Q: How do I get a copy of an accident or crime report?
A: Copies of some reports may be released by the Burbank Police Department Record Bureau, which has a public counter located in the Police lobby of the Police/Fire Headquarters Facility. Reports will take anywhere from 24-48 hours, from the time they are filed, to process and become available for release. The base fee for a traffic report is $15 and $5 for a crime report. Additional fees may apply depending on the type and complexity of the report, and whether or not photographs are included. Reports are not public property, and they will only be released to those individuals with a right to have them.
For people who have suffered a financial loss in a reported incident, it is usually possible to obtain a “Certificate of Loss” to satisfy insurance company needs. If a report cannot be released, the base report fee is still applicable.
Public Information vs. Right to Privacy
Related Fees (civil subpoenas, witness fees, report fees, impound fees and statistical information fees, etc)
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Q: How do I obtain an Alarm Permit?
A: Alarm Permits can be purchased at the Police Department's Traffic Bureau, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by calling 1-818 238-3226 to request an application by mail. Commercial and residential applications are handled in the same manner. (Applications are not available on-line).
The permit fee is $25.00 and may be paid by cash, check, or money order. Credit card payment is not accepted by the City for this fee.
The $25.00 fee allows the permit holder 2 false alarms in a calendar year (January 1 to December 31). A third false alarm will result in a $75.00 administrative fee, and a $100.00 fee for each subsequent false alarm in a calendar year. Permit holders will be notified by mail in January that a renewal fee of $25.00 is due in the alarm office prior to April 1. Additional fees apply if payment is not received prior to the April 1 deadline.
If the permit location has had no more than 2 false alarms in the previous calendar year, the permit renewal fee will be waived. The permit holder will receive mail notification of the fee exemption.
Permit holders will be notified by mail of any applicable or delinquent fees . A police response to alarm activations will be declined if fees are delinquent and the permit holder has not replied to payment notifications. Download Alarm Permit Form |
Q: How do I report an abandoned vehicle?
A: Citizens wishing to file a complaint regarding a vehicle in violation of the 72-hour law (“abandoned vehicles”) can call 1-818-238-3107, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. You will be prompted by a recorded message requesting the following information:
- License plate number
- Color
- Make/model
- Vehicle location (address)
You are NOT required to leave your name and number. Any personal information left in regards to complaints is completely confidential.
Only one call is needed to assure your complaint is filed. |
Q: How do I contest a parking citation?
A: The California Vehicle Code sets forth uniform procedures for contesting a parking citation issued by this agency. These procedures include several time periods that must be carefully adhered to. In order to contest a citation, the “Request from Issuing Agency Review” form must be received by the Burbank Police Department within twenty-one (21) days of the citation issuance, or within fourteen (14) days of the postmark of a delinquent citation notice you have received. All periods are expressed in calendar days.
Failure to comply with all stated time requirements will result in a waiver of your right to contest the citation. All correspondence will be sent to the address you provide on the reverse side of the protest form. Any delays in your receiving these communications will NOT result in extensions of time periods, except as otherwise provided by law. It is your responsibility to provide a proper mailing address and zip code for personal notification of our findings. We will make no further attempts to contact you beyond the mailing of our findings.
Our review will consist of an evaluation of the TECHNICAL MERIT of the citation. If we find the citation is invalid, it will be dismissed. If we find the citation valid, you will be provided with a “Request for Administrative Hearing” form with which to contest the citation further. Should you disagree with the technical findings, or feel there were extenuating circumstances, complete the form and file with the deposit of the full penalty amount within twenty-one (21) days of the postmark of our findings.
The “Request for Administrative Hearing” form requires you to select one of two options:
1. “Hearing by Personal Appearance” – For this, you will appear at an actual hearing presided over by a Hearing Commissioner, who will consider your contested citation. These hearings take place on a monthly basis. During this hearing you can testify or have a witness testify. The Hearing Commissioner can find you not guilty or dismiss the ticket administratively. He or she can also find you guilty, in which case, some or all of the posted bail is forfeited.
2. “Hearing by Declaration” - Allows you to submit a written argument to the Hearing Commissioner, who then has the same options as with a live hearing.
The decision of the Hearing Commissioner is final unless you appeal the case to Los Angeles County Superior Court. This must be done within twenty-five (25) days of the mailing of the Hearing Commissioner’s findings and requires a court-imposed fee.
You can get more details on the process by coming to the Citation Management (Traffic) counter in the lobby of the Police/Fire Headquarters Facility, or you may call 1-818-238-3120.
Download Contest Parking Citation Form. |
Q: What do I do if I think I am a victim of identity theft?
A:
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Q: How do I apply to build condominiums?
A: All new condominium projects must go through the development review process, and a tentative tract map application must also be filed. Condominium conversions of existing apartment buildings require an administrative use permit application in addition to a tentative tract map application. Please note that new and conversion condominium projects have special development standards that must be satisfied in addition to the typical multiple family standards.
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Q: How do I apply to build a new apartment building?
A: All multiple family projects, whether new projects or additions of units to an existing project, must go through the development review process. This process involves a review of your proposed project by all City departments to ensure that it meets all applicable code standards and will be compatible with the surrounding neighborhood. Please contact the Planning Division for more information.
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Q: Does it matter if my property is near a single family area?
A: Yes. Development standards in multiple family zones, including the number of stories that can be built and the area of your lot that can be covered by buildings, are limited if your property is located within 500 feet of a single family residential zone. Please contact the Planning office with your property's address to determine whether or not these additional restrictions apply to your property.
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Q: Can I add apartment units behind my single family home?
A: In some cases, yes. If your property is in a multiple family zone but contains only a single family dwelling, you may be able to keep the existing building while adding additional units at the rear of the property. However, all of the multiple family development standards will still be applied to the property, including parking and open space requirements. In some cases, these strict requirements make it impossible to accommodate additional units on the property without demolishing the existing building.
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Q: Can I operate a child care in my home?
A: All child care facilities are regulated by the State of California. City approval (aside from a mandatory Fire Department inspection) is not required to operate a "small family day care home" for up to eight children. For a "large family day care home" for up to 14 children, the operator must first receive approval of an administrative use permit.
Please consult Burbank Municipal Code Title 10, Article 6, Division 13 for the provisions that pertain to family day care homes in single family residential zones. For both small and large family day care homes, please contact the State Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division at (323) 981-3350 for further information and requirements. |
Q: What is the difference between a garage, carport, and porte-cochere and do I need one?
A: A garage or carport for at least two vehicles is required for every single family home. If the house is bigger than 3,400 square feet, a garage or carport for three vehicles must be provided.
A garage is enclosed on all four sides. A carport must be enclosed from the ground up on three sides by an opaque wall for at least two-thirds of the height of each wall. Four posts with a roof covering but no enclosing walls is not considered a carport, and cannot be used to satisfy the parking requirement.
A porte-cochere is a canopy attached to a residence, which is open on all sides, except where attached to a residence. The canopy extends over a driveway to provide shade and shelter, but cannot be used to satisfy the off-street parking requirement. |
Q: What are the rules for hobby or recreation rooms in my backyard?
A: Hobby, recreation, storage and other such rooms that are not attached to the main dwelling are limited to 300 square feet unless an accessory structure permit is approved. These accessory structures may have a toilet and sink only, unless there is an in-ground swimming pool on the property in which case they can also have a shower. If any plumbing is installed, the homeowner must sign a covenant that will be recorded on the property to prevent the accessory structure from being used as an illegal dwelling unit.
Garages may not be converted to hobby or recreation rooms unless replacement covered parking is provided elsewhere on the property. However, you may use your garage from hobby or recreation purposes as long as the garage door remains operable and the garage is not structurally altered in a way that would prevent it from functioning as a garage. |
Q: Can I work out of my home?
A: Yes. The City of Burbank has a home occupation ordinance that allows you to work out of your home for certain types of businesses. In general, home occupations are limited to office work or similar types of work that would not change the residential character of your neighborhood. Employees are limited only to residents of your home, and no outside clients or other visitors related to the business may come to your home. There are also limitations on the area of your home that can be devoted to the business.
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Q: What are the rules about "granny flats?"
A: Accessory buildings that are used for sleeping or living purposes are often called "granny flats." Under Burbank's zoning rules, accessory buildings can only be used for living or sleeping if they are approved as a "second dwelling unit." If a second dwelling unit is approved, it can be rented out. Second dwelling units can only be approved if certain requirements are met, including but not limited to:
- no bigger than 500 square feet
- no other second dwelling unit within a distance of 300 feet
- additional parking space provided (cannot be in driveway)
- property owner must live on property in either main dwelling or second dwelling (i.e. both units cannot be rented)
Older "guest houses" that were approved prior to the 1980s can be used only for temporary short-term stays by friends or family members. They cannot be rented out or otherwise used for long-term or permanent living. A guest house can only be converted to a legal second dwelling unit if it meets all requirements for new second dwelling units, including those noted above.
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Q: How many units can I build on my property?
A: Each of the multiple family residential zones allows a specific density of development. The higher the permitted density, the more units you can build. The permitted density is also determined by the size of the lot. If your lot meets certain minimum size requirements, you may be able to build more units.
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Q: What hours can my business operate?
A: The operating hours of your business depend upon your proximity to a residential zone. Most businesses may be open 24 hours per day if they are not located within 150 feet of a residential zone. However, businesses located within 150 feet of a residential zone may not be open for business between the hours of 12 midnight and 6 a.m. Employees may be on-site during that time, but their activities are limited.
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Q: The use list says I need a CUP for my business. What does that mean?
A: Certain types of business may require approval of a conditional use permit, or CUP, before they can open for business. This especially applies to commercial areas that are located within 150 feet of a residential zone. Many of the commercial zones in Burbank fall into this category. A CUP is a special permit that is approved by the Planning Board after a public hearing. If the Planning Board decides to approve a CUP application, it may place restrictions upon the permit and the operation of the business to ensure that the proposed business will be compatible with surrounding properties and uses.
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Q: Why can't I open a restaurant at a certain location when it's a permitted use in the Zoning Code?
A: When determining whether a use is allowed at a specific location, the use must be permitted in the Zoning Code and the required parking must be provided for the use. As discussed above, certain businesses may be grandfathered with less than the required amount of parking. However, grandfathering does not apply if the new business would have a greater parking demand than the previous business. Restaurants have a much higher parking demand than offices or retail stores. As such, a restaurant would not be grandfathered at a location where there is not adequate parking. It is not possible to open a restaurant at a location that previously housed an office or retail store if code required parking is not provided. The only situation where restaurants may be grandfathered is where it can be demonstrated that the building was last and most recently used as a restaurant.
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Q: How much parking do I need for my business?
A: Parking standards are determined based upon the type of your business, not the zone in which your business is located. Because many businesses in Burbank are located in older buildings for which it is impossible to provide adequate parking, some buildings are "grandfathered" with less than the required amount of parking. This means that in some cases, you may be able to open your business with less parking than might otherwise be required. However, there are very specific requirements that apply to grandfathered situations, and it is important that you discuss your proposed business with a planner to determine whether or not your business would be grandfathered.
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Q: How do I pay a parking citation?
A: There are various ways to pay a parking citation in the City of Burbank.
By Mail: Parking citations may be returned by mail with a check or money order made payable to the City of Burbank. Payments should be sent to:
City of Burbank Police Department, ATTN: Traffic Bureau
200 N Third Street
Burbank CA 91502-1201
OR
Payment Processing Center
P.O. Box 57010
Irvine, CA 92619-7010
Make sure to include your citation or indicate the citation number in the memo section of your check or money order
Online: Click here to pay your bills online. Any convenience fees are charged by the vendor, not the City of Burbank. Due to processing delays, it may take up to five days before online payment of your citation is available.
By Phone: You can call our toll free number at 1-877-237-3087 to make a payment by phone. Any convenience fees are charged by the vendor, not the City of Burbank.
In-Person: Payments may also be made in person at the Burbank Police Department, Traffic Bureau, Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Accepted forms of payment include: cash, check, money order, VISA or Mastercard. If the Traffic Bureau is closed, a drop box is located in the lobby of the station. Make sure to bring your citation or know your citation number to ensure proper credit. |