Code Enforcement
Our Mission
The City of Rio Vista Code Enforcement's mission is to protect and enhance the quality of life, health, safety, and welfare of our community. This is achieved through education and partnerships with our residents, businesses, neighborhoods, other city departments, and outside agencies to achieve compliance. The Code Enforcement is part of the Rio Vista Police Department and is responsible for investigating non-animal complaints of violations of the Rio Vista Municipal Code on commercial and residential property.
Common Code Violations
In order to protect and enhance the quality of life, health, safety, and welfare of our community, the City of Rio Vista has enacted ordinances pertaining to property maintenance standards that are contained in the Rio Vista Municipal Code.
- Parking in fire apparatus access roads or alleyways
- Overgrown vegetation
- Inoperative / Unregistered vehicles in public view
- Parking on unpaved areas
- Abandoned, discarded, or unused items stored in public view
- Any blighted conditions
- Vacant, unoccupied, or abandoned buildings
- Unprotected pools, ponds, refrigerators, and appliances
- Dilapidated fences, structures, and fire hazards
- Unpermitted home-based businesses or no business license
- Blocking the public right-of-way
- Inadequate or no garbage service
- Major auto repairs in public view
- Barking dog complaints and street parking violations refer to the Police Department page.
Parking Violations
Vehicle-specific code violations on the public street are listed in Rio Vista Municipal Code - Title 10 and are handled by the Police Department's Patrol or Community Services sections. Examples include parking on a public street in excess of 72 hours (without movement), parking inoperable vehicles, and parking commercial trucks & trailers in residential areas.
Fines and Fees
Code Enforcement seeks voluntary compliance and provides a reasonable amount of time to meet compliance requirements. If you receive a violation notice, contact the Code Enforcement Officer to discuss the violation and determine what steps are necessary to bring your property into compliance. A violation notice is not a citation. Typically, violations must be corrected within 10 calendar days. If a violation remains after the date noted on the notice, you may receive an Administrative Citation in an amount not to exceed $500.00 for each day that the violation remains. Violations repeated within 12 calendar months will automatically receive a citation without notice. Failure to pay fines and fees will result in the City taking legal action including but not limited to, collections, judgments, and special assessment liens on the property to collect unpaid fines or fees.
Achieving Compliance
Responsible parties are given an appropriate amount of time to voluntarily correct the violation and comply with the provisions of the applicable codes, ordinances or notices. Follow-up inspections are routinely conducted to ensure that progress towards full compliance is being achieved. Ideal cases only require minimal notification to achieve compliance. However, especially difficult issues may require several phone calls, site visits, and notices before violations are corrected. If voluntary compliance is not achieved within a reasonable amount of time, there are a number of additional actions that can be taken by the City to achieve compliance including: administrative fines, warranted abatement, lien, and/or referral to legal.
Reporting an Issue
To report a nuisance violation or to request an investigation, call (707)374-6914 or email the Code Enforcement Department at rsouza@riovistapd.com. When leaving a message or email, please provide a description of the violation and the location, your name and phone number so if needed, we can clarify the issue as well as report back concerning what action(s) will be taken. All complaints received will remain strictly confidential. For emergency situations that threaten life or property and demand immediate attention, please call 9-1-1.
