BEL-AIR ASSOCIATION
Good Neighbor Construction Site Practices
Introduction
The following statements are part of the Bel-Air Association’s Good Neighbor Construction Site Package which contains pertinent Los Angeles Municipal Code Regulations and Notice Requirements, the suggested practices promoting a good neighbor policy, a Courtesy Notice Letter for Neighbors, and the City of Los Angeles contacts.
The Bel-Air Association strongly encourages, respect for one’s neighbors and the community as a whole. The Bel-Air Association’s Good Neighbor Construction Site Package is meant to promote this feeling.
First and Foremost: Communication between Neighbors
We feel that open communication between neighbors is the quickest and best path to resolutions of most problems. Many residents get the best results and cultivate longstanding friendships by simply talking with neighbors about their concerns.
The Los Angeles Municipal Code
And
Bel-Air Association
Good Neighbor Construction Site Practices
Introduction
The contents of this packet is provided as a courtesy to our residents in the hope of fostering better neighborhood relations and a thoughtful community as a whole and the "Good Neighbor Suggestions" shown below are voluntary practices not intended to create any legal liability whatsoever.
Each heading presents the law as it is currently stated in the Los Angeles Municipal Code with a citation to the code and the telephone numbers of those city departments involved with enforcement of the regulation. The good neighbor suggestions follow.
1. Hours of Construction
A brief summary of the law says: Construction Hours
Construction may not occur between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays, or before 8:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays or Legal Holidays. No construction work shall be done on Sundays. Some of these restrictions do not apply to emergency work or work performed by an owner of the property.
Los Angeles Municipal Code Article I, Section 41.40 (c)
Good Neighbor Suggestions:
If your neighbor would like specific information about construction for specific day or days, such as your intention to have work done on Saturdays, it is a good policy to let them know and adhere to the limited hours allowed in the City Code. No Sunday construction, except as permitted by the City Code.
2. Sweep and Clean
A brief summary of the law says: Material Deposited in the Public Street
Public Streets adjacent to construction sites must be left in as good a condition as the same was prior to the placing of material or collection of debris thereon, swept and free of construction debris. Los Angeles Municipal Code Article 2, Section 62.49 (a)No person shall store or keep upon any street any material or debris taken from any excavation or building, or fail to remove the same from day to day as it is produced or to wet any dry debris or rubbish, so as to prevent the same from being blown by the wind, whether in the course of removal from any building or excavation, or on any street.
Los Angeles Municipal Code Article 2, Section 62.54
Good Neighbor Suggestions:
As a good neighbor, public areas next to construction should to be kept clean, broom swept and all trash removed on a daily basis or otherwise handled to prevent materials from being blown in the wind.
3. Dumpsters and other Equipment Storage on Public Street
The law says: Permits Requirements for Equipment on a Public Streets
No construction site material including dumpsters, fences, protection canopies, building material or debris of any building or excavation site or equipment intended for use in connection with any construction on the adjacent private property shall be deposited or maintained on a public street without a permit. Said permit shall be issued by the Department of Public Works, Bureau of Street Services, Investigations and Enforcement Division and shall conform with all applicable rules.
Los Angeles Municipal Code Article 2, Sections 62.45 (b)and 62.49 (a)
The law says: Permit to be Exhibited
No person shall fail to keep the permit granted for maintaining any protection fence,protection canopy, equipment, building material or debris at all times at the place where such work is being done: nor fail, upon demand therefore, to exhibit such permit to any member or inspector of the Board, or any public officer.
Los Angeles Municipal Code Article 2, Sections 62.53
The law says: Permit Duration
Every permit granted by the Board of Public Works under Section 62.45 of the municipal code shall become and be void within sixty (60) days from the date issued. The Board may extend the time of the permit for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days.
Los Angeles Municipal Code Article 2, Sections62.55.
The law says: Dumpster Illumination
No person shall maintain building material of any kind, any debris or any other kindof material or equipment on any street, without placing and maintaining a warning light at the end of each pile of such material or debris and at each end of suchequipment during the whole of each night from sunset until sunrise of the following day. Such warning lights shall be so located that they are clearly visible to approaching traffic for permit and inspection.
Los Angeles Municipal Code Article 2, Section 62
To report violations:
Call the City of Los Angeles at 311 or (800) 996-2489. Be sure to obtain a confirmation number. Or alternatively, call the Bureau of Street Services, Street Use - Westside (310) 575-8138
Good Neighbor Suggestions:
All construction related material, including dumpsters, stored on a public street, have to have a permit issued by the city, be illuminated at night or have light reflecting signs on the container, and should be removed within five days after completion of the job.
4. Construction Noise
A brief summary of the law says: Noise
Construction noise should be kept to a minimum with consideration of the surrounding neighbors. Unnecessary noise such as music should be kept below legal levels. Subject to certain exceptions for owner performed work and emergencies, no one can perform any construction, repair work or delivery of materials of any kind which makes loud noises disturbing the neighbors before 7:00 a.m. and after 9:00 p.m on weekdays and before 8:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m on Saturdays.
Los Angeles Municipal Code Article I, Section 41.40 (c)
Good Neighbor Suggestions:
Noise as a result of work on a construction site including use of power tools, and equipment, as well as job site delivery of materials is not allowed between
9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Monday through Friday and not before 8:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m on Saturday. No such noise is allowed on Sunday. Some exceptions apply to owner performed work and emergencies. Unnecessary noise such as music must be kept below legal levels.
5. Site Parking
A brief summary of the law says: Unrestricted Parking Prohibited Where It Causes a Hazard
Parking in areas not otherwise restricted that causes or would necessarily cause traffic congestion, a hazard to the public or deprive the public of the efficient use of the curb is prohibited. The Department of Transportation is authorized to install signs limiting or prohibiting such parking and ticketing or removing vehicles standing in violation.
Los Angeles Municipal Code Division N (Traffic) Section 80.69
For enforcement, call the City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation:
Parking Enforcement Dispatch at (213) 485-4184, prompt #2. Be sure to have the address of the violation available to give to the operator.
Good Neighbor Suggestions:
Parking that impedes traffic is one of the most annoying aspects of construction site work. Considering the needs and safety of your neighbors and the pedestrians using the street is paramount. Construction related vehicles should park on site when possible. This is especially important in Bel-Air since our streets are narrow and winding and lack sidewalks.
6. Flag Persons
A brief summary of the law says: Flagger control
Flaggers are required:
1. Where workers or equipment intermittently block a traffic lane.
2. Where plans or permits allow the use of one lane for two directions of traffic; two flaggers are required, one for each direction of traffic.
3. Where the safety of the public and or workers determines there is a need.
4. When signs and barricades alone cannot effectively control the traffic.
Work Area Traffic Control Book 2006 10TH Edition WATCH: Section 10
To report violations:
Call the City of Los Angeles at 311 or (800) 996-2489.
Be sure to obtain a confirmation number.
If the situation is urgent and the street is dangerously blocked to traffic, call Street Use at (213) 847-6000. They will notify the inspector for the area to do a quick field investigation and necessary enforcement.
Bureau of Stree Services, Street Use section Westside (310) 575-8490
Department of Transportation information (213) 580-1177, prompt #5 or 0 for operator.
Department of Transportation coordinator John Sam (213) 928-9624
Good Neighbor Suggestions:
If construction site delivery trucks and other vehicles impede traffic, consider using 2 flag persons to help traffic move safely through the blocked stretch of road with one flag person on each end of the obstructed street area.
7. Trash Pick Up
A brief summary of the law says: Unrestricted Parking Prohibited Where It Causes a Hazard
Parking in areas not otherwise restricted that causes or would necessarily cause traffic congesion, a hazard to the public or deprive the public of the efficient use of the curb is prohibited. The Department of Transportation is authorized to install signs limiting or prohibiting such parking and ticketing or removing vehicles standing in violation.
Los Angeles Municipal Code Divison N (Traffic) Section 80.69 (5)
Good Neighbor Suggestions:
Generally, Wednesday is garbage pick up day in West Los Angeles. Care should be taken to minimize any interference with trash pick up by the Bureau of Sanitation.
To report violations:
Call the City of Los Angeles at 311 or (800) 996-2489
Street Uses for Information -Westside (310) 575-8138
8. Portable Toilets
Good Neighbor Suggestions:
Although there is no specific provision of the City Code that applies to the placement of portable toilets, where reasonably possible, bathroom and/or temporary facility should be shielded and/or located so as not be visible from the street or adjacent properties. These facilities should be removed as soon as the project is complete.
9. Construction Site Posted Notice:
The law says: Construction Site Notice
The "construction site notice" shall be on a form provided by the Department of Building and Safety and shall include the following information: job site address, permit number, name and phone number of the contractor and owner or owner’s agent, hours of construction allowed by code, and city telephone numbers where violations can be reported. The applicant shall post at the construction site, a "construction site notice" for the following type of permits:
Permit for additions to existing buildings,
Permit for new structures, except signs,
Change of use or occupancy permit,
Demolition permit,
Relocation permit,
Swimming pool permit, or
Grading permit
The Los Angeles Municipal Code Article 1 Section 91.106.4.8
The law says: Location
The "construction site notice" shall be posted and maintained at the construction site and displayed in a location that is readily viewable to the public and approved by the Department of Building and Safety.
Los Angeles Municipal Code Article I, Section 91.106.4.8.1.
The law says: Maintenance of Information
The "construction site notice" shall be displayed after issuance of the permit, prior to the start of construction, and continuously during the process of construction until all the work authorized by the building permit is inspected and approved by the Department of Building and Safety. All contact information on the construction site notice, including phone numbers, shall be correct and maintained current. Failure to display the "construction site notice" may result in withholding of inspections by the Department of Building and Safety.
Los Angeles Municipal Code Article I, Section 91.106.4.8.2.
For more information, please refer to the City of Los Angeles website at www.lacity.org
