Frequently Asked Questions of the Public Works Department

Citations (parking only) may be paid by one of the following methods:

1. Mail the citation with a check or money order in the provided envelope to the City of Garden Grove, P.O. Box 409 Tustin, CA 92781-0409.
2. Pay in person during business hours at City Hall, 11222 Acacia Parkway.
3. Pay in person during business hours at the Municipal Service Center at 13802 Newhope Street.
4. Place in the drop box in front of City Hall.

Parking citations may be contested within 21 days of issuance, or within 14 days of the date of a delinquency notice.

A deposit in the amount of the fine must be made, and a signed statement explaining the reason for contesting must be submitted to the City of Garden Grove, P.O. Box 409 Tustin, CA 92781-0409 within this time period. Hearings may be requested in person or by mail, and may be conducted in person or by mail. Additional information may be obtained by calling (800) 453-1606 or go to www.pticket.com/gardengrove.

You can avoid parking citations by Being Informed About Parking Laws.

Residential streets are swept twice a month on specified days between8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Arterial streets are swept weekly between 5 a.m and 9 a.m. Signs will indicate the restricted days and hours. For residential areas, key signs are posted at entrances to neighborhoods from any major boulevard. If you would like a brochure and map mailed to you, contact us at(714) 741-5375.

Streets are not swept on City holidays, and schedules for the week are not changed to accommodate holidays. If a City-recognized holiday falls on your regular sweeping day, it is canceled, and no make-up days are scheduled. Your street will be swept on the next regular sweeping day. For questions regarding specific holidays, contact us at (714) 741-5375.

The City of Garden Grove promotes the planting of trees rather than their removal; however, a City Council policy passed in 1972 permits residents to petition for the removal and replacement of City-owned trees.

When the reasons for removal do not meet criteria for removal, the petitioners' request may be granted when certain conditions are met. Conditions for approval of the tree removal include support by petition from adjacent property owners to bear the costs for removal, and agreement on species from City-approved selection list. For more information, call Public Works at (714) 741-5375 or the Trees Section at (714) 741-5387.

The first suggestion is to make sure the gutter is clear of leaves and debris "down-stream" before calling Public Works at (714) 741-5375. A service request will then be prepared and an inspector will visit the site within a few days.

The repair may include grinding down the gutter to improve drainage; or, in the event that the curb and gutter are damaged, it may be scheduled for replacement. The inspector will report results of the inspection to you.

The Project GO graffiti removal program provides ongoing volunteer opportunities for students and/or residents to improve their community.

There is one scheduled graffiti paint-out sessions held monthly, two on Saturday mornings and one on a Friday morning. Call (714) 741-5372 for information and to obtain an assignment. Project GO days are published in the calendar of events. For those who wish to assist in painting graffiti as soon as it occurs in their own neighborhoods, call (714) 741-5372.

The Public Works staff will provide instructions and materials. Volunteers may offer their services by cleaning and maintaining parks under the City's Adopt-a-Park Program, planting trees on Arbor Day, or by joining hundreds of other volunteers during the annual "Volunteer Connection Day" in April. Call (714) 741-5375 for information about all these programs.

Residents can report abandoned shopping carts by calling the City's hotline at (714) 741-5053. Callers should be prepared to provide the store name of the cart and the street address or intersection where the abandoned carts are located. All reports will be forwarded to the City's contractor for cart retrieval.

Sand and sandbags for residents to fill and pick up are available
from the following City locations:

Fire Station 2 at 11805 Gilbert Street
Fire Station 3 at 12132 Trask Avenue
Fire Station 4 at 12191 Valley View
Municipal Service Center (City Yard) at 13802 Newhope (by appointment
only).

Proof of residency is required. Bags must be filled by the resident. Shovels will not be provided.

If more than the limit of 10 bags per residence are needed, they must be purchased from private contractors (see phone book for a list). For more information, call Public Works at (714) 741-5375.

Street lights are maintained by the Southern California Edison. Call SCE at (800) 655-4555.

The Parks Division maintains all of the light timers in City parks.

To report problems or request assistance, call (714) 741-5386.

Winter is a dormant season for most ground covers, and lawns in the City parks will appear brown or straw-colored during this time. Don't worry, the City's staff of professional landscapers is aware of the seasonal changes and makes every effort to ensure that lawns stay healthy and well cared-for.

If you do have a particular concern, or see damaged, diseased, or pest-infested foliage in parks, please call Parks Maintenance at (714) 741-5386.

The City of Garden Grove has established a Used Motor Oil Recycling Program, funded by the California Integrated Waste Management Board. Residents have two options within the City for recycling used motor oil:

1. Take their oil to a State Certified Collection Center and receive a $.16 per gallon incentive; or
2. Participate in the City’s free Residential Collection Program. Call (800) 449-7587 to schedule a pick up.

The City contracts with the Orange County Animal Shelter for these services. The main telephone number to have dead animals picked up is (714) 935-6848.

The Shelter can also help you with dog licensing, nuisance or barking dogs, lost pets or adopting pets, spay and neutering information, rabies control information, wildlife or education. Volunteers from the Animal Assistance League are available at the Shelter and can be reached at (714) 978-7387.

A street permit is required for any work in the public right-of-way.

This includes excavations, sidewalk, driveway approach, traffic control for lane closures and material/equipment storage in the street.

The following are the City's requirements in issuing a Street Permit:

1. A Street Permit is required for any work in the Public Right-of-Way.
2. Only state licensed contractors with active City business licenses can apply
   for a street permit. Street permits can not be issued to property owners
   and Class B Licensed Contractors.
3. The state licensed contractor must provide original insurance policy certificate
   per the City’s insurance requirements.
4. Four (4) copies of Engineering plans.
5. Four (4) copies of Traffic Control plans for lane closure.

The fees for the street permit application are the following:
 

Class A permit (fixed rate per item)
Minor excavation	$ 85.00
Minor excavation with boring	$105.00
Residential sidewalk (per lot)	$ 85.00
Residential driveway approach (per drive approach)	$ 85.00
Arterial/commercial driveway approach (per drive approach)	$125.00
Traffic control review (per hour)	$ 60.00

 

Class B Permit (for work other than Class A)
*Fees collected after street permit has been completed	*$90.00/hr

 

Misc. Permit
Material/Equipment Storage in street	$85.00
Issuance Fee	$50.00

Final Map Check
Parcel	$90 / hr
Tract	$90 / hr

Property line records, as shown on the recorded subdivision map, are available from the City at the Building Services/Permit Counter. The property dimensions, existing City easements and lot corner monuments are delineated on said map. The City provides the information on City parkway width where the front property line starts.

The City does not provide the service of locating your property lines in the field. A private licensed surveyor is required to field locate property lines accurately.

City easement records, as shown on the recorded subdivision maps, are available from the City at the Building Services/Permit Counter. Easements from utility companies and other recorded easements are shown in your title report.

Copies of centerline ties and City bench marks are available from the City at the Building Services/Permit Counter. Copies of subdivision maps must be obtained through a bonded blueprint company. The subdivision maps may be reviewed at the Public Counter.

Copies of street improvement plans, storm drain plans and water system plans must be obtained through a bonded blueprint company. The City will provide the specific drawing number and will lend the original drawings to the bonded blueprint company.

The City’s requirements for final subdivision map check are as follows:

• Three (3) sets stamped and signed blueprints of the subdivision map.
• A current title report not older than six (6) months.
• Full set of boundary and lot calculations of areas and traverses.
• Complete documentation (deeds, record maps and ties used as references).
• Approved tentative map.
• Orange County Surveyor’s Office first check letter (if available).
• One (1) set of Conditions of Approval.
• A Final map check fee deposit.

The following are the requirements for the grading plan check submittal:

• Five (5) sets of grading plans signed by the registered civil engineer
  preparing the plans, including erosion control and water/sewer improvements.
• Two (2) copies of preliminary soils investigation prepared by a Licensed
  Soils Engineer
• Two (2) copies of geological investigation prepared by a Licensed Geologist.
• Two (2) copies of the Engineer’s estimate of grading quantity and construction
  cost for off-site and on-site development.
• Two (2) copies of the hydrology and hydraulic calculations for any drainage
  device.
• Two (2) copies of Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP), if applicable.
• One (1) copy each of approved tentative map and/or site plan and approved
  set of Conditions of Approval from other agencies.
• Plan check fee deposit.