Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperature, precipitation, and weather patterns caused by increased greenhouse gas emissions from human activities. The city developed its CAP to address these challenges locally by cutting greenhouse gas emissions, building community resilience, and guiding sustainable development for current and future generations. 

According to the California Air Resources Board (CARB), more than 70% of Californians live in communities implementing a CAP or similar sustainability planning program, and nearly every local government in the San Diego region has adopted one. 

While a Climate Action Plan is not legally mandated, it serves as an important planning tool for cities like Oceanside to proactively reduce emissions, build resilience to climate-related risks, and align with state and regional climate goals. 

People earning a low to moderate income – up to 120% of the area’s median income – can qualify to live in affordable housing communities. Anyone who has a qualified income, meets minimum credit qualifications, passes the background check, and meets other eligibility criteria can qualify to live in affordable housing.

More Information on Affordable Housing

There are a variety of affordable housing communities in Oceanside. Some are for seniors, while others are available to all lower-income households. You will need to contact each community for information about their eligibility requirements. The Housing Resources Directory provides information about affordable housing throughout San Diego County.

The City has Housing Rehabilitation Programs that assist low-income homeowners and mobile home owners.

The Mortgage Credit Certificate and CalHome Programs assist first-time Oceanside homebuyers. Community Housing Works also has first-time homebuyer programs.

Generally, animals are limited to six per residential unit, no more than three of which may be dogs. Animals under the age of three months are not included in this count, per Oceanside Zoning Ordinance 3034.

Complete Oceanside Zoning Ordinance

There are a variety of codes regulating animals within the city. The Oceanside Zoning Ordinance permits horses only on lots of a sufficient size. Roosters are not allowed anywhere within the city.

Complete Oceanside Zoning Ordinance

Yes. Each month we send you a bill that you may review and keep for your records.

Register your account at https://oceanside.watersmart.com/; Once registered, an email containing a verification link will be emailed to you.  Click the verification link to active our online account. 

The automatic payment will be returned to the city unpaid. There will be a $30.00 return item fee and you will be notified that you must come in to the office to cover the payment by cash or money order. Additionally, should you have two returned items you will be removed from this program.

If you change banks, you will need to log on to your online account and change the information.

Should you wish to dispute a bill, you must pay the bill and an adjustment will be made if the bill is determined to be incorrect.

No. Financial information is exempted from the Freedom of Information Act unless otherwise specified by court order.

• Bicycles are the most common items submitted as “Found Property.” Unfortunately, very few bicycles are matched to or can be released to owners because they cannot adequately prove ownership of the bicycle. The following practices can improve your ability to recover a stolen or missing bicycle:
  1. Record the serial number of your bicycle and retain it in a place where you can find it
  2. Etch an identifying number such as your driver license number or other number on an obscure portion of the frame separate from the serial number
  3. Place a unique sticker or other identifier visible on the frame
  4. Retain a photograph of you and your bicycle documenting these unique additions
• Bicycles submitted as “evidence” will be released to the rightful owner or their designee with proper authorization and valid photo identification.
• All other bicycles held for safekeeping or found can be returned with photo identification and proof of ownership.
• Unclaimed found bicycles submitted by a person can be claimed after 90 days by contacting the Evidence and Property Unit at (760) 435-4560 for information.

• You can lessen the chances of your bicycle being stolen by:
  1. Leaving your garage door closed and locked at home
  2. Parking your bicycle in an area that is open to public view
  3. Locking your bicycle to a heavy duty bicycle rack or sturdy object
  4. Using a high quality locking device.
• Heavy duty cables and locks will deter many thieves, but cables are often cut by suspects that use bolt cutters.
• A hardened steel U-lock may be more effective against suspects using these types of tools.

• The location of the serial number on the bicycle will be different depending on the manufacturer. Some of the common places to find your serial number are:
  1. On the head tube (where the handlebars are inserted)
  2. Across the top bar of the frame
  3. On the seat tube (where the seat is inserted)
  4. On the lower bar
  5. Under the crank housing (where the pedals connect)
  6. On one the rear forks (on the vertical tube)
  7. On one of the rear stays (on the horizontal tube where the rear wheel axle is mounted)

In general, inspectors start at 8:00 am and finish at 4:00 pm. However, it varies from day to day due to training seminars and meetings. Also, inspectors sometimes work overtime.

Inspectors base their itineraries on location, in order to get as many inspections completed per day. Inspections are not scheduled based on the time the request was received. Since inspections vary from one job site to the next, it is difficult to say what time they will arrive at each one. However, you can view the inspector's schedule on eTRAKiT.  

https://crw.cityofoceanside.com/etrakit3/ 

 The City of Oceanside is proud to offer web-based inspection scheduling. 

Online Inspection Scheduling for first-time users:

1. Visit eTRAKiT
2. Set up an account
3. Link to your permit
4. Request an inspection.  Inspections scheduled before 3:30 pm will be performed the following business day.

To view the estimated time of arrival of your building inspector:

1. Visit eTRAKiT
2. On the Inspections box, select Scheduled.
3. A list of scheduled inspections will appear.  Search the list for your building permit or address and the estimated time will be shown.  The time shown reflects a window of time, so please plan to be present for the time shown and up to two hours of additional time.

 The inspection request phone number is (760) 435-3925. You must leave your request on this recorder by 3:30 pm on a business day to get the next-business-day inspection.

• Online Inspection Request
• More Information on Inspections

For City Codes that Oceanside uses, please see the handout on Applicable Codes & Regulations.

More Information on Building Codes

For inspections within the home, the homeowner or permit holder must be present to allow for access into the home. For outdoor projects such as pools, patio covers, solar installations and reroofing, we will perform the inspection without the homeowner being present if a note is left for the inspector granting access. In both cases, the plans and permit must be accessible to the inspector or no inspection will be performed. A proper ladder must be provided for roof level inspections.

In order to check the status of your plans, please have the job address and/or the plan ID number, and call the main office at (760) 435-4373. You can also check the status on eTRAKiT, the online permitting system.

New residential submittals usually take 7-21 calendar days, new commercial buildings usually take 21 calendar days, and tenant improvement submittals take approximately 14 calendar days. Although the Building Division does its best to adhere to these target dates, the time frames do vary according to the volume of plan submittals at that time.

Plan Check information

The only way to be sure is to turn in the Permit Exemption form. It involves drawing a plot plan and routing that plan to various departments for approval. Please see our Permit Exemption Policy.

Please see the State of California Housing and Community Development website and go to section 1018(c) for a list of work that is exempt from a building permit.

You’ll want to start by visiting the Planning Division, which regulates what you can build on your lot per the Zoning Ordinance. They have information regarding the maximum lot coverage percentage, minimum setback requirements (distance from property lines to structures), parking requirements and maximum height limitations for your lot. Once you find out what your parameters are, you can begin designing your room addition. The Building Division reviews plans to make sure your design meets minimum Building Codes; this process takes 10 to 20 working days for the first plan check and 10 working days for subsequent checks. The Building Dept has some helpful handouts to help you submit a complete set of plans. Once your plans have been approved, the building permit will be issued and you can start building.

According to the County Assessor, whether or not your taxes will increase depends on various factors, not just the fact that you obtained a permit.

An “Owner/Builder” permit means that the property owner is acting as his/her own general contractor and assumes full responsibility for the project. If the owner hires anyone who is not a state-licensed contractor to do the work, then the owner becomes an employer. Consequently, the owner may need to register with the state and federal government as an employer and may be subject to state and federal income tax withholding, federal social security taxes, worker compensation insurance, disability insurance and unemployment compensation contributions. The Building Division is required to verify worker compensation insurance coverage in this case, and may not issue a permit until that is done. Furthermore, if a worker is injured on the job, the owner is liable for compensation. However, if the owner hires a licensed contractor to do the work, the contractor is responsible for worker compensation insurance and the construction. To verify that a contractor’s license is current, please visit the Contractor’s State License Board website. This Web site has many other useful resources for homeowners.

123 Owner-Builders Take Note!

Yes, the building code does not exempt window replacements; therefore, a permit is required. The Building Division will ensure the windows meet current Energy regulations and emergency egress requirements, among other code issues.  Please see the Window Replacement Submittal Requirements and Policy.

Whether you’re going to hire a contractor or a design professional, research is important. Although the Building Division does not have a list, the State has some helpful Web sites to help you research your approach to hiring people. The Contractor’s State License Board has articles that cover a wide range of interesting topics for consumers, and you can check on a contractor’s license to make sure it’s active. The California Architects Board, and the California Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, have similar websites for consumers.

Yes, the spa is required to be permitted, inspected, listed, labeled provided with a code compliant electrical circuit. The spa is also required to have fencing and/or some other safety device, such as an approved safety cover.

Yes, a permit is required and it is important to contact San Diego Gas & Electric. The panel needs to be disconnected by SDG&E before the work is done. Once the work is finished, a Building Inspector will inspect the work and if the inspection passes, the Building Division will contact SDG&E to release the utilities. SDG&E will then reconnect the utilities.

Yes, a building permit is required for all types of demolition work. Please refer to the Minimum Submittal Requirements for Demolish Permits handout.

A building permit will expire if the work has not been completed within three years of the issuance date. One extension of six months may be requested, in writing to the Chief Building Official, prior to the expiration of a permit. Additional fees may apply.

Construction work covered by a building permit is allowed Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. Work is also allowed to be performed by the owner of a property on Sundays 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Construction work is not permitted on nationally recognized holidays.

Construction work covered by a building permit is allowed Monday through Saturday, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. Work is also allowed to be performed by the owner of a property on Sundays 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Construction work is not permitted on nationally recognized holidays.

A Conditional Use Permit (CUP) is a discretionary permit that may be granted by the City Planner, Planning Commission or City Council to allow certain use classification(s) to operate on a particular property. Use classifications subject to CUPs typically possess unusual site development features or operating characteristics requiring consideration by one of the aforementioned decision making bodies to ensure that they will be designed, located and operated compatibly with uses on adjoining properties and in the surrounding area.

Career Online High School is an online high school diploma program available through the Oceanside Public Library. This pilot program offers scholarships to a limited number of qualified students.

Who can apply to Career Online High School? City of Oceanside residents (at least 19 years of age), who are on an 8th grade level who wish to earn their high school diploma.

Scholarships are limited, and the demand is expected to be high. Eligible adults must successfully pass an online self-assessment and prerequisite course, as well as an in-person interview to be considered for enrollment in the program.

No. This is not a GED or other high school equivalency program. Successful graduates will earn a high school diploma and a career certification through an accredited online high school.

While both high school equivalency and the high school diploma are important, there are several differences between them. Among the most significant is the fact that some colleges, institutions and organizations require a high school diploma and may not accept an equivalency.

Students will be given up to 18 months to complete the program, which will consist of 18 credits. Students accepted into the program may transfer up to 14 credits from their former high school. Depending on how many credits the student is able to transfer, the program can be completed in as few as five months.

There may be other options available to you. Please contact cohs@ci.oceanside.ca.us for more information.

Billing or Registration Questions
(800) 989-2058
oceanside.citationinfo.com

Parking tickets can be paid online, by mail, by phone or in person.

Pay Online at: oceanside.citationinfo.com

Pay by Mail: Please make check or money order payable to the "City of Oceanside." Do not mail cash.
City of Oceanside
c/o Citation Processing Center
PO Box 10479
Newport Beach, CA 92658-0479

Pay by Phone: 1-800-989-2058 (VISA and MasterCard accepted)

Pay In Person:
City of Oceanside
Finance Dept. / Revenue Division
300-C North Ditmar St. / City Hall East
Oceanside, CA 92054

Indigent (Low-Income) Payment Plan Information: CVC 40220 allows a person to file a request for a payment plan. Additional information about the low-income payment plan and application process are available online at oceanside.citationinfo.com or by calling 1-800-989-2058.

Submit an administrative review with a copy of the citation and a copy of your vehicle registration.

Submit an administrative review with a copy of a tow bill, a repair bill, or a parts receipt along with a written statement of facts.

Submit an administrative review with a copy of the citation and receipt for parking.

Submit an administrative review with a copy of your disabled placard, your disabled placard registration, and a picture I.D. Upon verification of all three documents the citation can be reduced to an administrative fee of $25.00 as per CVC 40226.

Please note: the review will be denied if all three of the documents above are not received. 

Submit an administrative review giving a detailed statement of the facts, along with any documents of proof.

Please see our Parking Citation Review page for information about where to send your requests for review or hearing.

Pursuant to State law, you have 21 calendar days from the issuance of the Parking Citation or within 14 calendar days from the notice date shown on the Notice of Parking Violation to request a review. If you fail to do so within the required timeframe, you lose your right to appeal.

All tickets are on hold pending the disposition of the review. Therefore, payment does not need to be made while the ticket is being reviewed. For review status or for information concerning the review process, please contact us at (800) 989-2058.

If your review is upheld payment must be made in order to continue on with the dispute process. Your review determination letter will provide details of the next steps and any deadlines that apply.

The Oceanside City Attorney's office cannot provide legal advice to private citizens or residents within the City of Oceanside.

The City Charter and City Code are available at the City Clerk's Office.

The City Attorney is the attorney for the City of Oceanside and is appointed by the City Council. The attorneys in the Office provide a full range of legal services to the Mayor, City Council, City Clerk, City Treasurer as well all City departments, boards and commission and officers. Among other things, the City Attorney prosecutes violations of the Oceanside City Code, but not violations of state law. In addition, the City Attorney defends the City and its employees in civil lawsuits and the City Attorney also files lawsuits on behalf of the City.

The District Attorney is an elected official who prosecutes all criminal activity in San Diego County, except for violations of the Oceanside City Code.

Along with the City Manager, the City Attorney is directly selected by, and serves at the pleasure of, the City Council. The City of Oceanside, represented by the City Council, is the City Attorney's "client."

For emergencies, call 911. Non-emergencies should be reported to the Oceanside Police Department at (760) 435-4900.

The Public Records Act is designed to give the public access to information in the possession of public agencies. The Act also provides that public records shall be open for inspection during regular office hours of the agency. The public can inspect any record unless the record is exempted from disclosure under the Act. Requests should be directed to the City Clerk.

“Request to Speak” forms are available at the back of Council Chambers for you to fill out completely and turn in to the City Clerk before the agenda item of interest has been presented. Speakers receive three minutes of time.

There are 2 ways to speak about a matter that is within the jurisdiction of the City but not on the agenda. Each speaker is limited to 3 minutes.

1. Advance written requests to speak to the City Council must be received in the City Manager’s office at least 7 days prior to the meeting.
2. You may submit a “Request to Speak” form to the City Clerk prior to the start of Public Communication.

Joint meetings of the Oceanside City Council, Community Development Commission (CDC), and Harbor Board of Directors are typically held on two Wednesdays of each month at 4:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber.

More Information about City Meetings

Serving on a committee, commission or board offers citizens a great opportunity to give something to the community.

More Information about the City’s Advisory Groups

Violations may be reported by calling Customer Care at 760-435-4500, by mail, or by fax at 760-967-1887. You may also report a violation online via the Online Service Request Portal.

Complaints are assigned to code enforcement officers geographically. Health and safety violations are given priority over other violations. Depending on the nature of the complaint, the officer may need to send a letter and schedule an inspection with the property owner. As each case may vary in complexity, so may the time required to bring the violation into compliance.

Although we require your information when making a complaint, this information is kept strictly confidential. Providing this information allows the code enforcement officer to contact you during the investigation to determine the specific nature of the complaint and whether progress has been made toward its resolution.

Reporting party information is kept strictly confidential and may not be released.

Administrative citations may be paid online, in person, or through the mail. To pay online please go to Administrative Citation Payments.

To pay in person, please bring your citation and invoice to:

City Hall East
300 N Ditmar St
Oceanside, CA 92054

Complaints about unpermitted construction can be submitted to the Code Enforcement Division. The officer assigned to the case can check if a building permit is required or has been issued. Some projects such as storage sheds may not require a permit depending on their size but may have restrictions regarding their location.

A Certificate of Non-Compliance does not carry a monetary penalty and cannot be cleared by paying a fine. The certificate may only be removed by correcting the violations specified on the certificate. Once the violations have been corrected, a follow-up inspection will be required to ensure the property is in compliance. Once the violations are corrected a Certificate of Compliance may be issued cancelling the previous document. Once issued, it is important to record the Certificate of Compliance with the San Diego County Recorder’s Office.

If the City of Oceanside abated a nuisance on your property and filed a lien rather than a Certificate of Non-Compliance, please contact The City's Code Enforcement Division at (760) 435-3945.

For disposal of large or hazardous items contact Waste Management of North County at 760-439-2824. Some items may be disposed of free of charge while others may incur a nominal fee.

To report graffiti, you can submit an Online Request or call (760) 435-4500. The Code Enforcement Division offers graffiti removal with written authorization from the property owner.

• Oceanside Municipal Code
• Zoning Information

Vehicles and trailers parked on private property are generally regulated by the Oceanside Zoning Ordinance, Oceanside City Code, and Oceanside Traffic Code and enforced by the City’s Code Enforcement Division. For most residential properties, vehicles may not be parked on the front yard or in the parkway (area between the curb and private property). Vehicles may be parked in side or rear yards under certain circumstances such as when parked on a hard surface meeting driveway standards and behind a 6 foot high, view-obscuring fence.

If the vehicle is located on private property, your complaint can be submitted to the Code Enforcement Division. If the vehicle is located on a public street, please contact the Parking Enforcement Division at (760) 435-5195.

• California Penal Code 1536 requires that you obtain a court order to recover property that has been confiscated as a result of a search warrant.
• By law, the Oceanside Police Department is allowed 10 days to return property upon receipt of a court order.
  1. This allows the investigating officer to receive notification of the court order and to determine if the property must be retained for the investigation.
  2. The investigator may contact the court and notify a judge why the property should remain in the custody of Oceanside Police Department.
  3. The judge will make a determination whether the property should be returned or remain in police custody.
  4. The length of time the property remains in police custody varies upon the circumstances surrounding its seizure.

Please call (760) 435-5097 or see the Engineering Division contact page for the location and contact information.

For a guide to help answer questions about engineers and land surveyors, please see the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists website.

For a copy of the San Diego Regional Standard Drawings (SDRSD), please see the San Diego Regional Standards Committee website.

To obtain a copy of the Subdivision Map Act please see the California Land Surveyors Association website or you may view the Subdivision Map Act Government Code Sections 66410 through 66499.58.

To obtain a copy of a recorded Parcel Map or Final Map, please check the County of San Diego website.

To obtain a tax certificate, please check the San Diego County Assessor’s Office website.

The Security Release Submittal Form provides a check list of items required prior to a request for security release.

Contact the Evidence and Property Unit at (760) 435-4560.

1. Provide your name, a case number, or other information to allow us to find the property
2. Verify that the property may be released
3. Determine if it is held as evidence in a case (if held as evidence, you will require release approval from the detective or the court)

Bring government photo identification to the Evidence and Property Facility. Accepted identification includes:

1. Driver license
2. State identification card
3. Military identification
4. Passport

Bring any documentation that may verify that you own the property (if ownership is at question). This may include:

1. An Oceanside Police Department property receipt
2. A court order
3. An order for release by an investigator
4. A verifiable sales receipt with serial numbers
5. The police report number of the incident that documents your property
6. A notarized letter authorizing the release of property to you by the owner, if they are unable to appear to recover the property personally
7. A request letter to release property to an employee if on institutional letterhead with an official witness
8. Other documentation that may show that you own the property in police custody

For security purposes, a limited number of police employees have access to the evidence and property held by the police department. These employees work during business hours Monday through Thursday.

The process to recover property held by the Police Department will depend on the type of property you want to recover. The release of certain property is dictated by the laws of the State of California. Some of the different types of property are:

1. Property that is found
2. Property seized in a search warrant
3. Property held as evidence
4. Money
5. Firearms and other weapons
6. Property held for safekeeping
7. Property taken from prisoner

The Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS) is available to all families receiving Housing Choice Voucher rental or homeownership assistance. It is voluntary and designed to assist families in becoming self-supporting so they will no longer need to rely on public assistance. This program is available through Neighborhood Services Department and the only requirement is the desire, willingness and commitment to make a change in your life and to take the steps necessary to become self-sufficient. Hundreds of families all over the country are already making better lives for themselves through this program.

The FSS Program is a cooperative program that provides support and assistance to your family for up to five years. The head of household enters into an agreement (Program Contract of Participation [English] / Contrato de participación [Español]) with the Housing Authority in which an action plan is developed that identifies the family's employment goals. It outlines the activities and services required to achieve these goals. Regular contact with the FSS Coordinator is essential and will provide opportunities to problem-solve obstacles before they arise. An FSS Coordinator will support you, take an interest in your future, and will refer you to public agencies and resources available in San Diego County. They will assist you in achieving your objectives.

By combining housing assistance with a number of other services, we can assure better coordination and provide the maximum benefits needed for you to obtain self-sufficiency.

Gradually, as you accomplish increased degrees of self-sufficiency by working and earning more, your portion of rent may go up. Another advantage to the FSS Program is that as this happens, we will establish an escrow account that will be awarded to you when you've successfully completed your FSS Contract of Participation. This account automatically saves for you and could be a boost in reaching any goals or personal endeavors you may have. You will not have to give up your voucher when the contract is completed, but hopefully you will no longer need assistance at that point. You can even join the FSS Program if you are presently working or are in school. You are not required to be on any public assistance other than the Housing Choice Voucher Program in order to qualify and if there are two adults in the household, you both may be part of the program.

Your FSS Coordinator is knowledgeable about many supportive services in the community. We will assess your needs and refer you to the services you need. Some of the services could include workshops in resume writing, skill building, interviewing techniques, completing or adding to your education, affordable childcare, food, job training, job placement, educational programs, career counseling, physical and mental health clinics, household budgeting, credit counseling, debt management and consolidation, home ownership, nutrition, parenting and many other services. Through collaboration with other providers, we also offer many opportunities unique to FSS participants.

You must be receiving rental assistance through the Housing Choice Voucher Program in order to participate in the FSS Program. In order to complete the program, you must meet all the goals and activities you've established for your family and be free of "welfare" (cash assistance). Another way of completing the program is to simply increase your household income so that 30% of your monthly income is greater than the Fair Market Rent for your family size. This means that if another opportunity presents itself and leads you to self-sufficiency, the FSS contract can be considered complete.

Commitment! You will bring your own unique talents, skills and strengths to the FSS Program. We will require you to be determined and committed in completing the activities listed in your training and services plan. You'll need to keep in touch with us regarding your progress towards self-sufficiency. You will be asked to meet with us periodically in order to discuss and update your goals and activities. You must possess motivation and initiative in your quest for economic independence. The FSS Coordinator is just your guide.

Joining the program could be the key to your family’s success. It is designed to assist families just like yours. People join the FSS Program to learn work skills and improve their ability to get and maintain employment. Along with the financial incentive is the legacy you leave your family of self-determination when you are free of all public assistance. Our Family Self-Sufficiency clients, as a whole, make impressive progress towards self-support.

The HCV Homeownership Program is only available to families who are present participants or graduates of the FSS program or elderly/disabled HCV participants living in Oceanside.

City of Oceanside is participating in NFIP:

• Community ID No. 060294
• Initial flood hazard base map for community was identified 05/10/74
• Initial FIRM was identified 9/5/84
• Current effective map date 12/20/2019

Community participation in the NFIP is voluntary. Communities that join the NFIP agree to manage flood hazard areas by adopting the minimum regulatory standards of the NFIP. These standards are listed in Section 60.3 of the NFIP regulations, which may be accessed through the FEMA website.

If a community chooses not to participate in the NFIP, property owners in that jurisdiction are unable to purchase Federal flood insurance. In addition, Federal grants, loans, disaster assistance, and Federal mortgage insurance are unavailable for the acquisition or construction of structures located in the floodplain as shown on the NFIP maps.

Similarly, if a community chooses not to participate in the NFIP, property owners are not subject to the Federal flood insurance purchase requirements. However, a lender is still required to inspect any flood maps to determine flood hazard risk and provide notice of such risk. A lender may require a borrower to obtain flood insurance even in the absence of a Federal purchase requirement.

You can find out which flood insurance risk zone shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for your community applies to your property by:

• Visiting Engineering Division front counter at normal business hours; or
• Ordering or viewing the FIRM at the FEMA Map Service Center

The Elevation Certificate is one way for a community to comply with the National Flood Insurance Program requirement that the community obtain the elevation of the lowest floor (including basement) of all new and substantially improved structures and maintain a record of such information. The Elevation Certificate also is required to properly rate structures constructed after publication of the Flood Insurance Rate Map for flood insurance premiums.

If an Elevation Certificate has been prepared for your property, you may be able to obtain it from the property developer or from community officials. Communities often require preparation of Elevation Certificates for properties as part of the permitting process. You can contact your local floodplain officials or the planning and zoning office to see if an Elevation Certificate already exists for your property.

Elevation Certificates must be prepared and certified by a Licensed Land Surveyor, Registered Professional Engineer, or Registered Architect who is authorized by State or local law to certify elevation information. Community officials who are authorized by local law or ordinance to provide floodplain management information may also sign the certificate.

The current CLOMR maps the floodplain for Loma Alta Creek and Garrison Creek to reflect the construction of the City Detention Basin Project. To review the effects of the LOMR on your property, you should refer to the maps and/or exhibits located at the City of Oceanside. To obtain more detailed information, a copy of the LOMR can also be found at the City of Oceanside.

The current LOMR updates the floodplain for Loma Alta Creek and Garrison Creek to reflect changes in topography and construction since the last update. To review the effects of the LOMR on your property, you should refer to the maps and/or exhibits located at the City of Oceanside. To obtain more detailed information, a copy of the LOMR can also be found at the City of Oceanside.

If the LOMR is adopted by FEMA it becomes effective as the current FIRM. In that case you have to locate your property within the new adopted FIRM. If it is located in the SFHA then you will need to read the FEMA requirement for mandatory insurance. CLOMR does not take effect unless a LOMR has been filed after the construction is completed.

Homeowners, community officials, and others who have adequate scientific and/or technical data may submit those data (including the required MT-2 application forms) to FEMA at any time to support a request for a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) to revise the flood hazard information shown on the effective FIRM. Individuals who would like changes to non-technical information such as road names, road configurations, and corporate limits, should submit the required information to support a map change request to FEMA. If warranted by the technical or non-technical data or information submitted, FEMA will issue a LOMR to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the community and send a copy to the floodplain administrator of the community. The LOMR has the effect of revising the FIRM without physically revising and reprinting the affected FIRM panel(s). LOMRs are generally issued within 90 days of the date all required data, forms, and processing fees are received. If the submitted data and information do not warrant a revision to the effective FIRM, FEMA will send a letter to the CEO of the community explaining why the effective FIRM could not be revised and, if appropriate, what action may be taken in the future. All requests for map revisions, including LOMRs must be submitted through the CEO of the community, because it is the community that must adopt any changes to the FIRM.

If you would like FEMA to make an official determination regarding the location of your property relative to the Special Flood Hazard Area, you can submit certain property and elevation information (include the required MT-EZ or MT-1 forms) and request that FEMA issue a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA), if your property is located on natural ground, or a Letter of Map Revision Based on Fill (LOMR-F), if your property has been elevated by the placement of earthen fill.

To effect a cancellation of a flood insurance policy, the policyholder must supply a copy of the LOMA, LOMR-F, or LOMR and a waiver for the flood insurance purchase requirement from the lending institution to the insurance agent or broker who services the policy. A completed cancellation form with the LOMA, LOMR-F, or LOMR and the waiver must be submitted by the agent to the NFIP or the appropriate WYO company. When a LOMA, LOMR-F, or LOMR is issued and cancellation requested, the policyholder may be eligible for a refund of the premium paid for the current policy year only if no claim is pending and no claim has been paid during the current policy year.

For more information please check the following websites:

• FEMA
• FloodSmart

In some cases, a lender determines that a property is in a SFHA shown on a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) but the property owner disagrees with that determination. The SFHA is also known as the 100-year floodplain. It is more precisely defined as the floodplain associated with a flood that has a 1-percent-annual chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. Therefore the SFHA is not a flood event that happens once in a hundred years, rather a flood event that has a one percent chance of occurring every year. Property owners in this situation have a couple of options. Depending on the specific circumstances, you may apply for a Letter of Determination Review (LODR), a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA), or a Letter of Map Revision Based on Fill (LOMR-F).

The application forms for LOMAs and LOMR-Fs can be found on the FEMA website and provide comprehensive, step-by-step instructions for requesters to follow ensuring that your submittal is complete and logically structured. Use of these forms allows FEMA to complete its review quicker and at lower cost to the National Flood Insurance Program. While completing the forms may seem burdensome, the advantages to you outweigh any inconvenience. The following paragraphs describe first the LOMA or LOMR-F process, followed by the LODR process.

Upon receiving a completed MT-EZ (for LOMAs) or MT-1 (for LOMR-Fs) application, FEMA reviews property-specific information (including surveyed elevation data, typically the elevation of the lowest adjacent grade of the structure in question, provided by a Licensed Land Surveyor Note: the homeowner may be required to hire a land surveyor to perform this elevation survey, if this data is not readily available), and makes a final flood zone determination for the property. Once an application and all necessary data are received, the determination is normally issued within 30 - 60 days. If the LOMA or LOMR-F removes the SFHA designation from the property, it can then be presented to the lender as proof that there is no Federal flood insurance requirement for the property. However, even though a LOMA or LOMR-F may waive the Federal requirement for flood insurance, a lender retains the prerogative to require flood insurance. No fee is charged for the review of a LOMA; however, there is a review fee for a LOMR-F. Check the flood map-related fees on the Flood Hazard Mapping Website.

Within 45 days following the date your lender notified you that your property is in the SFHA shown on the FIRM for your community, you and your lender may jointly request that FEMA review your lender's determination; FEMA's response to such requests is a LODR. In response to such requests, FEMA reviews the same information your lender used to determine that your structure was located in an SFHA. Unlike with a LOMA or LOMR-F, the elevation of the structure or property relative to the elevation of the 1-percent-annual-chance flood is not considered for a LODR. Just like your lender, FEMA only considers the location of the structure relative to the SFHA boundary shown on the FIRM. FEMA reviews this information and issues its finding of whether the structure is located in the SFHA according to the currently effective FIRM. While this determination cannot consider the elevation of your structure or property, it can be useful if you feel the lender's interpretation of the FIRM is incorrect.

There are obviously some important distinctions between the processes (LODR, LOMA, and LOMR-F).

1. The determinations are based on different data.
   The LODR process does not consider the elevation of the structure or property. Rather, it considers only the horizontal location of the structure relative to the SFHA shown on the FIRM. For the LOMA and LOMR-F processes, actual survey elevation data are required to determine if the property or structure is at or above the 1-percent-annual-chance flood elevation.
2. There are different review and processing fees involved.
   
   • LOMA - Free
   • LODR - $80
   • LOMR-F - $425
3. The determinations result in different actions.
   A LODR does not result in an amendment or revision to the FIRM. It only presents the FEMA finding regarding the structure's location with respect to a delineated SFHA. An approved LOMA or LOMR-F actually removes the SFHA designation from the structure or lot by letter.

City of Oceanside participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which makes Federally backed flood insurance available for all eligible buildings, whether they are in a floodplain or not. Flood insurance covers direct losses caused by surface flooding, including a river flowing over its banks, a lake or ocean storm, and local drainage problems.

The NFIP insures buildings, including mobile homes, with two types of coverage: building and contents. Building coverage is for the walls, floors, insulation, furnace, and other items permanently attached to the structure. Contents coverage may be purchased separately, if the contents are in an insurable building.

Mandatory Purchase Requirement

The Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 and the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 made the purchase of flood insurance mandatory for federally backed mortgages on buildings located in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs). It also affects all forms of Federal or Federally related financial assistance for buildings located in SFHAs. The SFHA is the base (100-year) floodplain mapped on a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). It is shown as one or more zones that begin with the letter "A" or "V."

The rule applies to secured mortgage loans from such financial institutions as commercial lenders, savings and loan associations, savings banks, and credit unions that are regulated, supervised, or insured by Federal agencies such as the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Office of Thrift Supervision. It also applies to all mortgage loans purchased by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac in the secondary mortgage market.

Federal financial assistance programs affected by the laws include loans and grants from agencies such as the Department of Veterans Affairs, Farmers Home Administration, Federal Housing Administration, Small Business Administration, and the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

How it Works

Lenders are required to complete a Standard Flood Hazard Determination (SFHD) form when ever they make, increase, extend or renew a mortgage, home equity, home improvement, commercial, or farm credit loan to determine if the building or manufactured (mobile) home is in an SFHA. It is the Federal agency's or the lender's responsibility to check the current Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) to determine if the building is in an SFHA. Copies of the FIRM are available for review in most local government building or planning departments. Lenders may also have copies or they use a flood zone determination company to provide the SFHD form.

If the building is in a SFHA, the Federal agency or lender is required by law to require the recipient to purchase a flood insurance policy on the building. Federal regulations require building coverage equal to the amount of the loan (excluding appraised value of the land) or the maximum amount of insurance available from the NFIP, whichever is less. The maximum amount available for a single-family residence is $250,000. Government sponsored enterprises, such as Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, have stricter requirements.

The mandatory purchase requirement does not affect loans or financial assistance for items that are not covered by a flood insurance policy, such as vehicles, business expenses, landscaping, and vacant lots. It does not affect loans for buildings that are not in an SFHA, even though a portion of the lot may be. While not mandated by law, a lender may require a flood insurance policy, as a condition of a loan, for a property in any zone on a FIRM.

If a person feels that a SFHD form incorrectly places the property in the SFHA, he or she may request a Letter of Determination Review from FEMA. This must be submitted within 45 days of the determination. More information can be found at FEMA's Letter of Final Determination page.

The result you see after using the risk tool on FloodSmart.gov is not an official FEMA determination. That determination is based on the structure's physical address and may not reflect how your property is shown on the effective Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for your community. For virtually every mortgage transaction involving a structure in the United States, a lender reviews the currently effective FIRM for the community in which the property is located to determine its location relative to the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), the area subject to inundation by the base (1-percent-annual-chance) flood.

FEMA's official determination regarding whether a structure is in the SFHA is based on the receipt of certain property and elevation information in accordance with National Flood Insurance Program regulations. If you would like FEMA to make an official determination regarding the location of your property relative to the SFHA, you can submit certain property and elevation information and request that FEMA issue a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA), if your property is located on natural ground, or a Letter of Map Revision Based on Fill (LOMR-F), if your property has been elevated above the base flood by the placement of earthen fill.

When FEMA releases a preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report for a community, caution must be exercised in using this data. For insurance purposes, preliminary FIRMs and FIS reports cannot be used to make official flood determinations. The currently effective FIRM is the only official document for this purpose.

However, for regulatory purposes, preliminary FIRMs and FIS reports may be used by the community. Local regulations usually allow for the use of the best available data, and in most instances, the data provided on the preliminary FIRMs is much better than the older data on the currently effective FIRMs. The use of preliminary maps as "best available data" is only allowable when the preliminary data are more conservative than the effective data; i.e. the elevations of the base (1-percent-annual-chance) flood are higher or the SFHA is more extensive. Please contact your community's floodplain administrator to determine whether preliminary data is being used by your community and whether it has any impact on construction or other use of your property.

If the currently effective FIRM shows your property outside the SFHA and the newer preliminary FIRM shows your property as being in the SFHA, you may also want to contact your community floodplain administrator to determine whether your community is planning to appeal the information shown on the preliminary FIRM. If your community is not planning to appeal and you believe the information shown on the preliminary FIRM is incorrect, you may also want to ask the floodplain administrator what you have to do to appeal the information shown on the preliminary FIRM yourself.

If the information shown on the preliminary FIRM will not be appealed, you may want to contact your insurance agent to determine your options for purchasing a flood insurance policy. The flood insurance premium rates for a property that is shown outside the SFHA on the effective FIRM are lower than the rates for a structure inside the SFHA.

If a new FIRM becomes effective for your community and your structure is now in an SFHA, and you have federally related financing for your property and have not already purchased a flood insurance policy, your lender is required by law to document the flood zone determination and require that you purchase flood insurance. A 30-day waiting period follows the purchase of a flood insurance policy before it goes into effect. There are exceptions to the 30-day waiting period for policies purchased in connection with the making, increasing, extending, or renewing a loan, or certain map changes. If you do not purchase the insurance within 45 days after being informed that flood insurance is required, the lender is required to force-place the insurance and charge you for the cost. To dispute the lender's determination that your property is located in a flood zone, you and your lender can jointly request a Letter of Determination Review (LODR) from FEMA. This request must be submitted within 45 days of the date your lender informs you that your property is in a SFHA, the area subject to inundation by the base (1-percent-annual-chance) flood.

If your structure was built before the effective date of your community's first FIRM (pre-FIRM), your structure's flood insurance policy will be rated using "subsidized" rates that are, for the most part, significantly less than actuarial rates that fully reflect their risk of flooding. If your structure was instead built after the first FIRM (post-FIRM), the policy will be rated based on a building's risk of flooding, or are considered actuarial. In those zones where Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) have been established, Post-FIRM Rates are determined based on the elevation of the lowest floor (including basement) of the building in relation to the BFE. In zones where BFEs have not been established, i.e., referred to as A zones or approximate zones, the rates may be based on an accepted locally determined BFE and can be comparable to zones with BFEs, or may be determined by the height of the building above its highest adjacent grade. Contact your local insurance agent for more information.

Elevation Certificates are required to rate most post-FIRM buildings. If an Elevation Certificate is prepared for your structure, you may want to consider, as an alternative to the LODR, submitting the Elevation Certificate, and all other required data, in support of an application (MT-EZ) for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) or an application (MT-1) for a Letter of Map Revision Based on Fill (LOMR-F). LOMAs and LOMR-Fs are official determinations from FEMA of a structure's relationship to the SFHA.

If you do not have federally related financing, you are not required by Federal regulations to have flood insurance, although it is available to you if your community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program. You should contact your insurance agent for more information because the purchase of flood insurance is a prudent means of protecting your financial interests.

A FIS report is a narrative description of the community's flood hazards that contains prior flooding information, flooding sources, and graphic descriptions of the flooding sources. An FIS report consists of text, graphics (including Flood Profiles), and tabular data (including Floodway Data Tables). The results of the engineering study that is summarized in the FIS report are used in compiling each community's Flood Insurance Rate Map (FRIM).

The FEMA Map Service Center (MSC) also offers the FIRM and FIS report images on CD-ROM or for immediate download. All National Flood Insurance Program maps, including FIRMs, are viewable online at the MSC at no cost. Users may also create a free "FIRMette" which is a user-defined portion of the map at 100-percent scale that can be printed in standard paper sizes.

An image viewer, called Flood Map Image Tool (F-MIT) Basic version 1.0, is also packaged with the scanned maps on CD-ROM. It allows users to view, zoom in, and pan the image. In addition, F-MIT enables customers to create a "FIRMette." The F-MIT Basic image viewer can be downloaded directly from the MSC website at no cost.

Alternatively, you may use the MSC site to place an online order for paper copies of the maps or texts. You may also call the MSC, toll free, at 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627) to place a telephone order.

If you would like to examine the FIS report or FIRM and speak with someone knowledgeable about your local circumstances, you may also contact your local map repository, an office that keeps the FEMA maps for public reference and use. This office is usually in your local planning, engineering, or public works department.

A Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) is FEMA's comment on a proposed project that would, upon construction, affect the hydrologic or hydraulic characteristics of a flooding source and thus result in the modification of the existing regulatory floodway, the effective Base Flood Elevations (BFEs), or the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). The letter does not revise an effective NFIP map; it indicates whether the project, if built as proposed, would be recognized by FEMA. This process generally takes anywhere from 90 days to over a year. FEMA charges a fee for processing a CLOMR to recover the costs associated with the review. Building permits cannot be issued based on a CLOMR, because a CLOMR does not change the NFIP map.

Once a project has been completed, the community must request a revision to the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) to reflect the project. "As-built" certification and other data must be submitted to support the revision request.

Federal Emergency Management Agency is part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. For more information please check FEMA official website.

A Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) is FEMA's modification to an effective Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), or Flood Boundary and Floodway Map (FBFM), or both. LOMRs are generally based on the implementation of physical measures that affect the hydrologic or hydraulic characteristics of a flooding source and thus result in the modification of the existing regulatory floodway, the effective Base Flood Elevations (BFEs), or the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). The LOMR officially revises the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) or Flood Boundary and Floodway Map (FBFM), and sometimes the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report, and when appropriate, includes a description of the modifications. The LOMR is generally accompanied by an annotated copy of the affected portions of the FIRM, FBFM, or FIS report.

All requests for changes to effective maps, other than those initiated by FEMA, must be made in writing by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the community or an official designated by the CEO. Because a LOMR officially revises the effective NFIP map, it is a public record that the community must maintain. Any LOMR should be noted on the community's master flood map and filed by panel number in an accessible location.

The Mitigation Directorate, a component of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), manages the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The three components of the NFIP are:

• Flood Insurance
• Floodplain Management
• Flood Hazard Mapping

Nearly 20,000 communities across the United States and its territories participate in the NFIP by adopting and enforcing floodplain management ordinances to reduce future flood damage. In exchange, the NFIP makes Federally backed flood insurance available to homeowners, renters, and business owners in these communities. Community participation in the NFIP is voluntary.

Flood insurance is designed to provide an alternative to disaster assistance to reduce the escalating costs of repairing damage to buildings and their contents caused by floods. Flood damage is reduced by nearly $1 billion a year through communities implementing sound floodplain management requirements and property owners purchasing of flood insurance. Additionally, buildings constructed in compliance with NFIP building standards suffer approximately 80 percent less damage annually than those not built in compliance.

In addition to providing flood insurance and reducing flood damages through floodplain management regulations, the NFIP identifies and maps the Nation's floodplains. Mapping flood hazards creates broad-based awareness of the flood hazards and provides the data needed for floodplain management programs and to actuarially rate new construction for flood insurance.

Buying flood insurance is the best thing you can do to protect your home, your business, family, and financial security.

It is important to note that a CLOMR does not update the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) or the effective floodplain/floodway. The CLOMR can only be approved as a “conditional” map revision. This process generally takes anywhere from 90 days to over a year. However, once construction of the City Detention Basin Project finishes, a LOMR will be processed to officially update the FIRMs and thus the regulatory floodplain/floodway. Not until the LOMR (based on the CLOMR) is approved will the changes to the FIRMs be considered effective.

The LOMR will become effective once FEMA has approved the map revision. This process generally takes anywhere from 90 days to over a year.

Many flood insurance related questions may be answered by visiting FloodSmart.gov. You may use the tools under the Insurance Center to determine policy coverage, estimate rates, and find an agent in your area.

The Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 and the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 made the purchase of flood insurance mandatory for federally backed mortgages on buildings located in (SFHA). It also affects all forms of Federal or Federally related financial assistance for buildings located in SFHA.

The area of Special flood Hazard Area is the land in the flood plain within a community subject to a 1% (one percent) or greater chance of flooding in any given year.

The Special Flood hazard Areas (SFHA) are mapped as a Zones A, A99, AE, AO, AH, AR, etc. In coastal areas Zone V is also a part of the SFHA. The SFHA may not encompass all of the community’s flood problem areas.

The 1% annual chance flood (aka 100-year flood), also known as the base flood, is the flood that has a 1% (one percent) chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the water surface elevation of the 1% annual chance flood.

The FIRMs are the official map of a community on which Administrator has delineated both the special hazard areas and the risk premium zones applicable to the community.

• All buildings constructed after publication of the (FIRM), located in areas designated as Flood Hazard Area, may require flood insurance.
• FIRMs show the limits of mapped flood hazard areas in a community.
• The insurance zone designations shown on FIRMs are used in determination of flood insurance rates and premiums.
• The 100-year flood elevation and flood depths shown on FIRM are the minimum regulatory elevations on which community flood plain management ordinances are based on.
• The information shown on FIRMs can affect the design and construction of new buildings, the improvement and repair of existing buildings, and additions to the existing buildings.

Area of Special Flood Hazard include Zones A, AE, AO, AR, A99 AND V.

• Zone V: Coastal flood zone with velocity hazard (wave action); no base flood elevations determined. These are those areas closest to the shoreline and subject to wave action, high-velocity flow, and erosion during the 100-year flood.
• Zone VE: Coastal flood zone with velocity hazard (wave action); base flood elevations (BFE) is determined.
• Zone A: are areas subject to flooding during the 100-year flood, but base flood elevations (BFE) is not determined.
• Zone AH: areas with flood depth 1 to 3 feet (usually areas of ponding); base flood elevation (BFE) is not determined.
• Zone AO: areas with flood depth 1 to 3 feet (usually sheet flow on sloping terrain); average depths determined. For areas of alluvial fan flooding, velocity also determined.
• Zone AR: areas of special flood hazard formerly protected from the 1% annual chance flood event by a flood control system that was subsequently decertified. Zone AR indicates that the former flood control system is being restored to provide protection from 15 annual chance or grater flood event.
• Zone A99: Area to be protected from 1% annual chance flood event by Federal flood protection system under construction; no base flood elevation (BFS) determined.
• Floodway areas in Zone AE: The floodway is the channel of a stream plus any adjacent floodplain areas that must be kept free of encroachment so that the 1% annual chance flood can be carried without substantial increases in flood depth.

Other Flood Areas

• Zone X Shaded: Areas of 0.2% annual chance flood; areas of 1% annual chance flood with average depth of less than 1 foot or with drainage area less than 1 square miles; and protected by levees from 1% annual chance flood. Federal Insurance Rating Maps (FIRMs) shows these areas in darker shade and labeled Zone-X.

Other Area

• Zone X: Areas to be outside of 0.2% annual chance flood. In the FIRMs these areas are labeled as Zone-X but are not shown as shaded.
• Zone D: Areas in which flood hazards are undetermined, but possible.

To get the flood zone for your property you may:

• Contact City of Oceanside Engineering Division at (760) 435-5099 or send e-mail to engineeringstaff@oceansideca.org.
• Log in to FEMA Map Services website. Choose Map Search. Enter the information for your property (address, city, state and zip code) and click go. Map search result will list the FIRM map that covers the property location. Click on the search icon to view the map. You may have to zoom in to locate your property.

Oceanside City Hall is located at:
300 North Coast Hwy
Oceanside, CA 92054

The City of Oceanside is open:
Monday - Thursday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Friday: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm

The City of Oceanside is closed on legal holidays.

You may apply in one of the following ways.

Visit the Computer Application Center in the Human Resources Department:

300B North Coast Highway, 2nd floor
City Hall South
Oceanside, CA 92054

Hours
Monday - Thursday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Friday: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm

Note: Computers are available on a first-come, first-served basis. It is to your advantage to complete your application well in advance of the application deadline.

Apply online from your personal computer.

Please visit our Human Resources page for more information.

To contact all council members please send an email to council@ci.oceanside.ca.us. Individual council member information is located on the City Council page.

City Agendas and staff reports are available on the Council Agendas/Minutes page.

Members of the public and organizations may submit requests for City information in accordance with the California Public Records Act (Government Code Section 6250) in person, by telephone, fax, mail, or e-mail. These will be processed in accordance with the Public Records Act.

(760) 435-3001
(760) 967-3922 (Fax)
PublicRecordsRequest@oceansideca.org

More information about Public Records Requests

If you are interested in being placed on our vendor list, please send a letter on your letterhead to the City of Oceanside, 300 N. Coast Highway, Oceanside, CA 92054, ATTN: Purchasing, with a detailed explanation of the goods and services you offer. You can also use our online registration. We will place you in our database and route any marketing material you may want to include to the most likely users in the City.

More information about becoming a City Vendor

Pertaining to City escheatment, California Government Code Section 50050, et seq., provides that unclaimed monies, which remain in the treasury or in the custody of the officers of a local agency for three (3) years, become the property of the agency. At the end of the three-year period, those items in excess of $15 must be published as notification that the money will become the property of the agency after a designated date if it is left unclaimed; items under $15 need not be published. Escheatment to the general fund occurs if a verified claim is not filed by the designated date, forty-five days after the date of first publication. After this date, money left unclaimed will become the property of the city and can no longer be claimed.

More Information on Unclaimed Checks

A check should be received within three weeks; after that time, please contact:

Becky Salvatierra
Treasury Technician
(760) 435-3557
(760) 435-6209 (Fax)
bsalvatierra@ci.oceanside.ca.us

Please visit our Phone Directory page for more information.

Please call (760) 725-4111 or visit the Camp Pendleton website for additional information.

Yes. 211 is a resource and information hub that connects people with community, health and disaster services through a free, 24/7 confidential phone service (dial 2-1-1) and searchable online database. 2-1-1 serves the entire County. There are several organizations that provide services in Oceanside including North County Lifeline (760-757-0118) and Interfaith Community Services (760-721-2117)

Vista Community Clinic (VCC) has three locations in Oceanside: 818 Pier View Way, 517 N. Horne St., and 4700 N. River Rd.  VCC is committed to serving all, including those uninsured, low-income and medically under-served. The central phone number for all three locations is (844) 308-5003.

TrueCare, formerly known as North County Health Services, has three locations in Oceanside. These locations are 2210 Mesa Dr., 605 Crouch St., and  3220 Mission Ave. TrueCare is committed to serving low-income, uninsured and under insured. The central phone number for all TrueCare locations is (760) 736-6767.

The City is using multiple approaches and partnerships to serve those experiencing homelessness in the community and works toward alleviating the effects of homelessness:

• Oceanside has two Homeless Outreach Teams (HOT) who travel with social workers to provide assistance to people experiencing homelessness.  Often, it takes many approaches before an individual will accept help.  More on the OPD HOT teams

• Oceanside provides a Reunification Program to help people reconnect with family.

• Oceanside sets aside housing vouchers for seniors, veterans, families, and people with disabilities who are experiencing homelessness.

• Oceanside recently opened a Sobering Services Center, funded by Measure X, a place that Oceanside Police can take people who need to detox/sober up and offers them a warm, safe place to sleep and get the resources they need.

• Oceanside oversees affordable housing projects.

• Oceanside employs Bridge Housing to shelter people with a plan to move towards permanent housing. In 2020, the City moved 62 homeless residents into Bridge Housing, with 43 moving into permanent housing.

• Oceanside serves the homeless population at the City's Community Resource Centers and Libraries with food, social service aid, computer assistance, or job referral help.

• Oceanside is opening a transitional homeless shelter with wrap-around day services to obtain stability and transition people into permanent housing. 

• Oceanside committed funding towards a 59-unit apartment complex for Oceanside homeless residents to provide permanent housing. 

• Oceanside updated its Oversize Vehicle Parking Ordinance. 

• The City’s encampment team is identifying, posting notices, and removing illegal camps four days a week. The Oceanside Police Department issues trespassing citations, when applicable, as a deterrent to prevent unlawful camping.

• The County of San Diego also employs Homeless Outreach Workers in Oceanside and other North County locations. 

• Oceanside oversees the local "Point-in-Time Count" (PIT). The PIT is a count of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January.  The count helps determine what is needed and helps policymakers and program administrators track progress toward the goal of ending homelessness. The Point-in-Time Count in Oceanside in 2019 was 483 people; in 2020 was 408 people, and 2021 was cancelled due to COVID.  The next PIT is scheduled for January 27, 2022.  Info

• More information

Homelessness prevention is among the City's strategies.  With the addition of Measure X funding, the City has been able to make more progress by developing a homeless diversion/prevention program and a family reunification program, among other efforts. People needing assistance can call the Oceanside Housing Division at (760) 435-3360.

The 9th Circuit’s landmark 2019 “Boise Decision” has limited the Police Department’s ability to enforce the Code prohibition against camping on public property without available shelter beds.  Additionally, due to COVID-19, many felony offenders, including people suspected of possessing and selling illegal narcotics and suspected of committing felony property crimes, cannot be booked into jail.  Instead, these individuals receive a notice to appear in court.  Further complicating matters have been the impacts of COVID-19 on the ability of the courts to hold hearings and trials.  Consequently, there is a significant backlog of cases awaiting the judicial process.

Regardless of these challenges, any illegal behavior should still be reported to the Police Department.  Officers will fulfill their role in holding people accountable for suspected criminal activity, to the extent they are able to do so.  For emergency situations, please call 911.  For non-emergency situations, please contact OPD's non-emergency line at (760) 435-4900.

Homelessness is a multi-faceted issue with many contributing factors, including economic hardship, high housing costs, lack of job skills training, mental illness, substance use disorders, physical disabilities, limited support networks for criminal offenders exiting the system, coupled with reduced policing authority due to court cases.

The societal challenge of homelessness has been exacerbated in recent years due to the 9th Circuit’s landmark 2019 “Boise Decision,” which limits the authority of police officers to issue criminal citations to individuals sleeping in public, absent available shelter beds. The Boise decision has substantially impaired the City’s ability to use certain local ordinances to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the community.  

Additionally, the City of Oceanside has many social services agencies serving homeless individuals, a major transportation hub, and several rivers, creeks, and open spaces which are attractions.

As part of a multi-pronged response, the City plans to open a transitional homeless shelter with wrap-around day services to obtain stability and transition people into permanent housing.  Staff anticipates the opening of the shelter in Spring/Summer 2022. Details

State and Federal Fair Housing laws prohibit discrimination in the sale or rental of housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, familial status (children under the age of 18), disability, sexual preference, source of income, or any arbitrary status.

If a housing provider refuses to rent or sell a home, offers unequal terms, quotes different prices, or applies different policies based on the protected classes, he or she is violating federal law. Additionally, state law prohibits unequal treatment based on marital status, ancestry, age or any other arbitrary class discrimination.

A landlord may take into consideration income, credit rating or any other pertinent information that directly relates to a prospective tenant’s ability and willingness to pay rent. However, perspective tenants have the right to request and receive a reason why when they are denied housing and may file a private civil lawsuit anytime within two years of an alleged discrimination incident. Complaints may be filed with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing at (800) 884-1684 and with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development at (800) 347-3739 or online at the HUD website.

The City of Oceanside contracts with North County Lifeline, a non-profit organization, to counsel property owners, managers, tenants and homebuyers on fair housing related issues. They can also advise you of landlord/tenant rights and responsibilities, including repair issues and to mediate with your landlord on your behalf. If you think you are a victim of a housing related discrimination incident or would like more information about fair housing, please call North County Lifeline at (760) 842-6226 or email kmatthews@nclifeline.org or visit them online at nclifeline.org. You may also contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s fair housing hotline at (800) 424-8590.

The City of Oceanside administers the Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) and CalHome Programs for First Time Homebuyers. For more information, visit the links below.

• Mortgage Credit Certificate Program
• CalHome Program

The Oceanside Housing Authority currently assists more than 1,600 seniors, persons with disabilities and families with the Section 8 (also known as Housing Choice Voucher) rental assistance program. More than 600 property owners partner with the Housing Authority to provide safe and affordable housing to our participants. Please visit our Rental Owners and Property Managers page for more information. We look forward to working with you!

There are several sources of affordable housing in Oceanside. First, the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program provides rental assistance to seniors, persons with disabilities and families.

• More information about Section 8
• List of Other Senior and Workforce Affordable Housing

The City provides assistance for homeowners, as well as mobile home owners leasing spaces.

More information about Housing Rehabilitation

The Countywide directory of emergency services is available by dialing 211 or via the 211 San Diego website.

The following agencies may provide assistance to tenants:

• North County Lifeline provides mediation and arbitration, legal advice and fair housing services.
• The Legal Aid Society of San Diego provides legal services to low-income individuals.
• Additional resources can be found on the Tenants Legal Center of San Diego website.

Applications are accepted for positions that are in the open recruitment process. Current job openings are listed on the City's web site under employment opportunities. All applications are to be filled out and submitted electronically. Computers are available to use in Human Resources, 2nd floor, City Hall South, 300 North Coast Highway, Oceanside, California. Office hours are 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Friday. Applications and all required supplements must be received by the filing deadline posted on the job announcement for the application to be considered.

No. Applications are accepted for current openings only. However you can complete a "Job Interest Card" online.

Yes. On the City's web site you can complete a "Job Interest Card" which are used to notify interested persons when a specific job opens for application filing. If a recruitment opens for your position of interest within one year, you will be notified by email.

This information is listed on the job announcement for each recruitment. Job announcements for open recruitments are available on the City's web site under employment opportunities. The announcement will list the closing date for each recruitment.

Resumes are not accepted in lieu of the application packet. In other words, you must complete an application online and you may attach a resume electronically. Please do not send a resume alone as it will not be accepted and your application will be rejected.

A supplemental questionnaire consists of a series of questions used as the primary tool in evaluating your qualifications for a specific position. The supplemental questionnaire needs to be completed in full and each question answered in sufficient detail so that we can understand and evaluate your qualifying experience and training.

The minimum requirements are listed in the Job Announcement. Read the requirements carefully. A position may require college, a specific type of experience, number of years of experience, a license or certificate, or simply skill, knowledge and ability in specific fields. You should be able to determine if you meet the qualifications. Your application will be reviewed by the Human Resources staff for completeness and fulfillment of the requirements. Include pertinent information about your qualifications, such as your education, experience (volunteer or paid), licenses, certificates and special skills on your application. Emphasize those areas which meet the specific requirements of the job. You may be required to attach a copy your qualifying license, certificate or degree.

In most cases, you should receive initial contact by email from the Human Resources Department within two weeks following the application deadline date for the recruitment. If your application is accepted, the notice will inform you when and where the examination will take place. If your application is declined, you will be notified by email. All properly completed applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed, and the most qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process, which could include a written and/or oral examination to assess job-related experience.

You will be notified of your score and placed on an Eligibility List if you pass all phases of the testing. You will also receive a notice if you are not successful in the examination process. When vacancies for the position occur, names from the Eligibility List are referred to the hiring City department, starting with the highest score on the eligibility list. The Human Resources Department schedules applicants for selection interviews. You should not contact the hiring department. The hiring department then conducts interviews and determines which candidate they would like to hire for the available position.

If you are called for an interview you may want to review the job announcement to prepare yourself for the interview. Remember, the interview is the time to show the hiring department that you are the best person for the job.

No. Once the department has interviewed the candidates, a Human Resources Representative will contact all candidates and inform them of the outcome by phone or email.

You will be contacted by a Human Resources Representative and will be scheduled for a physical examination and a fingerprinting appointment. Candidates are notified once the City receives results. This job offer is contingent on successful completion of the pre-employment conditions with no limitations relating to the job requirements. The sooner you complete your inprocessing requirements after receiving your offer letter, the sooner you can start working.

The Eligibility List is valid for a minimum of six months. Please keep us informed of any change in your address or phone number during that time. If your circumstances change and you are no longer interested in being considered for a position, please notify us, and your name will be removed from the Eligibility List.

We do appreciate your interest in employment with the City of Oceanside and wish you success in your future endeavors.

Veterans honorably discharged from military service not more than ten years prior to application and who served at least one-hundred-eighty days active duty during time of war shall be entitled to an additional credit of five points to be added to their final examination scores in determining their standing on a non-promotional Eligibility List, subject to the following conditions:

• Veterans' credit shall be available only for the first employment with the City.
• "Veteran" as used herein is defined as any person who served in the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, or Army or Navy Nurse Corps in time of war and received an honorable discharge, release, or certificate of honorable active service. Proof of such service must be presented prior to establishing the eligible list.
• Veterans' credit shall be added to final examination scores of veterans who have attained a passing grade in the examination without the addition of such credit.

During the entitlement process through the Planning Division it will be determined if a landscape plan will be required (per Development Processing Guideline Booklet pg. 11 & Appendix B pg. 2-B). Once a Conceptual Landscape Plan (CLP) is approved by entitlement process, a set of landscape improvement plans shall be submitted to Engineering Division for review and approval.

For submittal requirements please see:

• Conceptual Landscape Plan Submittal Requirements
• Landscape Plan Submittal Requirements

Once the landscape plans are approved and signed by City Engineer the Landscape contractor or general contractor is required to arrange a pre-construction meeting with the Public Works Inspector 48 hours prior to commencing landscape improvements.

The property owner and landscape architect should also attend this pre-construction meeting at the job site. No separate permit is required.

All landscape plans require securities as follows:

• If landscape improvements are located within the public rights-of-way then the landscape security shall remain in place for a period of one-year from the date of the approved as-built Mylar plan set for that project (per the current Landscape Development Manual pg. 5). The duration of this time is considered the landscape maintenance/establishment period.
• If the entire improvement is located on private property, then the security shall be held for a minimum period of 90 days from the date of the approved as-built Mylar plan set for that project. This usually allows sufficient time to provide the landscape to become established and maintained.

Landscape architect of work should submit all proposed changes to the city for review and final approval. Depending on the degree and types of changes one of the following may apply:

• The minor proposed changes may be submitted to the city engineer as a field change request (per Field Change Requests Memorandum) or submitted as a construction change onto the original approved landscape plan or
• The major proposed changes shall be reviewed by the Planning Division which may require a request for Substantial Conformity, or a revision to the approved Development Plan, which requires a Planning Commission approval.

Yes, the landscape contractor should schedule a final landscape walk through on site with landscape architect and the Public Works Inspector. If a punch list is created time will be provided for the contractor to complete or correct any items or deficiencies that differ from the approved plan. Once there are no further outstanding punch-list items, the landscape architect shall submit a landscape certificate to the City which states the landscape has been installed per plan. At that point the city Public Works Inspector may sign off the certificate of occupancy for landscaping.

The landscape architect of work is required to submit as-built plans prior to the commencement of the required landscape maintenance and establishment period. The landscape contractor shall provide the landscape architect a redlined set of plans denoting all the changes or deviation from the approved plans. The Landscape Architect of Work will reflect all the changes on the original Mylar landscape plans in permanent ink and submit bond copies to the Public Works Inspector for review and approval. Once all the changes are approved the Landscape Architect of Work will denote the changes on the original Mylar set, wet sign the As-built Certification on the title sheet, stamp all Mylar sheets with their professional seal, and label all sheets “As-Built” and submit the set to the City.

The owner/developer may request for a security release through a form provided by the city (Securities Release Submittal Checklist Form) after following requirements have been met:

• All improvements and punch list have been completed per approved plans.
• All improvements and punch list has been accepted by the City (in some cases a homeowner association).
• As-built plans have been submitted and approved by the City.
• The required landscape maintenance and establishment period has been fulfilled.

The ordinance defines lobbying as influencing or attempting to influence a legislative or administrative action of the City by direct communication with any City official or any commission, committee, board, task force or member of any other body of the City.

1. Copies of the records pertaining to the reports are to be preserved by the lobbyist for inspection and audit for 4 years from the date of filing the report with the City Clerk.
2. Identification – when appearing in a lobbying capacity at any meeting with a City official or at a meeting of the City Council, or board, committee or commission, the lobbyist needs to identify himself or herself and the client(s) or organization he or she represents.

Any lobbyist who fails to register, file the required forms and pay the required fees may be cited and fined under the provisions of the Administrative Remedies Ordinance (Section 1.14 of the City Code). Additionally, registration or renewals or other reports to be filed may not be accepted until all delinquent fees and fines are paid, which means that no lobbying can take place.

Any lobbyist who fails to submit his or her registration, annual renewal, or quarterly and supplemental reports or who fails to identify himself or herself as a lobbyist is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to criminal penalties under Section 1.7 of the City Code. In addition or in lieu of a criminal action, the City Attorney may bring a civil action and/or may seek injunctive relief in the courts. In addition to or in lieu of a criminal or civil action, the provisions under the Administrative Remedies Ordinance are applicable (see City Code Sections 1.14 through 1.18).

No person convicted of a criminal violation of Chapter 16C may act as a lobbyist or attempt to influence municipal legislation for compensation for 2 years after such conviction.

• Any City official or any federal, state or local elected or appointed official acting in his/her official capacity.
• Any employee of the City or federal, state or local governmental entity acting within the scope of his/her employment
• Any news media engaged solely in the publication or broadcasting of news, editorials, commentary, or paid advertisements, which urge legislative or administrative action
• Any person whose sole activity is to:
  1. Submit a bid on a competitively bid contract
  2. Submit a written response to a request for proposals or qualifications
  3. Participate in an oral interview for a request for proposals or qualifications
  4. Negotiate the terms of a contract or agreement with the City once the City has authorized entering into an agreement with that person
• Any person whose communications are solely related to a collective bargaining agreement or memorandum of understanding between the City and a recognized City employee organization.

Individual Lobbyist means any individual who is employed, retained or otherwise engaged for compensation to lobby, on behalf of another person, any elected or appointed City official or any commission, committee, board, task force or member of any other body of the City.

Lobbying firm means a person that has one or more employees who are lobbyists on behalf of a client or clients.

Compensation means any economic consideration for services rendered or to be rendered in the future. This includes, but is not limited to, contractual arrangements, contingency fees, success fees, bonuses or awards, or salary.

Staff from the Housing Division of the Neighborhood Services Department are responsible for administration of the Ordinance. Please call (760) 435-3320 or email JAdame@oceansideca.org for more information.

• Chapter 16B of the Oceanside City Code is the Manufactured Home Fair Practices Act.
• Article 29 of the Zoning Ordinance: Senior Mobile Home Park Overlay District
• Article 34 of the Zoning Ordinance Mobile Home Park Conversion
• The State Mobilehome Residency Law is part of the California Civil Code

• Leyes de Residencia de Casas Móviles, Preguntas más frecuentes

• MRL Frequently Asked Questions Documents and resources

• Documents and Resources

• California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) mobile home information
• Residency Law Protection Program
• California Mobile Home Parks (HCD)
• Rental Assistance: Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program see attached
• Documents and Resources
• California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) mobile home information
• Park Residents Organizations
  • Golden State Manufactured-Home Owners Leage (GSMOL)
    • GSMOL Knowledge Base (FAQs)
  • Oceanside Manufactured Homeowners Alliance, Inc. (OMHA)

There are seventeen Mobile Home Parks in Oceanside that lease spaces to owners of mobile (manufactured) homes. The following list of parks states whether the park has been designated as a Senior Park. 

• List of Parks in Oceanside

• Money may be held by the police department:
  1. As evidence
  2. As safekeeping
  3. As found
  4. As prisoner property
• The police department generally does not retain any currency in its evidence facility. The police department deposits the currency with the Financial Services Department.
• Money held as evidence in a criminal case will not be released without a court order, with authorization by the investigating officer or by the City Prosecutor.
• Money being held for safekeeping will be released to the owner upon proof of ownership or with a notarized letter from the owner authorizing the release to another person with identification.
• Money from an inmate’s property in excess of $499.00 will be entered in evidence. The court lockup will not allow inmates to have money in excess of $499.00.
• Any unclaimed money after 90 days that is not related to an active case may automatically be forfeited to the General Fund at the City of Oceanside City Clerk’s Office.

• Contact the Evidence and Property Unit at (760) 435-4560 to determine if the money may be returned at this time.
• Contact the Investigations Division at (760) 435-4580 to obtain approval for the release of the money if directed by the Evidence and Property Unit. This will be necessary when the money is evidence in certain types of crimes.
• Note that in some circumstances, the Evidence and Property Unit may approve the release of the money.
• Upon approval to release the money, the Evidence and Property Unit will submit a payment request to the Financial Services Department to pay you.
  1. This process takes approximately three to six weeks.
  2. Checks are approved and issued twice each month at City Council meetings.
  3. All checks are mailed by the City of Oceanside. No checks will be released in person.

In its 16th year, One Book, One San Diego is a community reading program. It is a partnership between KPBS (link is external), San Diego Public Library, and the San Diego County Library (link is external), and a long list of other community partners found below. The purpose of the program is to bring together our community and encourage residents to join together in the shared experience of reading and discussing the same book. The program also encourages participation in related events, discussions of the ideas raised in the featured books, and examination of how these ideas connect with our daily lives and local communities.

The process for selecting a One Book title is designed for maximum community participation. Residents of San Diego and Imperial County and Baja California are invited to nominate books through online and paper submissions.

The nomination period takes place in early spring. During a set amount of time, the nomination form is available on KPBS' website, and paper forms are available in all library locations.

The One Book Advisory Committee reviews all book nominations and select a title they believe will best meet the One Book criteria and the goals of the program.

• Story (fiction or nonfiction) that is of high literary quality, and has a clear, compelling narrative and well-developed characters.
• Themes resonate with local and/or global communities, and people of all backgrounds.
• Inspires discussion, conversations, and action.
• Available in paperback and hardcover.
• Preferred: available in Spanish translation.
• Author is alive.
• The book has professional reviews, must be currently in print and readily available in large quantities (not print-on-demand).
• Suitable for high school study and up.
• More information on book criteria (link is external).

The One Book Advisory Committee is comprised of representatives from KPBS and our community collaborative of partners, as well as college and high school educators, librarians, and various community representatives.

You ask that only books with "professional reviews" be nominated. What does this mean?

A professional review of a book is one that appears in a reputable publishing magazine, a major national newspaper, or a literary journal. Examples of professional reviews are found in: the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Publisher’s Weekly, Library Journal, Kirkus, Booklist, the Bloomsbury Review, the Gettysburg Review, the Iowa Review, etc. (Note that this list is not exhaustive, but is meant to provide examples of professional reviews.)

The author of the featured book will visit San Diego to participate in One Book, One San Diego events during the fall of 2021. Additional events related to the featured book including film screenings, performing arts, discussion programs will also take place in the fall of 2021.

Additional One Book, One San Diego community partners include (all links are external):

• San Diego City College
• Hoover High School
• San Diego State University's Love Library
• University of San Diego's Copley Library
• Escondido Public Library
• Chula Vista Public Library
• Point Loma Nazarene University's Ryan Library
• Asociación de Bibliotecarios de Baja California
• San Diego Council on Literacy
• Oceanside Public Library
• Deaf Community Services of San Diego

If your incident is an emergency, call 9-1-1. If non-emergency call 760-435-4900.

No, If a crime took place outside of the City of Oceanside please call the police department for that city.

If this took place on SR78 or I-5, please call the Highway Patrol Office nearest you. chp.ca.gov

A known suspect is when you or someone else knows the person or where to find the person who committed the crime or the license plate number of the vehicle the suspect(s) were in.

Land uses that may be permitted on a property depend upon its zoning designation. A list of permitted uses (by right or subject to a conditional use permit) for each zoning designation is included in the Zoning Ordinance.

The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) was adopted in 1970 and incorporated in the Public Resources Code §21000-21177. Its basic purposes are to: inform governmental decision makers and the public about the potential significant environmental effects of proposed activities; identify ways that environmental damage can be avoided or significantly reduced; require changes in projects through the use of alternatives or mitigation measures when feasible; and disclose to the public the reasons why a project was approved if significant environmental effects are involved. CEQA applies to projects undertaken, funded or requiring an issuance of a permit by a public agency. The analysis of a project required by CEQA usually takes the form of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR), Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND), Negative Declaration (ND), or Categorical Exemption.

A ministerial permit is a permit that is granted upon determination that a proposed project complies with established standards set forth in the zoning ordinance and/or other applicable policy documents. These determinations are arrived at through reference to objective standards, involve little or no personal judgment, and are issued by the City Planner or his/her designee (e.g. home occupation permit, building permit review/issuance). A discretionary permit is a permit granted following the exercise of judgment and deliberation. Most discretionary permit applications require an analysis by the Planning Division and various City departments followed by public hearing at which a final decision is made. A decision to approve or deny a permit application is based on the findings of fact contained in the City of Oceanside Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Ordinance or Municipal Code. Common discretionary permit types include development plans, tentative maps, and conditional use permits.

Processing time for discretionary permits can vary depending on the complexity of the requested permit and the amount of time the applicant may take in responding to staff comments. Projects must be deemed compete before they can move forward to a public hearing. Once a submitted application has been deemed complete, the remaining processing time will be predicated upon the type of environmental review required. For projects that require an Environmental Impact Report (EIR), final discretionary action must be scheduled within 360 days, while those requiring a Negative Declaration/Mitigated Negative Declaration (ND/MND) must be acted upon within 180 days. Final action on projects exempt from environment review must be taken within 30 days. Time extensions to the above deadlines can be agreed upon, at the applicant’s discretion.

A Development Plan permit is a discretionary approval required for certain projects to ensure that new development complies with the Zoning Ordinance and other policy documents. Applicability, review requirements and other pertinent information related to this permit is included in Article 43 (Development Plan Review) of the Zoning Ordinance.

The City of Oceanside Local Coastal Program includes the entire geographic area called the “coastal zone”. A Coastal Permit is a discretionary permit required of certain projects within the coastal zone. Under the Local Coastal Program, all projects in the coastal zone are divided into five categories:

• Exempt projects;
• Categorically excluded projects;
• Projects requiring an Administrative Coastal Permit from the City of Oceanside;
• Projects requiring a Regular Coastal permit from the City of Oceanside;
• Projects requiring a coastal permit from the California Coastal Commission.

Descriptions of the above referenced project categories and associated coastal permit process, if applicable, are provided in the City of Oceanside Coastal Permit Handbook.

A Variance is a discretionary permit that may be granted by the Planning Commission to allow deviation(s) to applicable zoning development standards. Variances are intended to resolve practical difficulties or physical hardships that may result from the size, shape or dimensions of a site or the location of existing structures thereon from geographic, topographic, or other physical conditions on the site or in the immediate vicinity. While potentially a factor in the City’s determination, the cost of strict compliance with a regulation(s) to the applicant is not the sole reason for granting a variance.

A Conditional Use Permit (CUP) is a discretionary permit that may be granted by the City Planner, Planning Commission or City Council to allow certain use classification(s) to operate on a particular property. Use classifications subject to CUPs typically possess unusual site development features or operating characteristics requiring consideration by one of the aforementioned decision making bodies to ensure that they will be designed, located and operated compatibly with uses on adjoining properties and in the surrounding area.

Depending on project’s land use, site characteristics and required environmental review, reports such as addressing geology, hydrology, traffic, biology, paleontology, archeology, cultural resources, storm water mitigation may be required. City staff provides preliminary guidance to applicants regarding required reports prior to project submittal. Additional technical reports may be requested by staff once review of the project has been initiated and detailed analysis of the proposal commences.

Discretionary permit approvals, unless extended, are typically valid for 36 months from the date of approval.

A Home Occupation Permit is a ministerial permit that can be granted for certain uses within agricultural, open space, mobile home park, and residential districts upon determining that such land uses comply with the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance. Establishment and operation of a home occupation requires a business license, obtained by filing a completed application form with the Business License Office. Detailed information regarding applicable procedure for obtaining a home occupation permit is provided in Article 30 (Site regulations) Section 3007 (Home Occupations) in A, O, MHP, and R Districts of the Zoning Ordinance.

In the coastal zone, certain uses of a temporary nature involving large assemblies of people or automobiles (e.g. carnivals or circuses, religious revival meetings, rodeos, airshows or sky-diving performances, temporary establishment of trailer parks or camp sites) are governed by issuance of a temporary use permit by the City Council. Specific information on temporary and minor use permit procedures is provided in Article 15.1 (Temporary and Minor Use Permits) of the 1986 Zoning Ordinance.

The City of Oceanside does not maintain a list of recommended consultants for development services. Please contact the local chapters of professional organizations for information and references of architectural, planning, engineering and other development services professional or construction disciplines.

eTRAKiT provides access to permits, projects, and cases for information regarding status of inspections and reviews. For step by step instructions, please see the eTRAKiT User Manual.

Applicable parking standards vary by land use. A list of parking ratios for the most common uses is included in Article 31 (Off Street Parking) of the Zoning Ordinance.

To avoid results inconsistent with the purpose of the City of Oceanside zoning ordinance, decisions of the City Planner can be appealed to the Planning Commission, decisions of the Planning Commission can be appealed to the City Council, and decisions of the Community /Economic Development Director can be appealed to the Community Development Commission. Article 46 (Appeals and Calls for Review) of the 1992 Zoning Ordinance provides detailed information about the appeal and the call for review processes.

Comments on a proposal pending before the Planning Commission or City Council can be provided prior to the public hearing verbally or in writing directly to the project planner/project manager. In addition, an interested party may speak during the public hearing or submit written comments which will be included as part of the project record.

The current planning permit review fees can be found on the Development Services Fees webpage.

The City of Oceanside Development Processing Guide provides an overview of the discretionary permit review process. Additional details may be obtained in person from Development Services Department staff during normal business hours at the Oceanside Civic center offices or by calling (760) 435-3520.

Subdivision maps show the shape and dimensions of lots and where survey pins/property markers were placed, designating property corners and establishing lot boundaries. Surveying pins are typically not exposed and are found several inches below the ground surface. To accurately determine property boundaries, where property markers don’t exist or can’t be easily located, a survey should be conducted by a licensed land surveyor. The surveyor will locate existing property corners or set new survey pins/property markers. The City does not locate property boundaries in the field.

The General Application for Discretionary Permit form can be found on the permit applications page and should be submitted to PlanningStaff@oceansideca.org when a complete submittal package is ready. 

The County Assessor’s Office provides property ownership information for all properties in the County over the phone or in person at all branch offices. The Assessor's Office also prepares and maintains maps delineating every parcel in the County. These parcel maps serve as a basis for all property assessments, and are continuously updated to reflect new subdivisions and surveys. These maps are available for review and purchase at the Assessor's San Diego Office. For more information, call (619) 531-5588.

Prior to submitting a formal entitlement application to the Planning Division, developers are encouraged to meet with City staff from various departments to obtain preliminary direction and input. Informal input on a development proposal can be obtained from Development Services Department staff on planning, engineering and building related matters during normal business hours, without an appointment. In addition, the City provides, preliminary input on projects in a semi-formal meeting setting, by appointment only, during Developer’s Conferences. The current Developer's Conference calendar and application can be found on the Developer's Conference webpage. Please send the application PlanningStaff@oceansideca.org to set up a Developer’s Conference appointment.

Development standards for a property depend upon its zoning designation. Development standards for each zoning designation are included in the Zoning Ordinance.

Planning staff is available to assist the general public during normal business hours at the Development Services Department/ Planning Division offices located at 300 N. Coast Highway can also be reached via phone at 760-435-3520 or via email at planningstaff@oceansideca.org.

The official General Plan and Zoning maps for the City of Oceanside are maintained in the Development Services Department/ Planning Division. The maps can be viewed at the Department’s offices, at the Oceanside Civic Center, during normal business hours or online with the Land Use and Zoning Map Viewer. Zoning and General Plan information can also be obtained by contacting Development Services Department staff via phone at 760-435-3520 or by placing an inquiry on the City’s website.

A Personnel Complaint is any allegation against an individual member(s) of the Department concerning conduct or performance that, if true, would constitute a violation of City or Department policy, federal, state, or local law, policy, or rule.

Inquiries about conduct or performance that, if true, would not violate department policy or federal, state, or local law, policy, or rule shall not be considered a personnel complaint. Such inquiries generally include clarification regarding policy, procedures, or the response to specific incidents by the Department.

Civilian-generated personnel complaints are resolved through a process called an Administrative Investigation. Typically, the Oceanside Police Department's Professional Standards Unit is responsible for completing all Administrative Investigations. Administrative Investigations include gathering facts and evidence, interviewing witnesses, and interviewing the accused member. Accused members are afforded procedural rights pursuant to Government Code 3300-3313. At the conclusion of this process, the accused member's Division Captain will determine the finding of the Administrative Investigation, and the Assistant Chief of Police is responsible for imposing discipline (if applicable).

Personnel Complaints can be submitted in person, over the phone, by mail, or online (https://oceansideca.seamlessdocs.com/f/OPDComplaint). Complaint forms are located at the Front Desk of the Oceanside Police Department and can be submitted to Staff or mailed in at a later date. Although written complaints are preferred, if you wish to file a complaint in person or over the phone, you can come to the Oceanside Police Department (3855 Mission Avenue, Oceanside, CA 92058) and ask to speak to an on-duty supervisor or call the on-duty Watch Commander at (760) 435-4980.

However, pursuant to Penal Code 148.6, complainants are advised prior to filing a Personnel Complaint that, “IT IS AGAINST THE LAW TO MAKE A COMPLAINT THAT YOU KNOW TO BE FALSE. IF YOU MAKE A COMPLAINT AGAINST AN OFFICER KNOWING THAT IT IS FALSE, YOU CAN BE PROSECUTED ON A MISDEMEANOR CHARGE.”

The length of an Administrative Investigation varies based on the complexity of the investigation and the capacity of the Professional Standards Unit. Absent legal exceptions, all Administrative Investigations must be completed within one year from the date the Department was made aware of the misconduct allegations (Gov. Code 3304). All Civilian Complaints are also independently reviewed by the City of Oceanside's Standing Oversight Committee. This process adds time to the final resolution of the complaint. If you have questions about the status of your complaint, please contact the Professional Standards Unit at (760) 435-4455 or by email at PSU@oceansideca.org.  

Upon completion of an Administrative Investigation, the accused member’s Division Captain, or authorized designee, will review the entire case and determine a disposition for each allegation.

Each allegation shall be classified with one of the following dispositions:

Unfounded - When the investigation discloses that the alleged acts did not occur or did not involve department members. Complaints that are determined to be frivolous will fall within the classification of unfounded (Penal Code § 832.8).

Exonerated - When the investigation discloses that the alleged act occurred but that the act was justified, lawful, and/or proper.

Not sustained - When the investigation discloses that there is insufficient evidence to sustain the complaint or fully exonerate the member.

Sustained - A final determination by an investigating agency, commission, board, hearing officer, or arbitrator, as applicable, following an investigation and opportunity for an administrative appeal pursuant to Government Code § 3304 and Government Code § 3304.5 that the actions of an officer were found to violate law or department policy (Penal Code § 832.8).

Sustained findings during an Administrative Investigation may result in disciplinary action, which is imposed by the Assistant Chief of Police, or authorized designee. Disciplinary action may include dismissal, demotion, suspension, reductions in salary, written reprimand, or transfer for purposes of punishment.

Pursuant to Penal Code § 832.5, all Personnel Complaints and any reports relating to these complaints shall be retained for a period of no less than 5 years for records where there was not a sustained finding of misconduct and for not less than 15 years where there was a sustained finding of misconduct.

Pursuant to Penal Code 832.7(f), the complainant will be notified of the final disposition of the complaint (Unfounded, Exonerated, Not Sustained, or Sustained) within 30 days of the finding. As a reminder, all Civilian-generated Personnel Complaints are independently reviewed by the City of Oceanside’s Standing Oversight Committee.

Based on the fact that Personnel Files are confidential by law, complainants will not be given access to the contents of the Administrative Investigation or disciplinary action taken (if applicable). However, civilian-generated Personnel Complaints where there were Sustained findings for unreasonable/excessive force, failure to intervene during unreasonable/excessive force, sexual assault, dishonesty, discrimination, and/or unlawful search or arrest are considered Public Records and are available for public inspection. 

A request for a copy of a police report can be made in person or by mail. A case number or the date, time and location of the incident is required to complete a request. Photo identification on specific request maybe required. If coming into the Police Department please fill out the Report Request form located on the counter in the lobby. When you have completed the form, proceed to the Records Section window located in main lobby. If you are submitting your request by mail please send the request to: Oceanside Police Department, Attention: Records, 3855 Mission Avenue, Oceanside, CA 92058. A $5.50 processing fee per report is required. All reports are processed within 10 days of the date of request and returned via mail.911 recordings, Calls for Service, and specific CAD incidents can also be requested. All items requested are subject to release in accordance with the California Public Records Act. You may contact Records at 760-435-4944 for further information.

Online reporting is available 24hrs a day at the Oceanside Police Dept. website.

You can contact the Investigations Administrative Assistant at (760) 435-4580 to check on the status of the reported case or ask to speak to an Investigations Supervisor.

If the vehicle was impounded as part of a criminal investigation, it can be held while the investigation is in progress. The department will be responsible for any storage fees after the first five business days. In most cases the vehicle are held for only a few days.

If the vehicle was impounded for another reason, the easiest way to get your vehicle out of impound is to correct the “situation” that created the need for towing the vehicle. For the most common reasons for vehicle impounds this would require the driver at the time of the impound to obtain a valid driver’s license, or the vehicle’s owner to obtain current registration for the vehicle, or the vehicle’s owner to pay off the outstanding parking tickets. Whatever the reason, once you have corrected the situation, the vehicle can be released. If the vehicle was impound due to a driver’s license issue that cannot be corrected, the vehicle will still be released after thirty (30) days.

When you come to the police department to obtain a release for a vehicle, the vehicle’s registered owner must be present. The registered owner will need to have their driver’s license with them. If they do not have one, then they will need to bring a licensed driver with them. Remember, if you live or work in California, the driver’s license must be issued by this state (active military is exempt).You will have to pay the “Vehicle Release Fee” to our Records Unit. Depending upon the reason for the impound, the fee varies between $100.00 and $165.00 for impounded vehicles. Once that fee is paid, you will have to pay the tow company for the towing and storage of your vehicle. Upon the payment of that bill, your vehicle will be released.

The towing or storage fees paid to the tow companies will vary depending on the time it took to tow your vehicle, if any special equipment was needed, and how long the vehicle was in storage. The minimum tow and storage fees are based by the cost of doing business for the individual tow company. These fees are approved by the Oceanside office of the California Highway Patrol. The tow fees currently vary from $180.00 to $210.00, while the daily storage fees vary from $38.00 to $45.00.

The Records Section accepts requests for “Local record checks” for Oceanside residents or former Oceanside residents. Proof of residency and valid photo identification must be presented. Requests are fulfilled within five business days. The fee is $10.00 per request. To request a State of California Records Checks you may access the Attorney Generals website.

Live Scan fingerprinting is electronic fingerprints used to obtain a background check on an individual. The service is available by appointment Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You must obtain your own paper work through your employer. If you are interested in obtaining a background check for yourself not for your employer, a form can be obtained by going to oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/record-review.

Restraining orders are issued by a judge and can be obtained at the Vista Superior Court. More Information

Current employment opportunities at the Police Department are posted on the City of Oceanside Website.

Sign offs are available at the front desk of Oceanside Police during business hours (Monday –Friday 8am to 5pm).

A person is charged for a false alarm when police do not find any evidence of an unauthorized attempt to enter upon the alarm user’s home or place of business.

The fee schedule is based on the number of false alarms that a person or business activates during any 365 day period.

Oceanside Police will take your used unwanted ammunition at the front desk anytime between 8am and 5pm Monday thru Friday.

All alarm systems installed in the City of Oceanside must be registered with the Police Department. Information booklets and registration forms are available at the public counter. There is no fee.

For statistics broken down by neighborhood visit main police page, and click “crime statistics in your neighborhood” button. For more specific crime statistics such as crime around a specific address visit crimemapping.com.

For more information about this program please visit the Neighborhood Watch page on Police website.

Please submit the complaint form on the Commendations and Complaints page. The Chief will review the complaint and assign the complaint for investigation if appropriate under the circumstances. The citizen will be notified by mail of our receipt and assignment of the complaint. With this letter, the citizen will also be given a copy of the complaint received by the Chief’s Office. The citizen will likely be interviewed during the investigation into the complaint. Once the investigation is complete, the citizen will receive a letter from the Chief advising them that the investigation has been completed. While our police department takes complaints very seriously, revealing the discipline issued to the officers as a result of the complaint is not permissible by law.

Please call 760-435-4900.

The forms to participate are kept at the front counter of the Police Department. A form may be picked up and completed during normal business hours of 0800 – 1700 hours, Monday through Friday. A criminal history check is completed on all applicants.

You may go to the Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Web site.

The California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) is responsible for regulating and certifying all law enforcement agencies in the state.

The Commission's goal is to concentrate its services on the three ingredients believed to be most critical to effective law enforcement:

• Meeting the statewide need for consistent peace officer selection standards by developing and updating job-related selection standards.
• Assuring that California peace officers have access to appropriate training to acquire the skills, knowledge, attitudes and behaviors which are consistent with the requirements and expectations of professional competence associated with the job at each career and experience stage.
• Fostering and facilitating healthy and productive organizational environments in which officers work by providing a system of leadership development programs and offering management counseling services.

Commission

The Commission on POST is a state agency that was formally established in 1959. It consists of 14 members, 13 of whom are appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, for three-year overlapping terms. Commissioners are selected to provide a balanced group of city and county administrators, law enforcement professionals, educators, and public members. The State Attorney General is a Commissioner by law.

The POST Advisory Committee is the Commission's "sounding board" and provides input on many of the Commission's complex issues. The Advisory Committee represents the major associations and organizations within California's law enforcement community. Educators and public members also serve on the Committee.

The POST Commission establishes minimum selection and training standards, provides counseling on improving management practices, and provides financial assistance to agencies to support the training of their peace officers, dispatchers and paraprofessional employees. Other major responsibilities include:

• administering a professional certificate program for peace officers, reserves and dispatchers;
• incorporating instructional technology in training;
• conducting feasibility studies regarding peace officer status; and implementing statutory mandates as required.

More Information About POST

Examples of applicants subject to automatic disqualification include:

• Any person who has been convicted of a felony.
• Any person who has been convicted of any offense in any other jurisdiction that would have been a felony if committed in California.
• Any person who, after January 1, 2004, has been convicted of a crime based upon a verdict, or finding of guilt of a felony by the Trier of fact, or upon the entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a felony. This paragraph shall apply regardless of whether, pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 17 of the Penal Code, the court declares the offense to be a misdemeanor or the offense becomes a misdemeanor by operation of law.
• Any person who has been charged with a felony and adjudged by a superior court to be mentally incompetent.
• Any person who has been found not guilty by reason of insanity of any felony.
• Any person who has been determined to be a mentally disordered sex offender.
• Any person adjudged addicted or in danger of becoming addicted to narcotics, convicted, and committed to a state institution.
• Any person who has been convicted of a domestic violence offense or associated crime that legally prohibits them from owning, carrying, or possessing a firearm for ten years.

The Police Department follows POST guidelines of the ten job dimensions:

• Integrity
• Impulse Control/Attention to Safety
• Risk-taking Behavior/Substance Abuse
• Stress Tolerance
• Confronting and Overcoming Problems, Obstacles & Adversity
• Conscientiousness
• Interpersonal Skills
• Decision-making and Judgment
• Learning Ability
• Communications Skills

Unless notified otherwise, business attire is strongly recommended throughout the hiring process. Jeans, sandals, T-shirts and similar attire are not appropriate for an employment process setting.

All Oceanside Police Department applicants, regardless of position, will go through a thorough background investigation. Successful completion of the background process is required for all Police Department positions.

The background process for all Police Department positions will include:

• Submission of a Personal History Statement (PHS). A copy of this may be found on the POST Web site as mentioned above.
• Authorization to run a credit check
• Authorization to release information for employers, landlords, and references
• Pre-background Interview to review your PHS and determine your suitability to continue in the process
• Polygraph Examination
• Pre-placement Testing
• Livescan (Fingerprints) and Complete Criminal History Check
• Photograph
• Background Investigation
• Hiring Authority Interview
• Job Offer
• Medical Examination
• Drug Screening
• Psychological Examination
• Meeting with Psychologist
• New Recruit Orientation
• Police Academy
• Graduation
• Swearing In
• Field Training
• Pass Probation

• Education: While a high school diploma or GED certificate is the minimum educational requirement, we place a high value on those who have completed or are working on completion of their college education.
• Work Experience: “The best predictor of future behavior is past performance.” A person who has demonstrated their ability to be a dependable and reliable employee is just as important as education. Positive job references from a reputable employer are extremely important. Any consistent employment is helpful; however, jobs that emphasize public contact, interpersonal communications, dependability and responsibility are the most important. Internships and volunteering in the community is judged in the same category as work experience and also demonstrates commitment to the community.
• Make an ongoing effort to learn about law enforcement. Many agencies have part-time positions to increase that exposure and may lead to paid, full-time positions, including Police Cadet, Community Service Officers, Volunteers, Interns, etc.
• Physical Fitness: Begin an ongoing physical fitness program. You will need to be in good physical condition to successfully compete for employment and complete a police academy. This should be made a part of your daily routine throughout your life.
• Moral character: Poor choices, particularly as an adult, may jeopardize a future law enforcement career. While perfection is not expected or required, drug use, theft, dishonesty and poor judgment end many careers before they get started.
• Balance: Above all, successful law enforcement applicants tend to be those who have balance in their lives. Maintaining that balance once you are hired and complete the academy and probation will be the key to your ongoing success in law enforcement. More information in this area may be learned by reading “Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement” by Kevin Gilmartin, Ph.D.

Yes. California State law, (California Government Code, sec. 1031) requires that peace officers be U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens who are eligible for citizenship. The Oceanside Police Department requires an applicant to be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident alien who has applied for U.S. citizenship before being hired as a police officer.

This classification is for experienced police officers who have graduated from a POST-certified basic academy, completed a probation period of full-time sworn police experience and be in possession of a California POST Basic Certificate at the time of filing the employment application.

Yes. We accept applications for lateral transfer on a continuous basis.

The requirements do include a California POST Basic Certificate, satisfactory completion of probation and either an AA/AS or 60 units. All out-of-state applicants will need to complete the California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Re-qualification Course prior to testing as a lateral police officer applicant. Please refer to the POST Web page for more details on the re-qualification course at post.ca.gov.

The POST Basic Certificate is the first of several levels of professional peace officer certificates issued by the state. The POST Basic Certificate is required within 18 months of being appointed as a peace officer.

You can obtain a California Basic POST Certificate in two ways:

• Seek employment with an agency that sponsors recruits through a POST basic police academy.
• Sponsor yourself through one of the POST basic police academies that accepts independent recruits. Those who successfully complete this program are considered “Academy Graduates” for purposes of employment and test in the same manner as “Lateral Officers.”

These basic police academies are operated by several community colleges throughout the state, including Miramar College and Palomar College.

If you are a lateral applicant from out of state, or you were not hired within three years of completing the basic academy, you may take the POST re-qualification course that is three weeks in length.

• Property held solely for safekeeping may be held for a period of 60 days.
• If the owner is incarcerated, they must make arrangements to have the property picked up within the 60 day period, or must request in writing that the property be held up to an additional 10 months.
• Property remaining in police custody in excess of this time may be disposed.

• Property that is seized by the execution of a search warrant may only be released with a court order to release the property.
• If you have a question if the property was taken in a search warrant of your home, business or vehicle contact the Oceanside Police Department Investigations Unit at (760) 435-4580
  1. Request to speak with the Investigator by name, if you have it, or
  2. Provide the following information to identify the assigned Investigator:
     1. The address where the search warrant occurred
     2. The date and time when the search warrant was executed
     3. Your name and date of birth
     4. The Oceanside Police Department Case Number (It will have the format of the year followed by a six digit number 14-000000).

• The investigating officer or the Courts must approve the release or return of all evidence taken for a case under investigation.
• Before you can recover property that was taken as evidence, certain processes must be completed by the Police Department and by the Courts. (Read "Why evidence is held" below.)
• When all legal processes have been completed. This evidence may only be released after a case disposition, i.e., dismissal, plea, trial, sentencing, and appeals.
  1. Contact the investigating officer or the Courts for release authorization.
  2. Make an appointment with the Property and Evidence Unit by calling (760) 435-4560
  3. Follow the release procedures listed in "Recover My Property" above.

• The Oceanside Police Department holds evidence items to prove or disprove facts related to incidents under investigation.
• Evidence items may be retained pending forensic analysis, i.e., the collection, review and analysis of fingerprints, DNA, serology, or photographs.
• Evidence items may be retained pending the expiration of the statute of limitation for the crime committed in the case.
  1. The statute of limitation will vary based on the seriousness of the crime.
  2. The statute of limitation may vary if the suspect flees and has a warrant for his/her arrest.
• Evidence items may be entered as evidence in a court case and will be held pending the conclusion of the case and any appeals.
• Evidence may be held to prove or disprove facts about:
  1. A crime
  2. A traffic collision
  3. A documented incident
• If an arrest has not been made and/or a suspect has not been identified, evidence items may be held up to one year or longer depending on the severity of the crime and the status of the case.
• Crime evidence may usually be released only:
  1. After the prosecution of the criminal case is completed (i.e.; by dismissal, plea, trial or after sentencing) and
  2. After the investigating officer provides the Property and Evidence Unit with a “case disposition”
  3. In more serious cases, such as homicide, rape, assault with a deadly weapon etc., evidence may never be released due to long term appeal processes in the courts and the potential for defense requests for additional analysis.
  4. In some instances, the prosecutor (Deputy District Attorney or City Prosecutor) may authorize the release of some types of evidence depending on the retention practices proof of evidence authorized by the court.
• When the case prosecution and all appeals are completed, the case investigator may receive a disposition form from the court.
• The investigator will direct that the property to be released to the rightful owner, or it will be destroyed if it cannot be released.

• Contact the Evidence and Property Unit at (760) 435-4560
  1. To verify that the property was recovered
  2. To prove ownership to the satisfaction of the police department
• Found Property must be held for a period of 90 days.
• If the found property is not claimed by the owner or the finder within 90 days, the property will be auctioned, donated or disposed pursuant to police department policy and in accordance with Civil Code 2080.1 and 2080.3.
• If the found property is worth more than $250.00 and is not claimed within the 90 day period, the department must advertise the property in a newspaper of general circulation Civil Code 2080.3.
  1. The department must wait seven days following the date of first publication of the notice.
  2. The finder will be required to pay cost of publication before the title will vest in the person who found or saved the property.

• If the property is not claimed by the owner or by the finder, the property is auctioned, donated or disposed by department policy and in accordance with California Civil Code 2080.1.
• The finder of property or cash that is not claimed within those 90 days by the rightful owner can apply to claim the items.
• Commonly found property that citizens seek to claim generally includes jewelry, bicycles, cash, clothing, etc.
• Found firearms and contraband cannot be claimed by the finder. These items will be destroyed or disposed as prescribed by law.
• If you have any other questions about claiming found property, you may call (760) 435-4560

• Obtain the authorization for release of the firearm from the Oceanside Police Department investigating officer (detective) or from the Court.
• Complete a Law Enforcement Gun Release Application with the California Department of Justice to determine your eligibility to possess the firearm.
• Confirm that the DOJ ownership records for the firearm are in your name, and/or file a Firearm Ownership Record application with the department of Justice.
• Upon issuance of a DOJ firearm clearance letter, make an appointment with the Evidence and Property Unit by calling (760) 435-4560
• Present your clearance letter at the appointment with photo government identification.

• You must follow the Law Enforcement Gun Release (LEGR) Program required by the State of California Department of Justice (DOJ). There are no exceptions.
• Submission requirements and processing fees are available on the Law Enforcement Gun Release Application.
• To recover your firearm, you must complete a Law Enforcement Gun Release (LEGR) Application, and
  1. Send the application along with the appropriate processing fee to the Department of Justice.
  2. The processing fee for a Law Enforcement Gun Release Application is listed on the application. (See the DOJ website for the fee amounts. You must pay an amount for the first firearm (long gun or handgun), and a lesser amount for each additional firearm.)
• If your firearm was submitted into evidence at the court during a trial, you may have to recover the firearm from the court.
  1. If the court or the Oceanside Police Department determines that the firearm was reported stolen, the fee for the stolen firearms(s) will be waived.
  2. You must send documentation from the court or the Oceanside Police Department to DOJ confirming that the firearm was reported stolen along with the Law Enforcement Gun Release Application to qualify for the fee waiver. (See the DOJ website for the full details of this process.)
• When DOJ receives your Law Enforcement Gun Release Application, DOJ will conduct a firearms eligibility check to determine if you are lawfully eligible to possess firearms.
• Typical DOJ processing time for a Law Enforcement Gun Release Application is four to six weeks.
• You will receive a notice of the results. If this notice states that you are eligible to possess firearms, you may take the notice to the court or to the Oceanside Police Department to claim your firearm. The approval notice must be presented to the court or the Oceanside Police Department within thirty (30) days of the date of the notice. Failure to do so will result in the need to submit a new application and fees to undergo another firearms eligibility check.
• You may obtain a LEGR application and instructions from the DOJ website. See the following url links:
  • oag.ca.gov/firearms
  • oag.ca.gov/firearms/legrinfo
  • oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/firearms/forms/pdf/legr.pdf
• Firearms will be released only to the registered owner of the firearm with valid government identification.
• You must confirm that the DOJ ownership record of the firearm is in your name.
• The Oceanside Police Department or the court may not release a handgun to a person unless the handgun is recorded in DOJ records in the name of the person who seeks its return. (PC 12021.3(b)(2).
• The submission of the LEGR application for a handgun will not change the ownership records of the handgun.
  1. The name of the handgun owner can only be changed by a transfer transaction performed by a licensed firearms dealer.
  2. In unusual cases where a dealer transfer is not required, you change the ownership information by submitting a Firearm Ownership Record to the Department of Justice.
  3. Obtain a Firearm Ownership Record application at oag.ca.gov/firearms/forms
• An additional check will be made when you arrive at the Oceanside Police Department to claim the firearm. This final check is to ensure that there has not been a change to your record since the DOJ check.

Yes, see the sections below for details.

• Firearms and other weapons confiscated and held pursuant to Penal Code 12028.5 related to domestic violence have special requirements for release.
• Penal Code 12028.5 states that no firearm or other deadly weapon shall be held less than forty-eight (48) hours.
• If the police department has reasonable cause to believe that the return of the firearm or weapon would likely endanger the victim or reporting party of the assault or threat, the police department may initiate a petition to the superior court within 60 days of the seizure to request that the firearm not be returned. See PC 12028.5 for more information.
• If the firearm is not retained as evidence related to criminal charges for the domestic violence incident or is not retained because it was illegally possessed the firearms may be returned to you subject to the requirements of the DOJ LEGR Program (PC 12021.3)

• Firearms and other weapons confiscated and held pursuant to your inability to care for your safety or the safety of others (mental health issues) have special requirements for release.
• If you are committed to a mental health facility, prior to, or concurrent with, your discharge, the facility will inform you that you are prohibited from owning, possessing, controlling, receiving, or purchasing any firearm for a period of five years.
• You may request a hearing from a court for an order permitting you to own, possess, control, receive, or purchase a firearm. (See Welfare and Institutions Codes 8102 and 8103 for more information.)
• If the police department believes that the release of the firearms confiscated from you pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code 8102 may endanger you or others, it may make a report of the details surrounding the confiscation of these items and give it to the county prosecuting agency or City Attorney’s Office. The City Attorney must file a petition within 30 to 60 days of the incident, alleging that the return of these items would be likely to result in endangering you or others, or the items must be returned to you, if you are not prohibited from possessing firearms.
• If the prosecuting agency does file such a petition, you have a right to a hearing on the question of whether returning these firearms would in fact be likely to result in endangering you or others.
• A copy of the prosecuting agency’s petition will be mailed to you; if you wish to request a hearing you must notify the clerk of the Court within 30 days of the filing date of the prosecuting agency’s petition.
• The clerk will then set a date and time for the hearing and a notification will be mailed to you.

• Firearms held for safekeeping and not claimed within 180 days are eligible for disposal in accordance with 12021.3(g) California Penal Code.
• If the owner is prohibited from ownership and the firearm is not illegal, he/she may sell/transfer the firearm to a licensed firearms dealer.

• Contact the Evidence and Property Unit at (760) 435-4560
  1. Provide your name, a case number, or other information to allow us to find the property
  2. Verify that the property may be released
  3. Determine if it is held as evidence in a case (if held as evidence, you will require release approval from the detective or the court)
• Bring government photo identification to the Evidence and Property Facility. Accepted identification includes:
  1. Driver license
  2. State identification card
  3. Military identification
  4. Passport
• Bring any documentation that may verify that you own the property (if ownership is at question). This may include:
  1. An Oceanside Police Department property receipt
  2. A court order
  3. An order for release by an investigator
  4. A verifiable sales receipt with serial numbers
  5. The police report number of the incident that documents your property
  6. A notarized letter authorizing the release of property to you by the owner, if they are unable to appear to recover the property personally
  7. A request letter to release property to an employee if on institutional letterhead with an official witness
  8. Other documentation that may show that you own the property in police custody

• For security purposes, a limited number of police employees have access to the evidence and property held by the police department. These employees work during business hours Monday through Thursday.
• The process to recover property held by the Police Department will depend on the type of property you want to recover. The release of certain property is dictated by the laws of the State of California. Some of the different types of property are:
  1. Property that is Found
  2. Property Seized in a Search Warrant
  3. Property Held as Evidence
  4. Money
  5. Firearms and Other Weapons
  6. Property Held for Safekeeping
  7. Property Taken from Prisoner

• It is important to keep your address current with the California Department of Motor Vehicles. This is a primary means for the police department to locate and contact you when notice must be given to you about your property.
• Call to the Evidence and Property Unit to determine the status of your property.

Bring the following documents and information with you to your appointment:

1. A certified copy of the decedent's death certificate (at least 40 days must have passed since the death).
2. A certified copy of the estate rights (power of attorney, executor, etc.) and/or an affidavit or declaration which complies with Probate Code 13101.

All cities with city council districts must engage in “redistricting” every 10 years following the decennial federal census in order to ensure that all districts continue to have equal populations and follow all state and federal laws. In 2018, the Oceanside City Council transitioned to a district-based voting system to elect its City Council members, replacing its at-large election system. The City of Oceanside must now ensure that no changes are needed in light of the new 2020 federal census data and must go through the regular decennial redistricting process.

The redistricting process is designed to be as transparent and accessible as possible. You are invited to attend one or more of the City Council hearings and workshops to provide input in person. Please see below for the schedule. You can also provide input by mail or email or by dropping off materials to the City Clerk. Please see below for the contact information. You can also submit input online via the Oceanside Online Redistricting Tool where you can draw districts and/or full redistricting plans. Additionally, you can provide Community of Interest testimony online. Please see the instructions “How to Submit Your Oceanside COI Online.”

The redistricting process timeline is prescribed by the California Election Code. Section 21627.1. This requires that Oceanside hold at least one public hearing before the Council draws a draft map or maps of the proposed council boundaries and at least two public hearings after the Council has drawn a draft map or maps of the proposed council boundaries. All public hearing buildings shall be accessible to persons with disabilities, and translation services shall be available upon request (at least 72 hours before the meeting).

Schedule of Public Meetings

Our demographer will also be hosting office hours. Join one of the below meetings to ask any questions about the mapping tool.

• Thursday, January 27, 2022 3:00-5:00 p.m.
• Friday, January 28, 2022 3:00-5:00 p.m.
• Saturday, January 29, 2022 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
• Monday, February 7, 2022 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Generally, the following criteria are used to redraw the council districts (California Elections Code. Section 21601):

• Each district should contain nearly the same number of people;
• Boundaries shall be drawn in a manner that complies with the United States Constitution and the Federal Voting Rights Act;
• Council districts shall consist of contiguous territory in as compact form as practicable;
• Districts shall follow visible features and boundaries when possible;
• Council districts shall respect Communities of Interest as much as practicable. Communities of Interest generally refers to a contiguous population that shares common social and economic interests that should be included within a single district for purposes of fair and effective representation;
• The demographer will disregard the location of incumbents and candidates, as well as the interests of political parties.

In summary, this means the following:

• We will use a mapping program to construct districts after public input has been received.
• Census data will be used to find out how many people live in each part of the city and ensure that each district contains roughly the same number of people.
• Census geography will be used to ensure that the districts are compact and contiguous.
• We will collect and utilize Community of Interest data from the residents of Oceanside to use in the building of districts.
• We will not use any address information for current council members or potential candidates or use political party affiliation or information in the drawing of districts.

As counted by the 2020 Census, the City of Oceanside had a total population of 174,578. The decennial census is the only survey that counts everyone, so we have to use that data to draw districts. There will be 4 council districts. To figure out the ‘ideal population’ for each council district, take the total population (174,578) and divide it by the number of districts (4) which equals approximately 43,645 persons.

Districts are drawn using the total population as counted by the last census. Everyone who was counted, irrespective of age, residency status or other demographics has to be assigned to a district. Districts are not equalized using voters, registered voters or citizens.

We would like to hear from you so we can make informed decisions about where to draw district lines. Specifically, we need information from you about your neighborhoods and communities of interest. You are the expert who knows your community and neighborhood! If we know the geographic locations of the Communities of Interest (COI) in Oceanside, we can consider them when drawing lines and we won’t inadvertently split them! Keeping communities together in the same district can help to get more responsive representation. Please submit COIs by February 10 to be considered in the first draft map(s).

One of the criteria to draw maps is called “Communities of Interest” or COI. Because there are no datasets available for Communities of Interest, we appreciate your help to define them for the City of Oceanside. A COI is a group of people in a defined geographic location that share a common bond or interest. A Community of Interest is defined as “a contiguous population which shares common social and economic interests that should be included within a single district for purposes of fair and effective representation.” Please tell us what defines your Community of Interest, where it is located, and why it should stay together.

Fire and life safety inspections are done to protect property owners and residents from the devastating effects of fire. By promoting a safe living environment in these types of occupancies, the chance for fire decreases. Fire can kill, disable, destroy property and disrupt lives. According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 79% (412,500) of the 524,000 structure fires reported in 2006 occurred in residential properties, including homes, hotels, motels, rooming houses and dormitories; 76% (396,000) occurred in homes. NFPA uses the term “home” to include one- and two-family dwellings, apartments and manufactured housing. Residential structure fires rose 4% in 2006 from the 381,000 reported in 2005. Four of every five fire deaths resulted from residential structure fires. 80% of the 3,245 civilian fire deaths reported in 2006 were caused by residential structure fires.

Yes. These inspections must be conducted annually for all properties containing three or more dwelling units, hotels, motels, lodging houses, bed and breakfast facilities, and congregate residences. The California Health and Safety Code, Section 13146.2 (a) mandates that the inspections be completed annually while the California Health and Safety Code, Section 13146.2 (b) provides the City legal authority to charge property owners to recover reasonable costs for providing these annual inspections.

Your property will be inspected annually, one year from the previous compliant inspection. Inspections will be conducted by Fire Prevention Inspectors Monday through Friday during the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. The goal is to have each property inspected at approximately the same time of year. Large occupancies may be contacted to arrange inspection dates and times in an effort to ensure access to fire system components and facility personnel responsible for their maintenance.

An initial inspection will be conducted by a Fire Inspector. At the conclusion of the inspection a report detailing any violations that need correction will be mailed to the property owner. Violations shall be promptly corrected by the property owner or their representative. A first re-inspection will be conducted on or after 30 days of the initial inspection. At this time individual violations will be cleared if corrective action has been taken. If violations still exist, a second re-inspection will be required and additional inspection fees will be charged.

Generally, inspectors will not examine the interior of units. However, if a renter is home, they may request the inspector check their smoke detector. Inspectors may check smoke detectors in vacant units if the owner or manager is present and gives consent.

Your property should be maintained in good order. For example, common areas and exit hallways should be clear of stored items; laundry room, machines and filters kept clean; address and unit numbers clearly visible; exit signs well-maintained; hydrants, fire sprinkler systems and utility valves kept clear of vegetation. Fire extinguishers must be serviced and tagged annually by a certified contractor. Smoke detectors and batteries should be checked regularly. Fire sprinkler systems require service annually and every five years and fire alarm systems must be serviced annually.

A typical fire and life safety inspection at these type of occupancies include checking for fire hazards specific to access, exiting and exit system components, fire protection equipment, fire extinguishers, storage and housekeeping, and utilities (gas and electric).

Access

• Fire lane obstructions
• Property identification numbers
• Key box access and contents
• Utilities (gas and electrical service) access
• Hydrant access

Exiting

• Exit system components including exit signs and lighting
• Exit access doors including hardware, function and fit
• Staircase and railing condition
• Hallway and/or corridor obstructions
• Security window bars and gates

Utilities (Gas and Electric)

• Utilities identification
• Extension cords
• Wire condition and installation

Storage and Housekeeping in Common Area

• Excessive storage
• Hazardous materials storage
• Fire hazard clearance
• BBQs on Balconies

Fire Protection Equipment

• Smoke detectors
• Fire alarm systems
• Fire sprinkler systems
• Fire extinguishers
• Fire protection system signage

The fees vary according to the time required to complete the inspection and reflect the fee needed to recover the costs of the inspection.

A permit is required for driveway improvements located within the public right-of-way and for driveway relocations. For further questions regarding driveway permits you can call the Engineering Transportation Section at 760-435-5097.

You can submit an online request, or call the Engineering Transportation Section at 760-435-5097.

You can submit an online request, or call the Engineering Transportation Section at 760-435-5097.

You can submit an online request, or call the Engineering Transportation Section at 760-435-5097.

You can submit an online request, or call the Streetlight Hotline at 760-435-5122.

The City of Oceanside Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program outlines the process for the use and installation of traffic calming devices. To inquire or initiate the process you can submit an online request or call the Engineering Transportation Section at 760-435-5097. Requests are logged however the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program is currently suspended due to lack of funding with the exception of radar feedback signs.

The City does not allow the installation of “Children at Play” signs in the public right-of-way.

You can submit an online request, or call the Pot Hole Request Line at 760-435-4500.

You can submit an online request, or call the Street Light Hotline at 760-435-4500.

You can submit an online request or call 760-435-4500. Code enforcement division offers graffiti removal with written authorization from the property owner.

Oceanside has a unique enforcement policy. State law allows for posting of signs for street sweeping and technically any vehicle parked during the posted time is subject to citation. However, in Oceanside, our goal is to gain compliance so that we can get streets swept and to work with people the best that we can to accommodate high density parking issues. Our enforcement policy allows for a driver to move for the sweeper to avoid a citation and then park back where we have already swept. Enforcement officers follow the sweeper to observe the sweeper have to pass a vehicle so once the sweeper and the officer have passed, a vehicle is free to park. Sweeper operators will even wait for drivers to get to their cars if they are flagged prior to passing a vehicle. Once the sweeper has gone around or has begun to go around a vehicle – a citation will be issued.

Street sweeping is not delayed a day like trash service. We can only sweep and enforce as the no parking signs indicate. Holidays are handled differently with some days when no sweeping occurs at all to sweeping occurring just with no enforcement. When a sweep is missed altogether, we endeavor to make it up as sometime during the month or will respond to individual requests for maintenance as our schedule allows.

2024 Sweep Holiday Schedule

2025 Sweep Holiday Schedule

You can contact the Parking Enforcement Office at 760-435-5195 or 760-435-3890.

All vehicles must comply with the posted signs. If a vehicle is broken down a citation recipient may request for a review of the citation as outlined in item # 2 on the back of the citation and upon the presentation of a valid tow, repair, or parts receipt and with no other outstanding parking citations may receive a one time waiver. While there are few other exceptions to the posted signs, the parking enforcement office does work with residents with extenuating circumstances by providing parking alternatives, ample notice of the sweeper so that vehicles can be moved, etc. Please call the parking enforcement office at (760) 435-5195 for more information.

If the work involves a lane closure and is located on an arterial street. For further questions and clarification you can call the Engineering Transportation Section at 760-435-5097.

In general, if you have any work that is in the public right-of-way. For further questions regarding the use of a right of way permit and/or traffic control plan you can call Development Services at 760-435-5097.

All public streets in residential areas are swept bi monthly, either on 1st and 3rd or a 2nd and 4th weekday. There should be a sign at the entrance to every street, and more staggered on longer blocks that will advise you of your sweep day. Or, check the listing of streets.

You can submit an online request, or call the Engineering Transportation Section at 760-435-5097.

You can submit an online request, or call the Engineering Transportation Section at 760-435-5097.

You can submit an online request, or call the Engineering Transportation Section at 760-435-5097.

You can submit an online request, or call the Public Works Help Line at 760-435-4500.

You can submit an online request, or call the Public Works Help Line at 760-435-4500.

Street sweeping on a routine bi-monthly schedule has been in effect citywide since 1986. Street sweeping removes over 50 tons per week of material that would otherwise remain in the street and eventually end up in our storm drain conveyance system potentially causing flooding and in the end polluting our creeks and ocean. In addition to the City’s longstanding commitment to street sweeping, recent legislation actually requires all coastal cities to have a comprehensive sweeping program. Oceanside is literally decades ahead of our neighbors who are just now developing similar street sweeping programs.

The City has learned with experience that the most efficient way in cleaning our streets and removing the harmful constituents left by vehicular traffic is to have the street free and clear of vehicles. No parking during the scheduled sweeping times assures that we are able to sweep as much of the street as possible.

To request assistance for a street sweeping issue, please contact the Public Works hotline at (760) 435-4500.

For parking enforcement issues, please contact the Parking Enforcement office at (760) 435-5195.

Per OTC 10.4, every vehicle must be moved at least 1/10th of a mile within a seventy-two (72) consecutive hour period.

Yes, the 72 hour rule applies to all vehicles.

Yes, the 72 hour rule applies to all vehicles, but at the same time there is also No Parking of all Oversize Vehicles and Unattached Trailers from all City streets daily from 2:00am - 6:00am.

Per OTC 10.28, no person shall park or leave standing an oversize vehicle or non-motorized vehicle or any unattached trailer upon any street between 2:00am and 6:00am.

An Oversize Vehicle is any vehicle or combination of vehicles that exceeds any one of the following: 25 feet in length, OR 84 inches (7 feet) in width, or 84 inches (7 feet) in height. Any extension(s) caused by mirrors or accessories attached to the side(s) of such vehicle shall not be considered part of the measured width area.

An Unattached Trailer/Non-Motorized Vehicle is any trailer, travel trailer, tow dolly, semi-trailer, boat trailer, utility trailer, or any other vehicle without means of self-propulsion. (Oceanside Traffic Code Sec. 10.28.1).

There is no parking of any Oversize Vehicles and Unattached Trailers from 2:00am - 6:00am on all City streets.

Yes, but remember the Oversize Vehicle and/or Unattached Trailer can still be cited daily while parked on the street from 2:00am - 6:00am.

Yes. Oceanside residents can review the Updated Oversized Vehicles Permit Rules and Regulations to see which exemption may apply to your situation.

No. Per OTC 10.29 (a) and (b), you may not connect any vehicle to utility and power while parked in the street. You can be issued a citation every hour.

Before placing the vehicle in the street from 2:00am - 6:00am, residents can apply for temporary permits.

Residents can apply for a one-time temporary permit for special circumstances, which are listed in the City website.

For more information, contact Parking Enforcement at 760-435-5195.

• A Safekeeping and Prisoner Property Receipt is proof of your possession or ownership of property if it is taken from you by an Oceanside Police Department police officer.
  1. Department members will usually issue you a Safekeeping and Prisoner Property Receipt that describes the items taken and the reason(s) why they were taken.
  2. The reverse side of the Safekeeping and Prisoner Property Receipt has instructions about how the seized property will be handled, released or destroyed if it is not claimed within the time periods defined by law.
• The Safekeeping and Prisoner Property Receipt is also used to accept found property from the finder pursuant to Civil Code 2080; the finder signs the form and declares, under penalty of perjury, that the owner of the found property is unknown to them.

You can apply for a scholarship one of the following ways:

• Email application to recadmin@oceansideca.org
• Mail application to:
  Attn: Parks & Recreation
  300 N. Coast Highway
  Oceanside, CA 92054
• Walk in at the Parks and Recreation Administrative Office

You need to provide the following:

• Proof of residency (Driver License, ID, Utility Bill)
• Proof of income (two consecutive paystubs or W-2)

Yes, only Oceanside residents are eligible for the Youth Scholarship Program.

No, the family is responsible for paying 50% of each program. The scholarship works to assist part of the cost.

While funds are available, a family can qualify between $150-$300 per household per year.

Applications are accepted year-round while funds are available.

No, funds cannot be rolled over into the next year. If you don’t use it the money will expire.

If the owner corrects the problems, you can keep your Section 8. The owner can bill you for the cost of repairs and can evict you if you do not repay him/her. If you are evicted, you can lose your Section 8.

The various inspections that the Housing Authority performs include:

• Initial inspections - the first inspection of the unit before a lease can be signed and the participant can move in
• Annual inspections - an inspection of each unit at least every 364 days to ensure compliance with housing quality standards
• Re-inspections and subsequent inspections - which are follow-ups to annual inspections which need some type of corrective actions
• Special inspections - the Housing Authority is informed by the participant, the landlord or a neighbor that there is a problem/complaint with the leased unit and some type of corrective action may be needed
• Quality Control Inspections - when a supervisor re-inspects a unit to ensure the quality of the inspection and to ensure that the unit meets all of the HUD requirements

You will find more information on Housing Quality Standards (HQS), including inspection checklists and requirements on the Housing and Urban Development website. Please review the Housing Authority Inspection Checklist and make necessary repairs before the Housing Authority inspects the unit.

Keep closets and other storage areas free of all clutter and trash; Make sure that all dishes are clean and safely stored when not in use. Maintain the refrigerator of the unit clean and free of spoiled food. Defrost the freezer when necessary. Keep the bathroom exhaust fan --if any-- free of dust and particles. Maintain a clean toilet and tank, and keep the tub and/or shower clean and free of mildew and mold.

Transfer Procedures (Also known as Portability)

This section is for families who receive their vouchers through one housing agency and wish to transfer their voucher to another housing agency. Unfortunately, we cannot accept a transfer to our jurisdiction unless we receive a portability packet from the initial housing agency. The initial housing agency should mail or fax the portability packet to our agency at the following address:

City of Oceanside Housing and Neighborhood Services
Attn: Portability
300 North Coast Highway
Oceanside, CA 92054
Fax (760) 757-9076

Processing time is 14-30 days. It is important that the family have sufficient resources, including a place to stay and available funds to pay for temporary housing and other expenses, to carry them through the processing period. We do not have emergency assistance. Since the policies and procedures of the receiving housing agency apply, some of the policies a transferring family should be aware of include:

• We research criminal history of all incoming transfers and will not process the transfer if anyone in the household has engaged in certain criminal activities, including violent and drug-related criminal offenses
• We may reduce the voucher size
• Our payment standards may be lower
• For an admission at the initial housing agency, the family income may exceed our income limits, and the family may be ineligible for assistance at our agency

There are five other housing agencies in San Diego County. We do not serve the following cities, and if you want to move to those cities, you must contact them directly:

• San Diego County Housing Authority - Includes the unincorporated areas of the county and the cities of Chula Vista, Coronado, Del Mar, El Cajon, Escondido, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Poway, San Marcos, Santee, Solana Beach and Vista.
  (858) 694-4831
• Encinitas Housing Authority - Includes Cardiff
  (760) 633-2723
• Carlsbad Housing Authority
  (760) 434-2810
• National City Housing Authority
  (619) 336-4263
• San Diego Housing Commission - Includes San Ysidro
  (619) 231-9400

If you are moving outside of San Diego County and do not know the address for the Housing Authority in the area you are moving to, the Affordable Housing Online website may help you.

It will be necessary to provide the following information at your interview:

1. Current proof of income (pay stubs, award letter for Social Security benefits, Unemployment, Child Support, CalWorks, etc.)
2. Current proof of any asset (all pages of current bank statements, trust funds, life insurance, etc.)
3. Birth certificates and social security cards for all household members
4. Picture identification for all adults
5. Legal immigration documents for all household members (if applicable)

The interview/briefing is very important. You will need to attend and provide all the necessary verifications requested before we can approve you for assistance. We require all household members 18 years or older to attend the interview and show their picture identifications. We cannot process the transfer until the family attends the interview. Failure to attend the interview may be grounds for denial/termination of assistance. After the interview, we will issue a voucher and a Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) form. We must receive the RFTA on or before the date the voucher expires. We cannot process the RFTA until the family passes the criminal history verification, and the unit selected must be rent-reasonable and affordable. After we approve the RFTA, we will schedule an inspection. Assistance will begin only after the unit passes an inspection, and the landlord enters into a lease with the family and signs our Housing Assistance Payment Contract.

Yes. All Section 8 program applicants, participants are entitled to an informal appeal and review process to consider whether Housing Authority decisions are in accordance with HUD regulations and Housing Authority policies.

There are three different types of reviews and hearings. The specific review or hearing available to you depends on the nature of the complaint. The three procedures are Tenant Counseling, Informal Review, and Informal Hearing.

1. Informal Review: Section 8 Program applicants have the right to request an Informal Review if it is determined that they fail to meet Section 8 program qualifications. Upon notification of their being withdrawn from the Section 8 Wait List, applicants are informed of their right to re-apply, and to request an Informal Review of the Housing Authority's denial of their qualifications. The Informal Review is conducted by the Supervising Housing Specialist or his/her designee. Applicants are given the opportunity to contest the Housing Authority's decision, and are promptly notified of the basis for the decision.
2. Tenant Counseling: Counselings are scheduled with tenants regarding unauthorized household members; Owner Complaints regarding Damage: Unpaid Rent; Unpaid utilities and general compliance with Section 8 Program rules. Housing Authority supervisors review and try to resolve complaints. Complaints not resolved at the tenant counseling level are referred to Informal Hearing.
3. Informal Hearing: Informal Hearings are conducted to allow Section 8 participants to contest Housing Authority determinations regarding: Family's Share of the Rent; Denial or Termination of Section 8 Assistance; Assignment of Specific Bedroom Size Appropriate to the Family; Damages, Unpaid Rent; Denial of Voucher issuance or Re-Issuance; and Denial on the Basis of Citizenship Status. All Informal Hearing requests are given to a Hearing Officer. The Hearing Officer ensure that hearings are impartial, and that all parties have an opportunity to present evidence and testimony. When the hearing is completed, the Hearing Officer prepares an official hearing transcript for presentation to both parties. The Hearing Officer's written decision identifies and summarizes case facts; issues; evidence; pertinent laws; HUD regulations; HA policies; and the specific reason(s) for arriving at the decision.

The new Lead Based Paint Regulations took effect on September 15, 2000. More information can be found on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development website.

Units where children under age six live and which were built before January 1, 1978. 0 bedroom and 1 bedroom units where children are not expected to live, and units certified to be lead free are exempt from the requirements.

All painted surfaces are affected - interior, exterior and common areas servicing the unit.

Check the HUD website for the most current information regarding lead, and:

• Sign the Lead-Based Paint Disclosure form.
• Notify your landlord of peeling or chipping paint.
• Wash your children's hands often, especially before eating and sleeping.
• Keep play areas clean. Keep children from chewing window sills or other painted surfaces.
• Don't try to remove lead-based paint yourself.
• Get your children tested if you think your home has high levels of lead.

You should write the owner a letter and send a copy of it to your Section 8 Housing Specialist (HS). You should allow the owner 30 days to correct the problems. If there is an immediate threat to your health and safety, you should immediately notify the owner and your HS by telephone and allow the owner 24 hours to make the repairs. You may want to send a follow up letter to the owner. Remember to send a copy of the letter to your HS as well.

If the problems are not corrected, you should contact your Section 8 HS and ask for an inspection. The Housing Inspector will document the problems and notify the owner to correct them.

The Housing Authority will automatically re-inspect the unit. If the owner fails to correct the problems, the Housing Authority will stop paying the landlord. The owner will not receive any Housing Assistance Payments until the repairs have been made and verified by a Housing Authority Inspector. However, you must still keep paying your portion of the rent so that you are still meeting the terms of the lease. The Housing Authority’s abatement of the unit should not lead to an eviction.

Your Section 8 HS may give you a new voucher to find another unit. Your Section 8 HS will end the Contract after notifying you and the owner.

In order to receive Section 8 assistance, you must live a unit which is decent, safe and sanitary. You will have up to 120 days to find new housing. If you do not find housing within 120 days, and the unit still does not pass inspection, you will lose your Section 8.

A security deposit is any payment, fee, deposit, or charge other than the first month’s rent that a tenant pays when he/she moves in. Deposits such as cleaning fees, key deposits, pet deposits, and “last month’s rent” are all security deposits. A security deposit cannot exceed 2 months rent for an unfurnished unit or 3 months rent for a furnished unit. It is illegal for any security deposit to be called “non-refundable.” A landlord may increase a security deposit only by giving a written 30 day notice to the tenant in advance. An increase in the security deposit may not be allowed by the terms of a lease, or by law (if the owner has already collected the maximum allowed by law).

If the unit is sold, the landlord must either return the security deposit to the tenant or transfer it to the new owner. If neither of these is done, then both the old and new owner are held responsible for the return of the deposit.

A security deposit can be used to make up for unpaid rent when a tenant moves, for repair of damages to the unit, and for cleaning the unit if the unit is not left as clean as when the tenant moved in. It may not be used for repair due to ordinary wear and tear.

A security deposit must be returned within 3 weeks after the tenant moves. If the landlord makes any deductions from a security deposit, he must provide a written statement describing the deductions and refund the balance. If the owner refuses to return a security deposit in bad faith, a tenant can sue in small claims court for the amount of money that should have been refunded plus $600 in damages. If a tenant disagrees with the deductions made, the tenant should contact the landlord. A tenant can sue the owner for the balance not returned in small claims court.

Yes. You must be a Section 8 tenant in good standing and have lived in your unit for one year.

If you currently receive a housing voucher from the Oceanside Housing Authority and you want to move (port-out) to another area, you will need to contact the housing authority for the area where you want to live.  If you do not know the contact information for the Housing Authority in the area you are moving to, this link may help you: Public Housing Authority Contact Information.

You must also contact your housing specialist in our office at (760) 435-3360 or via e-mail at Section8@oceansideca.org to request the move and the portability packet be sent to the other housing authority. For a list of Section 8 staff and caseloads, please see the Caseload Assignments.

For more information on moving, please visit our HCV Participating Tenant website.

How long it takes to get a voucher to move depends on whether your income verifications are up to date and on how many other Section 8 participants have requested to move. However, if your landlord asks you to move, submit a copy of the 30 or 90-day notice, or court paper (such as an unlawful detainer) to your HS along with your written request to move. That will speed up the process.

The Housing Authority will initially give you 60 days to find a new unit. If you are unable to find suitable housing within that timeframe you can request an additional 60 days for a total of 120 days... However, if your landlord has given you a notice to move, then you may be in danger of eviction at the end of the notice period.

No, you cannot move in right away. You must follow the steps below:

1. Give written notice of your intention to move to your owner with a copy to your HS
2. Schedule a move appointment with your HS
3. Housing Choice Voucher and Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) will be issued at your move appointment
4. Find a new unit and discuss the Section 8 Program with owner
5. Submit the RFTA to your HS
6. The Housing Authority schedules a Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection of the unit and surveys rents in the area
7. If there are problems in the new unit, the owner makes repairs. If there are no deficiencies, the unit passes the inspection
8. Housing Authority re-inspects for deficiencies, if necessary
9. If the unit passes inspection, and you, the Housing Authority, and the owner agree to the Rent, Start Date, Security Deposit, and other Lease terms, the Housing Authority authorizes you to move in after you and the owner sign the Lease

You can only move one time in any 12-month period.

Yes. At the time of an annual or complaint inspection, you and the owner are notified in writing of the repairs to be made. The HA does not determine who is responsible for correcting the fail items. Failure to correct the problems in a timely manner can result in termination of assistance.

If you fail to correct the problems, you will lose your Section 8.

Yes. You are responsible for repairing the stove and refrigerator if they belong to you. You are also responsible for utilities if your lease says you are responsible for them. If you don’t pay your gas and electric bills and they are turned off, you can lose your Section 8.

Yes, the Housing Authority can terminate your Section 8 rental assistance.

The Housing Authority can terminate rental assistance for the following reasons:

• Violation of any of the Section 8 Program Family obligations which include serious or repeated violations of your lease
• Previous eviction from public housing
• Drug-related or violent criminal activity
• Fraud, bribery, or criminal activity in connection with any federal housing assistance program
• Outstanding unpaid rent, vacancy loss, other debts or any other money due the Housing Authority or another Housing Authority
• Breach of an agreement by the family to repay the Housing Authority for any money due the Housing Authority
• Failure to sign and submit forms to document your family composition and income
• Failure to fulfill family obligations under the Section 8 welfare-to-work voucher program
• Abusive, violent behavior or threats toward Housing Authority personnel

The Section 8 Family Obligations are HUD rules for continuing participation in the Section 8 Voucher rental assistance program. There are on your Housing Choice Voucher.

Yes, you have the right to an Informal Hearing to present facts to support why your Section 8 should not be terminated.

Yes, you will be allowed to re-apply for the Section 8 Program if we are taking applications. You will be placed on a waiting list. Persons added to the waiting list now can expect a long wait for assisted housing. When your name comes up on the list, the Housing Authority will make a thorough review of your prior termination and determine whether you can be admitted to the Section 8 Program under the rules in effect at that time.

• You may surrender a firearm or weapon for destruction by calling for a police officer to respond to your residence or business in Oceanside.
  1. Call the police department Communications Unit at (760) 435-4900
  2. Tell the dispatcher that you would like to surrender a firearm for destruction.
  3. Officers will respond to your home or business to collect the firearm.
• You may surrender a firearm or weapon for destruction at the police station.
  1. Go to the police station lobby at 3855 Mission Ave.
  2. Tell the front desk officer that you would like to surrender a firearm for destruction at the lobby.

Handguns

• California Penal Code section 12025 does not prevent a citizen of the United States over 18 years of age who is not lawfully prohibited from firearm possession, and who resides or is temporarily in California, from transporting by motor vehicle any pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person provided the firearm is unloaded and stored in a locked container.
• The term "locked container" means a secure container which is fully enclosed and locked by a padlock, key lock, combination lock, or similar locking device. This includes the trunk of a motor vehicle, but does not include the utility or glove compartment. For more information, refer to California Penal Code Section 12026.1.

Shotguns and Rifles

• Non-concealable firearms (rifles and shotguns) are not generally covered within the provisions of California Penal Code section 12025 and therefore are not required to be transported in a locked container. However, as with any firearm, non-concealable firearms must be unloaded while they are being transported.
• A rifle or shotgun that is defined as an assault weapon pursuant to Penal Code 12276 or 12276.1 must be transported in accordance with Penal Code section 12026.1.

Registered Assault Weapons

• California Penal Code section 12285(c)(7) requires that registered assault weapons may be transported only between specified locations and must be unloaded and in a locked container when transported.
• The term "locked container" means a secure container which is fully enclosed and locked by a padlock, key lock, combination lock, or similar locking device. This includes the trunk of a motor vehicle, but does not include the utility or glove compartment. For more information, refer to California Penal Code Section 12026.1.

• A person no longer wants to maintain the firearm due to changing personal circumstances in their home or business.
• The firearm belonged to a family member that has died.
• Other reasons.

• The police department does not sell firearms that are surrendered for destruction. These and other firearms are destroyed at least once each year.
• The police department in rare circumstances may appropriate a firearm for its use if it serves a specific law enforcement need and purpose. (For example, it matches the duty firearms used by the department, and it is of sufficient quality.)

• General safety tips prior to surrendering the weapon:
  1. If you know how to unload the firearm safely, remove all bullets from the firearm.
  2. Remove the magazines from semi-automatic handguns and rifles.
  3. Separate the magazines from the firearms.
  4. Place a flex tie or other obstruction to lock open the chamber on a revolver or the slide on a semi-automatic handgun.
  5. Maintain the weapon in a gun rug, box, or other container. (When transporting a handgun in a vehicle, observe State laws.)
• At the police station:
  1. Leave the firearm or weapon in your vehicle.
  2. Do not bring the firearm or weapon into the police station lobby when you first arrive. (This could alarm police personnel if they do not know your reason for entering the station with the firearm.)
  3. Request an officer to meet you as described above.
  4. Advise the officer about
     1. The condition of the firearm or weapon
     2. Whether you know or don't know if it is loaded
     3. Where it is located in the vehicle
  5. Follow the directions of the officer to retrieve the firearm or weapon from your vehicle.
• At a home or business:
  1. Do not bring the firearm to the door when the officer arrives.
  2. Leave the firearm in a safe place where the officer may retrieve it with you.
  3. Advise the officer about
  4. The condition of the firearm or weapon
  5. Whether you know or don't know if it is loaded
  6. Where it is located in your home

• No. This would be a violation of police department policy and of the law.
• Police department policy does not allow officers to make this type of transaction in the course of their duty.
• California law strictly regulates the transfer of firearms between private parties in the State of California. (See these laws on the Attorney General's website.)

You can submit an online request, or call the Engineering Transportation Section at 760-435-5097.

You can submit an online request, or call the Engineering Transportation Section at 760-435-5097.

You can submit an online request, or call the Streetlight Hotline at 760-435-5122.

You can submit an online request, or call the Street Light Hotline at 760-435-4500.

You can submit an online request, or call the Public Works Help Line at 760-435-4500.

To apply for a TOT certificate you will need to register your property with our third-party vendor MUNIRevs and complete the Transient Occupancy Tax Application.

In addition, certain properties may require a short-term rental (STR) permit. After review of your TOT application if your property requires a STR permit you will be assigned the short-term rental permit application. Your TOT application will be placed on hold until the STR permit application is processed.

Please refer to the city’s short-term rental regulations.

For the privilege of occupancy in any hotel in the City of Oceanside, each tourist (transient) is subject to and shall pay a tax in the amount of ten (10) percent of the rent charged by the operator of the hotel (Oceanside City Code Section 34.15).

OTMD is a special benefits district permitted under California Law in order to provide funding for a collective marketing effort to benefit tourism. All short term rentals located within the City of Oceanside pay an assessment of 1.5 percent of their room rental revenue. Effective 7/1/2019 all Hotels/Motels located within the City of Oceanside pay an assessment of 2.5 percent of their room rental revenue.

Persons deemed exempt from paying transient occupancy tax shall be:

• Federal or State officer or employee when on official business
• Any officer or employee of a foreign government who is exempt by reason of express provision of federal law or international treaty

No exemption shall be granted except upon a claim therefore made at the time rent is collected and under penalty of perjury upon a form prescribed by the license administrator.

TOT and OTMD are remitted to the city via the MUNIRevs Online Remittance Portal.

Upon applying for your TOT certificate you will be requested to select a TOT filing cycle. Penalties and interest are automatically assessed based on the filing cycle's due date. Remittance is due on or before the due date. When the due date is a Saturday or Sunday the remittance is due the Friday before the due date. Postmarks will not be accepted.

• Monthly filing cycle: tax return remittance and payment is due on or before the last day of each month following the previous month reporting period.
• Quarterly filing cycle: tax return remittance and payment is due on or before the last day of each month following the close of each calendar quarter reporting period.

Each operator shall collect the tax and OTMD Assessment at the same time as the rent is collected from every transient. The amount of tax and OTMD assessment shall be separately stated from the amount of the rent charged, and each transient shall receive a receipt for payment from the operator.

All taxes and assessment collected by operators shall be held in trust for the account of the City of Oceanside until payment is made to the tax administrator.

• Tax: The tax shall be ten (10) percent of the rent collected.
• OTMD Assessment: The assessment is 1.5 percent of room rental revenue for Short-term rentals. The assessment is 2.5 percent of room rental revenue for Hotels/Motels.
• Transient Occupancy Tax Return: The TOT Return is a reporting of the monthly occupancy rate, gross receipts from occupancy of rooms, taxable transient rents, ten percent penalty (if applicable), interest charge (if applicable), and the total amount of transient occupancy tax and OTMD assessment due.
• Tax Administrator: Financial Services Director

A TOT return is required for each reporting period. If you did not have rental revenue during the reporting period you are required to file a $0 return certifying you had no reportable revenue.

The city entered into voluntary collection agreements with Airbnb and Vrbo. Per the agreements the platform collects and remits taxes to the city on behalf of the operator.

Operators are required to register with the city and remit $0 return for each period in which the operator solely operated through the collection agreement.

Proof of tax remittance to the city by the platform needs to be requested from the platform.

The operator is required to remit taxes for rental revenues outside of the collections agreements.

If you are no longer renting your property for a period of 30 days or less or you have sold your property, you may close your account by contacting our offices at (760) 435-3878 or blinquiry@oceansideca.org. You will be required to remove all rental advertisement and file a final TOT remittance prior to account closure.

Once your account has been closed a new TOT application (and STR permit application, if applicable) will need to be completed to reopen the account.

Your mailing information, emergency contact and property management information can be updated through the online portal.

The City does not allow the installation of “Children at Play” signs in the public right-of-way.

A permit is required for driveway improvements located within the public right-of- way and for driveway relocations. For further questions regarding driveway permits you can call the Engineering Transportation Section at 760-435-5097.

In general, if you have any work that is in the public right-of-way. For further questions regarding the use of a right of way permit and/or traffic control plan you can call Development Services at 760-435-5097.

You can contact the Parking Enforcement Office at 760-435-5195 or 760-435-3890.

If the work involves a lane closure and is located on an arterial street. For further questions and clarification you can call the Engineering Transportation Section at 760-435-5097.

You can submit an online request, or call the Engineering Transportation Section at 760-435-5097.

You can submit an online request, or call the Engineering Transportation Section at 760-435-5097.

You can submit an online request, or call the Engineering Transportation Section at 760-435-5097.

You can submit an online request, or call the Pot Hole Request Line at 760-435-4500.

You can submit an online request, or call the Engineering Transportation Section at 760-435-5097.

You can submit an online request, or call the Engineering Transportation Section at 760-435-5097.

You can submit an online request, or call the Engineering Transportation Section at 760-435-5097.

You can submit an online request, or call the Public Works Help Line at 760-435-4500.

You can submit an online request, or call the Public Works Help Line at 760-435-4500.

You can submit an online request, or call the Streetlight Hotline at 760-435-5122.

You can submit an online request, or call the the Street light Hotline at 760-435-4500.

The City of Oceanside Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program outlines the process for the use and installation of traffic calming devices. To inquire or initiate the process you can submit an Online Request or call the Engineering Transportation Section at 760-435-5097. Requests are logged however the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program is currently suspended due to lack of funding with the exception of radar feedback signs.

• The police department sends unclaimed Property to an auction company or it is destroyed by department policy.
• The proceeds of items sold at auction are deposited into the City’s General Fund.

The current tree pruning cycle is approximately 4 years. City forces provide emergency services only. Programmatic tree pruning is performed by contractors and is entirely dependent upon the annual tree pruning budget provided. Trees ranking as critical or high priority are scheduled for service first. Trees may be pruned more frequently depending on the species and growth rate of the tree.

Grid Pruning Schedule

The City of Oceanside does not prune trees by request. Please refer to the Grid Pruning Schedule for the most current pruning schedule. Please note that the schedule is subject to change. Trees are pruned out of cycle only if the tree is impacting private property (building clearance), the right-of-way (road and sidewalk clearance, sign clearance), or if the tree has other issues in need of correction.

Yes, the City adheres to the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Pruning Guidelines and the American National Standard Institute's Pruning Standards (ANSI 300).

To report an emergency tree problem or tree problems that occur after hours or during storms, contact Customer Care at 760-435-4500.

Public Works maintains emergency response crews to clear public rights-of-way and secure the area(s) until the following work day. However, tree emergencies involving private trees are the property owner’s responsibility unless the tree is part of a Landscape Maintenance District.

When calling, be sure to have the following information available for the call dispatcher:

• Address where tree is located/ nearest cross street
• Approximate location of tree/limb (parkway, median, front of address, rear of address, side of address, etc.)
• Name and Telephone number
• Estimated size, length, and diameter of tree at issue
• Is the tree blocking a sidewalk or roadway?
• If there is a broken limb, is it still attached to the tree?

No. While all trees provide a benefit to the community, there can occasionally be a cost associated with the benefit. The cost may be leaf litter, fruit or pod droppings, or root issues. These are not sufficient reasons to remove a street tree.

Yes. However, a permit is necessary and the tree must be an approved street tree species.

The City's Policy 400-02, Removal of Publicly Owned Trees, outlines the criteria for removal of a City tree. If your tree does meet those criteria, it will be scheduled for removal. If your tree does not meet those criteria, it may not be removed. Please refer to the City's Policy 400-02, Removal of Publicly Owned Trees for further information.

Rights of way adjacent to private property are usually maintained by the private property owner. For more information, contact the Code Enforcement Division.

U-Plan refers to a Utility Plan. This is a development plan that includes drawings and information for the placement of a proposed utility such as fiber optic, electrical, gas, and other types of conduit. U-Plans are reviewed by Engineering and Water Utilities to check for potential conflicts with existing infrastructure in the City's Right-Of-Way.

ALL proposed utilities or utility work in the City’s Right-Of-Way that are NOT simply maintenance must go through the U-Plan review process.

Times when a U-Plan review is necessary:

• All new utilities, conduit, lines must go through U-Plan review.
• If an existing conduit/utility line is replaced with a different type of conduit or different size.
• If an existing conduit/utility line is moved and placed elsewhere in the ROW.

Currently, a U-Plan review may take up to 30 days. Both Engineering and Water Utilities need time to review the proposed plan for conflicts and other requirements.

It is important to note that U-Plans may need to be reviewed more than once to ensure compliance with jurisdictional requirements.

A non-refundable flat fee equivalent to the Improvement Plan Plan Check Fee listed on the Engineering Fee Schedule is charged for U-Plan review. 

This flat fee is only for the U-Plan review and does not include the fee(s) for the Right-Of-Way permit or application.

A U-Plan must be reviewed by Engineering and Water Utilities and approved by both departments before applicants may apply for or receive a ROW permit.

The review and approval of a U-Plan is tied to the Right-Of-Way (ROW) permit that is approved and issued for the same project. The approval of the U-Plan is active for the duration of the ROW permit. If the ROW permit should expire, then U-Plan must be resubmitted for review and approval before another ROW permit can be issued.

You are no longer restricted to the two (2) day a week watering schedule. You can water any day of the week but you still must adhere to irrigating between the hours of 6:00 pm and 10:00 am.

Yes, it's still very important for Californians statewide to use water wisely - especially outdoors. Californians are urged to continue conserving water and to make permanent changes to their water use to ensure long-term water efficiency statewide. Conservation is part of the California lifestyle.

No, the drought is not over. While El Nino storms in January and early March boosted storage in key Northern California reservoirs and improved drought conditions in some places, the drought is not over. Some areas of the state still have water supply challenges, and it's possible that extreme dry conditions could return next year.

The Colorado River water transfers and the Carlsbad Desalination Project will help current and future droughts, but the need for conservation will continue. Conservation is more than just a number—it's a way of life.

Local water suppliers are required to use a state-specified formula for determining what conservation measures are necessary for their customers. Water suppliers must evaluate their local water supply assuming three additional dry years and customer demands based on 2013 and 2014 averages. Self-certification data and supporting documentations will be sent to the State Water Board, which will make all self-certification data and supporting documents available to the public and the media on its website. Monthly data on water use will continue to be submitted and posted online as well.

Free Water Use Evaluation - A water efficiency professional will visit your property and conduct a comprehensive survey to help you identify ways to save water both in and outside the home. More information at WaterSmartCheckup.org.

Metropolitan Water District and SDG&E offer a variety of rebates for investing in water-saving appliances and irrigation products. These include high efficiency clothes washers, low-flow toilets, irrigation controllers, rain barrels, soil moisture sensors, and more. For more information visit socalwatersmart.com or sdge.com/rebates.

WaterSmart Software - This free program is a great way to manage water use, apply for available rebates, and so much more. Setting up an account is fast, easy, and free. To learn more, visit the City of Oceanside's WaterSmart webpage or simply click on the box to the right and we'll take you there.

Call Customer Care at (760) 435-4500 or submit a Stormwater Pollution request on My Oceanside Online Service Request Portal

Call Customer Care at (760) 435-4500 or submit a Stormwater Pollution request on My Oceanside Online Service Request Portal.

Please contact the City of Oceanside at (760) 435-3900.

Call Customer Care at (760) 435-4500 or submit a Stormwater Pollution request on My Oceanside Online Service Request Portal.

Please contact the City of Oceanside at (760) 435-3900.

Please see our Green Oceanside Events page for upcoming event information and our Beach/Park Cleanup Special Event Permits page. 

Please contact the City of Oceanside at (760) 435-3900.

Please contact the City of Oceanside at (760) 435-3900.

Please contact the City of Oceanside Customer Care at (760) 435-4500.

Please see the Oceanside Charity Car Wash Guidelines for more information.

Please contact the City of Oceanside at (760) 435-3900.

Obtain the Construction Meter form online or from the Water Utilities Administration Office. Fill out the form and submit to the Water Utilities Department at City Hall at 300 N. Coast Hwy. It usually takes 24 hours to have a construction meter placed after payment is received.

For more information, please see our Design and Construction Manual.

Please call the City’s Environmental Compliance Inspector at 760-435-5899.

Please visit the Program & Rebates page on our website to view the latest information on available programs.

For additional information on water conservation, please see our Save Water section of our website, or contact City of Oceanside Water Utilities Department at (760) 435-5800.

Visit Home | MWD Portal (waterefficiencysurvey.com) for more information on commercial and residential water use surveys.

Call Customer Care at (760) 435-4500 or complete a request on My Oceanside Online Service Request Portal.

This site helps you understand how you use water and offers customized recommendations for the most effective ways to save water. For example, if you use a lot of water outdoors, you will see watering tips and suggestions about plant choices.

Your water usage data, specifically your meter readings, comes directly from your water utility account. We add in publicly available information, like weather data, to build a better picture about your home's circumstances and water needs. Lastly, you can add in details about your home, by updating your Household Profile, to get better recommendations.

The Household Profile is a set of questions that you can answer to describe your household's unique characteristics and water needs. Answering the questions in the Household Profile allows you to compare your use to other households with similar characteristics. It also helps us more accurately estimate how much water you use in different parts of the house.

If you tell us the number of people living in your home and the age of your showerheads, for example, we can estimate how much water you use in your shower and how much you might save by upgrading to a more efficient model.

To update your Household Profile, click on the "Track" tab and scroll to the bottom of the page. Then click on the "Update profile to improve estimates" button.

GPD stands for Gallons Per Day. Your water use is presented in the number of gallons used per day because it’s typically the easiest unit for people to envision and provides the best metric for comparison. Other common but less easily understood measures of water consumption are Gallons Per Capita Per Day (GPCD), Units or CCF (both equal to 748 gallons).

To put your water use in context, we show you the amount of water used by 'Average Households' and 'Top 20%'. Since a large family living in a house with a large landscaped yard will nearly always use more water than a single person living in small apartment or condominium, we compare you to similar-sized homes in your community with roughly the same number of occupants.

Answering the questions in your Household Profile helps us match you up with other households most like yours.

With the exception of aggregate water usage, which is taken directly from readings of your water meter, most of the charts and savings estimates are simply that – estimates. Without a thorough analysis and site audit, it is nearly impossible to accurately estimate how much water is used in each area of your home—but we get pretty close!

We use the data you have provided in your Household Profile, along with past usage data and industry studies of water use to derive the charts and water-saving recommendations on our site. Use these estimates to identify the top uses of water in your home and the changes you can make that will have the biggest impact on your water use.

Based on the information in your Household Profile and other data sources, we estimate how much water you use today in various areas of your home. For many water-saving actions, we’ve established a savings formula that allows us to then forecast your potential gallons per day and annual dollar savings.

Simply complete your Household Profile and you’ll give the recommendation engine all it needs to produce improved suggestions.

The Take Action tab has two main options. The Recommended Actions page will have a list of recommended actions that you can take to use water more efficiently based on your household profile. My Actions keeps track of the water-saving actions you’d like to implement. With the goal of making it as easy as possible for you to complete water-saving actions, you’ll find lists for your “started” and “saved” actions. We may send you reminders or helpful hints if you need extra help. Your “completed” actions list helps you quickly see the changes you’ve made and how they’ve reduced your water use.

Please use the “Email Us” button on the bottom left of the page to send us your question, or the "Contact Us" tab on the left side of the screen. We look forward to hearing from you!

Please contact Customer Service at the City of Oceanside at (760) 435-4500 or WaterSmart@oceansideca.org.

Contact the Zero Waste Team at (760) 435-4500 or greenoceanside@oceansideca.org.

Oceanside residents are able to schedule a pickup of 5 items, 5 times a year. Contact Waste Management at (760) 439-2824 or cssandiego@wm.com. For more information, see the Donation & Landfill Curbside Pickups page.

Contact Waste Management at (760) 439-2824 or cssandiego@wm.com. For more information, see the Household Hazardous Waste page.

Oceanside residents are able to schedule a pickup of 5 items, 5 times a year. Contact Waste Management at (760) 439-2824 or cssandiego@wm.com. For more information, see the Electronic Waste page.

Contact Waste Management at (760) 439-2824 or cssandiego@wm.com.

Contact Waste Management at (760) 439-2824 or cssandiego@wm.com.

Waste Management customers can search their collection day using the link provided below. Simply enter your service address or customer ID and click verify. The services will be shown, and as you scroll down, you will find information on your pick-up schedule. 

Waste Management- Pickup Schedule

If your incident is an emergency, call 9-1-1. If non-emergency call 760-435-4900.

No, If a crime took place outside of the City of Oceanside please call the police department for that city.

If this took place on SR78 or I-5, please call the Highway Patrol Office nearest you. chp.ca.gov