunction, and an abatement order or administrative order issued by a hearing officer after an appeal hearing or an order to show cause hearing.

Civil disputes such as landlord and tenant or neighbor conflicts are referred to a dispute resolution program instead.

What the nuisance chapter says

Title 4, Chapter 10 of the municipal code is the city’s general nuisance chapter. Its safety category includes damaged structures, Building Code violations, abandoned buildings, debris, fences and vegetation over streets and sidewalks, and other dangerous conditions. Its health category covers items such as noxious weeds, dumping and polluted water.

The chapter provides for an Order to Abate that gives a reasonable time to fix the condition after notice. If the order is not followed, an Order to Show Cause follows, and the Council may order the work done.

Maintaining a nuisance the chapter declares is a misdemeanor, and each day can count as a separate offense.

Public health code

Chapter 6 of the municipal code is the city’s Public Health Code.

Its excerpt says that if a person does not comply with a notice, the Health Officer may abate the nuisance or condition, and the person in control of the house or premises is liable to the city for the abatement cost, recoverable in a civil action, in addition to other penalties.

The Building Code chapter also authorizes the City Attorney to file an action to abate an unsafe condition or nuisance when the Building Official asks.

For a seller, that means an unsafe or unsanitary condition can come through the building or health side as well as through the Police Department’s division.

Costs and liens

Under the chapter’s abatement provisions, the city can recover the cost of the work, including materials, labor, incidental expenses and its administrative costs, and it is also entitled to attorney’s fees and costs.

The cost of abatement can be recorded as a lien against the property and foreclosed in the same way as a mortgage. Because a recorded lien follows the property, ask the city for a current statement before you list.

The city pages we read did not give a fine schedule, so this guide states none.

Selling a Redondo Beach 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 Redondo Beach 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 Redondo Beach

1. Get the case number, notices and any statement of costs.
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 cleanup, repairs or showings required.

See also our Redondo Beach page and the Los Angeles County hub.

Frequently asked questions

How do I report a code violation in Redondo Beach?

Use the Access Redondo app or the city’s online service request, or call the Code Enforcement general line at 310-697-3665.

Which department handles code enforcement in Redondo Beach?

The Code Enforcement Division is part of the Redondo Beach Police Department.

What happens if I do not fix a violation?

The city lists correction notices, citations, a referral to the City Prosecutor, and an abatement or administrative order after a hearing. Under the nuisance chapter, abatement costs can become a lien.

Does the city allow short-term rentals?

The Code Enforcement page says short-term or vacation rentals of less than 30 days are not allowed.

Is a garage conversion without permits a violation?

The city lists garages converted without permits among the issues it addresses, and says ADUs are allowed with proper approvals and building permits.

Can I sell a Redondo Beach 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 Redondo Beach
• We Buy Houses in Los Angeles County
• Los Angeles County Property Tax Guide
• Redondo Beach Building Permits Guide
• Redondo Beach Zoning and ADU Guide
• All California Guides

Sources

• City of Redondo Beach: Code Enforcement
• Redondo Beach Municipal Code: Chapter 10, Nuisances
• Redondo Beach Municipal Code: Chapter 6, Public Health Code

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