Living Neighborly: Do's & Dont's to Remember

Being a good neighbor and keeping our neighborhoods clean are goals, which all Inglewood residents should strive to achieve. Whether it's providing a helping hand on some household project or serving as the vital link in a neighborhood watch program, the value of having residents who are cooperative and respectful of each others rights can never be underestimated.

While most people recognize the value of being a good neighbor, there are a number of neighborly practices, which everyone should keep in mind. The following list of" Do's and Dont's" highlights some of the essential building blocks necessary for a clean, healthy, and tranquil neighborhood.

Do's

• Help maintain the appearance of your neighborhood by parking either on the street or in your driveway.
• Remove empty trash cans and any remaining debris from the curb within 12 hours after your trash has been picked up. Leaving trashcans at the curbside for an extended period creates an impression of an untidy neighborhood and also contributes to health and sanitation problems by attracting flies and other pests.
• Perform minor repairs and maintenance work including oil and tire changes, brake inspections, or fluid checks in your driveway or backyard. Doing this avoids creating a hazardous situation, which could endanger your life as well as the safety of motorists, who are properly using the roadways.
• Enjoy your radio, television, or music component set, but not at the expense and irritation of others. You should be aware that the City of Inglewood like many other metropolitan cities has various noise regulations designed to restrict excessive levels of noise. Violation of these noise regulations constitutes a misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment.
• Keep your lawn, trees, and shrubbery well watered and neatly trimmed. Since the appearance of our homes and lawns speaks to the pride of ownership in the Inglewood community, diligent property maintenance of lawns and associated landscaping will increase property values as you do your part to beautify our community.
• Obtain a license for your dog and always walk him or her with a leash. A dog whose turf includes every yard on the block can quickly upset the tranquility of a neighborhood. Remember that being a good neighbor includes being a responsible pet owner.
• File an application for a permit to keep or raise these animals before housing them on your property. The permit procedure insures that these animals are kept in a sanitary and humane manner. Applications may be obtained from the City Finance Department.
• Comply with City zoning regulations, which require that garages are used only for the purpose of providing shelter, and parking for vehicles owned or operated by occupants of the main building.

Dont's

• Don't park cars on your front lawn. Aside from giving your home and neighborhood an unsightly appearance, lawn parking is a violation of section 12-15 of the Inglewood municipal code (IMC) and can result in the issuance of a citation to the owner of the vehicle.
• Don't leave trash cans at the curb after your trash is picked up. (IMC Section 7-19 (4)).
• Don't perform maintenance work or make repairs on vehicles parked upon public streets or alleys. (IMC Section 10-18).
• Don't play loud music or make loud noises, which disturbs the peace and quiet of your neighbors.this includes playing radios loudly while operating cars, vans, or SUVs. (IMC Section 5-29).
• Don't allow overgrown vegetation rubbish to accumulate in your yard. This situation creates an unsightly appearance for your home as well as your neighborhood. It also can result in a fire hazard if the vegetation dries out, as is often the case during summer months. (IMC Section 11-70 (1-4, 15) and 7-18).
• Don't house an unlicensed dog or allow that animal to roam the neighborhood unleashed. (IMC Section 4-18).
• Don't raise or keep chickens, rabbits, pigeons, ducks, goats, or any other fowl or live stock on your property without first obtaining a valid permit form the city. (IMC Section 4-16).
• Don't use your garage as additional space either for yourself or for others. This is unsafe, unhealthy, and unattractive. (IMC Section 12-40.1).

Get to Know the Neighborhood

Getting to know the people in your neighborhood is essential to developing a cohesive neighborhood and can be fun as well. One of the best ways to develop an effective system for neighborhood communications is through participation in a Neighborhood Block Club. Block Clubs provide a means for residents of the area to get together and discuss neighborhood concerns. They also provide a forum for dialogue between City officials and local residents.

Block Clubs

While there are over 250 active Block Clubs throughout the city, it's possible that your block may not yet be organized. If that's the case, the City can assist you in starting your own neighborhood block club. Information for forming a block club can be obtained by calling the Police Department's Community Services Division at 310-412-5530.

Additional Information

This list of do's and don'ts, together with cooperation and a little common sense form the basic ingredients for a happy and healthy neighborhood. If you have any questions regarding the "Living Neighborly" reminders listed above, contact the City's Code Enforcement Section at 310-412-5590