Results from a recent City of Santa Clarita Community Preservation (aka code enforcement) survey of residents show that maintaining community aesthetics remains a top priority for neighborhoods.   More than 300 community members participated in the voluntary survey, which asked residents for information relating to property issues such as graffiti, property maintenance, landscaping and waste dumping.

Information collected in the survey will be used to refine current community preservation ordinances, which are designed to preserve the aesthetic value of Santa Clarita neighborhoods, increase property values, and aid in lowering crime.

“The City wanted to hear from our residents and incorporate community feedback as we look to update the current Municipal Code,” explains Mayor Frank Ferry.  “The value of this information, along with the community’s support, will aid the City in maintaining the aesthetic value of each neighborhood.”

According to survey results, the major issues identified as impacting neighborhoods included: debris on private property in public view, inoperative vehicles in public view and overgrown weeds.

The most important code enforcement issues identified by those surveyed in the City right now included: 40 percent of respondents stating poorly maintained private property, 25 percent citing illegal dumping, and 17 percent mentioning temporary signs in rights of way.

Survey results also revealed: approximately 78 percent of respondents believed any person who illegally dumps should be responsible for the code violations along with the property owner; 75 percent believe a parent or guardian should be responsible for monetary damages due to vandalism caused by their minor; and 65 percent of respondents felt that seven days was an appropriate amount of time for property owners to remove graffiti.

For more information on results from the Community Preservation survey or to learn more about upcoming Municipal Code changes, please contact Supervising Preservation Officer Curtis Williams at (661) 286-4076 or visit www.santaclarita.com.