The Bureau's mission, as performed by the Lot Cleaning Division, is to improve and protect public health and safety as related to the existence of noxious vegetation, trash, debris and public nuisances on privately owned parcels and publicly owned parcels controlled by the Board of Public Works. The Lot Cleaning Division eliminates visual blight and enhances environmental safety by clearing, cleaning and removing illegal dumped material, weeds, dirt and waste from areas outside of publicly dedicated right-of way. The Division receives its primary authority to enter upon privately owned property and abate public nuisances from the Government Code of the State of California augmented by additional local legislation contained in the Los Angeles Municipal and Administrative Codes. The Division may also utilize authorities from the Los Angeles City Fire Department and the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services.

The Lot Cleaning Division deploys mechanized crews for discing, cutting and debris removal from parcels with safe accessibility and labor intensive "hand" crews for difficult to access parcel and hillside parcels. The division is responsible for abatement work on approximately 12,000 private parcels. Each year the Division must present for approval by the Board of Public Works, the Public Works Committee of the Council and the City Council, a Weed Abatement Ordinance which identifies parcels that, are subject to abatement operations during the calendar year.

Performance of the abatement work is critical due to health and safety issues such as, allergic reactions to vegetation, fires, rodent and vector harborage and attractive nuisances. The Division is also responsible for the administrative and public relations issues associated with the operation including resolution of tax claims, conducting pre and post abatement hearings, adjusting assessments for work performed or not performed, and assuring field and administrative compliance with notice requirements.

The Lot Cleaning Division also clears blocked or impassable alleys and roadways of weeds, rank growth, trash, debris or other materials posing a hazard to neighboring properties or be detrimental to the health or welfare of the residents of the vicinity.

In addition, the Lot Cleaning Division clears non-landscaped median islands of weeds and debris to improve traffic safety by removal of visual blight and potential hazards to pedestrians and motorists. This activity also enhances the overall appearance of the adjacent neighborhoods and provides a more livable environment for the citizens.

The head of the Lot Cleaning Division is Bruce Howell, Lot Cleaning Superintendent ll.