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
promiscuously dumped material, weeds, dirt and waste from areas
outside of publicly dedicated rights-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.
After
Before
The Lot Cleaning
Division deploys mechanized crews for dicing, 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
20,000 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 per-formed
or not performed, and assuring field and administrative compliance
with notice requirements.
The Lot Cleaning
Division also clears blocked or impassable unimproved alleys 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.
More images of lot cleaning crews
in action
Bureau of Street Services Home
Page
