The city’s Neighborhood and Business Safety Division outlined its code enforcement operations during the Public Safety Commission’s meeting Monday, providing an in-depth overview of its responsibilities and impact on the community. Neighborhood and Business Safety Manager Vito Adamitis, joined by Code Enforcement Supervisors Yessica Benitez and Albert Torres, presented the division’s role in upholding municipal and state laws, excluding the penal code.
“Our officers are non-sworn, but they are trained in arrest and control techniques and are certified by the California Code Enforcement Officers organization,” Adamitis said. The certification requires ongoing training and education to maintain high standards.
The division operates seven days a week, handling issues such as noise ordinance violations, illegal construction, and property maintenance. It also manages business licensing, permitting, and the city’s contract with LA County Animal Care and Control. In addition, it oversees 34 types of business licenses, including public eating places, entertainment venues, and cannabis businesses, and issues permits for extended-hour construction and special events.
Adamitis shared that the team consists of 15 members, including 12 officers, a code enforcement specialist, and an administrative specialist. Enforcement coverage extends beyond regular office hours to accommodate community needs, with residents able to reach the division through a 24/7 contact number, email, or the city’s app.
From January through November, the division received nearly 7,000 calls for service, reflecting its significant workload. Commissioners praised the team’s dedication and highlighted the importance of its services.
“West Hollywood residents are fortunate to have such an excellent code enforcement division,” Commissioner Brandon Blau said. “It’s one of the city’s biggest assets.”
The discussion also addressed recurring issues, such as construction-related parking violations and noise during non-permitted hours. Commissioner George Nickel emphasized the importance of enforcing construction management plans, which require projects to arrange designated parking and adhere to city regulations.
“Residents should report any improper signage or barriers reserving parking spaces,” Adamitis said, encouraging the community to collaborate with code enforcement.
The commission voiced concerns about the impact of ongoing construction on residents’ quality of life, noting repeated infractions and lapses in compliance when construction teams change. Torres explained that all projects must sign a construction management plan and post site rules, but acknowledged challenges in maintaining compliance when teams transition.
“Education is key, but it’s an ongoing challenge,” Adamitis said. “We’ll continue working to ensure teams are informed and held accountable.”
Chair Adam Eramian commended the division’s efforts, particularly during major events like Halloween and Pride, recognizing the challenges of balancing the needs of businesses and residents. “Your work is for the greater good of the city,” Eramian said. “We appreciate everything you do.”
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are amazing!
This is satire, right? Code Enforcement should, you would think, enforce codes. 8282 Sunset Blvd has illegally used their parking lot for the Sunset Tower parking for YEARS. I have made DOZENS of complaints over the years, with exactly ONE response, which was unbelievably “this is an ongoing and continuing investigation and we cannot disclose any other information”. Good job! FIRE THEM ALL.
What business is located at 8282 Sunset? Are you sure they don’t have a contract in place to use those spaces?
That’s about 1000 calls a month. The number of officers needs to be massively increased. There is zero code enforcement for most of these 7000 (personal experience). They just don’t show up.
I think there are 12 months in a year, not 7. That makes for 670 calls in a month, or 22 calls each day (about 1 each hour).
That said, I think the volume of calls would rise to 1,000 a month – or more – if people what constitutes a code violation, and how to go about reporting one.
That is baloney. Code enforcement? Gas powered leaf blowers are supposedly illegal in the city, and yet look how many of them make a huge racket every morning in this city. Don’t have laws that are unenforceable, it just creates a mockery of the law and it’s a joke.
They are now illegal in the entire state Jan. 1, 2024. Sale ban July ’24. Yet they are EVERYWHERE. They actually cause more pollution than trucks, not to mention the dust micro particles.
Fix bayonets!
I wish they would do a better job of enforcing the code when it comes to sound from the clubs spilling into the surrounding neighborhoods.
They are constantly alerted, don’t show up.
Good luck! The response I got from the deputy I flagged down with a noise complaint at 3 am (they won’t respond if you call), “You know how much money this place puts into the city coffers?”
GOOD JOB! Fire them all.