Newark, CA
Home MenuCommunity Preservation (Code Enforcement)
The City of Newark Community Preservation Division operates under the Community Development Department. The Community Preservation Division is comprised of two full-time Community Preservation Specialists who are responsible for enforcing the provisions of the Newark Municipal Code and various other related codes and policies. To meet this obligation we obtain compliance through intervention, education, and enforcement. We strive to partner with the Community in enforcing neighborhood property maintenance standards, as it is our goal to help maintain property values and create a healthy, aesthetically pleasing Community in which to live, work, and play.
TOBACCO RETAIL LICENSE
On October 24, 2024, the Newark City Council adopted Ordinance No. 552, a Tobacco Retailer License (TRL) ordinance that must be followed by all tobacco retailers in the City starting March 1, 2025. The Tobacco Retailer License Ordinance will (1) require every tobacco retailer in the City of Newark to obtain and maintain a valid City tobacco retailer license and (2) require all Newark tobacco retailers to follow new requirements on the sale of tobacco products. Ordinance No. 552 establishes the following tobacco retail requirements, which all tobacco retailers in the City of Newark must comply with starting March 1, 2025:
- The sale of all flavored tobacco products is prohibited, with no exceptions.
- The sale of Cigar Products (including, but not limited to, cigars, cigarillos, little cigars, blunts, blunt wraps, and cigar wraps) is prohibited in package sizes less than five (5) and priced under eight dollars ($8), including all applicable taxes and fees. Single cigars may be sold only if priced above five dollars ($5), including all applicable taxes and fees.
- The honoring or redemption of tobacco product discounts and coupons is prohibited.
- The sale of tobacco products in pharmacies is prohibited.
- TRLs will not be issued to new tobacco retailers located within 1,000 feet of youth-sensitive locations (public parks, child day care facilities, or schools) or 1,000 feet of existing tobacco retailers.
Please note that this list is not comprehensive. To review the city's comprehensive tobacco retail licensing requirements, please refer to Chapter 5.42 of the Newark Municipal Code.
Click here to apply for a Tobacco Retail License.
Click here to read the Notice for Retailers.
Click here for the Newark TRL Frequently Asked Questions.
For questions, contact Oscar Carrillo, Community Preservation Manager, at 510-578-4242 or oscar.carrillo@newark.org.
COMMON MUNICIPAL CODE VIOLATIONS
Exterior Storage
Per the Newark Municipal Code (Newark Municipal Code) no portion of any required front yard or required street side yard shall be used for the parking, storage, construction, repair, maintenance or accumulation of vehicles, equipment, lumber, building materials, appliances, household goods, furniture, discarded items, trash, garbage, garbage receptacles, debris, trimmings from lawns, shrubbery or trees or any other objects not customarily and directly related to landscape treatment. In addition to detracting from the aesthetics of the neighborhood, this type of storage can be an attractive nuisance to children and may become a home to rodents and other vermin.
For information on how to dispose of large bulky items, contact Republic Services at (510) 657-1350..
Excessive and Uncontainerized Garbage
Chapter 8.08.050 of the Newark Municipal Code states that it is unlawful for the owner, tenant, lessee or occupant of any property within the City to maintain, or cause, or permit to be maintained thereon, any deposit, collection or accumulation of any animal, mineral or vegetable matter, refuse or substance offensive, injurious or dangerous to health. An accumulation is not only a violation, but it creates unpleasant odor and is a health hazard as it may attract flies, rodents, and other vermin.
The City of Newark contracts with www.RepublicServicesAC.com. for garbage and recycling services. Please contact Republic Services of Alameda County at (510) 657-1350.
Dry and Overgrown Weeds
Dry and overgrown weeds are a nuisance and safety hazard. In addition to creating visual blight, dry weeds create a hazardous condition increasing the risk of fire and create a habitat for rodents. Overgrown, seed bearing weeds spread weed seed through the air causing the proliferation of weeds throughout the neighborhood. Residents should regularly mow lawns and implement effective weed control by appropriate use of weed pre-emergent in other yard areas, to reduce the weed growth on both their property and other homes in the neighborhood.
Sign Violations
Temporary signs can be an integral component to the business community attracting customers to their stores. There are however, regulations in the Newark Municipal Code that regulate temporary advertising signs as it relates to type and duration of display. The City allows businesses to display a “Grand Opening” sign for no more than 30-days for the date the business begins operation. Temporary sales promotional window signs are also permitted. "Temporary" means less than thirty-one days, and "sales and promotional" means advertising certain items as featured for sale.
Inoperable Vehicles
Maintenance of inoperable vehicles on private property is prohibited.
Towing of inoperable vehicles is handled by the City of Newark Police Department. For information on vehicle towing, click here.
Unpermitted Construction
All new construction and alterations to existing structures require a building permit.
Unpermitted Uses
Any land use not specifically listed as permitted, is prohibited. Failure of any responsible parties (property owner, business owner, tenant, etc.) to comply with the Newark Municipal Code may result in administrative citations, criminal prosecution, civil lawsuit, public nuisance abatement, receivership, the clouding of title, or other legal action.
CODE ENFORCEMENT HANDOUTS FOR THE COMMUNITY
- Unpermitted Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) - Code Enforcement Information Sheet
- Auto Repair Residential District
- California Tenants - Renter's Guide - Rights & Responsibilities
- Camping Handout
- Commercial Property Awareness
- Damaged Structure Instructions
- No Trespassing & Signage Information
- Property Owner's Responsibility for Private Property
- Residential Property Awareness
- Substandard Housing Conditions Complaint
- Unpermitted Construction
ADMINISTRATIVE CITATION APPEAL
If you have received an administrative citation, you may appeal the determination that you violated a City ordinance, the penalty imposed, or both.
If you wish to appeal the citation, please download the Appeal of Administrative Citation Form (PDF) and submit it to the City Clerk’s office within the deadlines described on the form.
If you wish to request a waiver of the advance deposit that is normally required to file an appeal, please download the Request for Advance Deposit Hardship Waiver (PDF) and submit to the City Clerk’s office within the deadlines described on the form.
Please follow the directions on the form for the next steps and deadlines. If you have any questions about filing an administrative appeal, please contact the City Clerk’s Office via telephone at (510) 578-4278 or email city.clerk@newark.org.
If a contestant of an Administrative Citation is not satisfied with the Hearing Officer’s decision, the contestant may file a Notice of Appeal with the Alameda County Superior Court. Please download the Notice of Appeal of Decision of Hearing Officer (PDF) and file with the Court within the deadlines described on the form.
If you have any questions, please contact the Community Preservation Division at compres@newark.org or (510) 578-4330.
Complaints / Report a Violation
If you have a complaint and would like to report a violation, please complete the CODE ENFORCEMENT COMPLAINT/REPORT A VIOLATION survey below.
Questions noted with "*" are required fields. Your personal contact information will not be disclosed to anyone and will be kept confidential to the fullest extent allowed by law.
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