LAND USE
Residents or potential property owners with questions or concerns about land use in Val Verde are encouraged to either submit a public comment via our public comment form or join us for our monthly community meetings happening on most 2nd Thursdays of the month at 7pm.
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If you want to report an issue regarding the use of vacant lots in Val Verde please read the following section about actions you can take.
VACANT LOT ISSUES
The Val Verde Civic Association has been working with the various County Departments to address the ongoing issues surrounding illegal use of vacant land in the area. The following are options for taking action in reporting issues.
IF YOU ARE ACTIVELY SEEING ILLEGAL ACTIVITY PLEASE CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY
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If you are an owner of a vacant lot in Val Verde and are looking for an option to keep it secure we recommend contacting Shawn Saathoff at Van Guard Protection Group
Email: info@vanguardprotectiongroup.com
Phone: (661) 753-3611
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Property owners can also obtain a letter of agency from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department to allow sherriffs access to your property. To get more information please contact Deputy Brian Rooney at bjrooney@lasd.org
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If you have witnessed ongoing illegal activity on vacant property please fill out our VVCA Vacant Lot Tip Form below
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VVCA VACANT LOT TIP FORM
The intention and purpose of this form is to help organize and deliver information to the County Departments and Law Enforcement working together on issues of unpermitted development or construction on vacant lots in the community which quickly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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These departments are already working together on several lots in Val Verde and because our canyon has many hidden areas, they need the help of the community to report illegal uses of vacant lots. This form allows the community to provide the necessary information for the departments to capture, organize, and track information.
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Some items to prepare for the form:
Be prepared to give us the APN Number or Numbers by using the LA County Assessor's Map at https://maps.assessor.lacounty.gov/m/
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There is also an option (not required) to upload any photos or video regarding the illegal activity you are reporting.
This includes:
> photos of the site
> including any street signs in the photo
> license plates
> details of property damage
> faces of individuals involved in the activities
PLEASE KEEP YOUR OWN SAFETY IN MIND WHEN DOCUMENTING THE SITE / ACTIVITY
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PLEASE NOTE:
> Information provided on this form is for land use task force use only.
> ANY CONTACT INFORMATION YOU PROVIDE ON THIS FORM WILL REMAIN PRIVATE.
> You may be contacted by the County for further information or updates
THIS FORM IS TO REPORT ISSUES OF UNPERMITTED DEVELOPMENT OR CONSTRUCTION ON VACANT LOTS ONLY.
EXAMPLES OF VACANT LOT USE TO REPORT HERE
1.A Camper or RV is brought on the lot with clear evidence that one person or a group of people are living in the camper or RV
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2. Earth moving equipment is brought in and used to cut away canyon wall, grade the area, or manipulate the
land
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3. Putting up fence around the lot is not illegal if it is 6 feet or lower. However, for the purposes of this form we encourage community members to report a new fence around a property which is often an early action of illegal land use.
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4. Evidence of trespassing including perimeter fencing being cut, chains across the entrance cut etc. (if you are witness to this activity please first call the LA County Sheriff's Department at 661.260.4000)