Here in the Antelope Valley, as with any other community, we have several different laws to abide by. 
Obviously, we are not supposed to kill people, steal, speed, or run naked through the streets. Pretty much basic common sense stuff right? There are however, a few laws that some folks may not be aware of. For example, in the city of Lancaster, you can only hold a total of four garage sales per year. Trash cans must be stored out of sight from the street. Lawns must be kept green...etc.
To neglect any one of these codes will result in a citation and stiff fine! I would not be surprised if the majority of homeowners in the area have no idea that these laws were on the books. Working for a property management company allows me to find out some very interesting things about the cities I cover. I have gotten several calls from our friendly neighborhood code enforcement guy. Every time he calls he has a new and exciting (read "bizarre" and "obscure") code violation for me to take care of. I am pretty sure that he is bored to tears and is forced to make up odd laws to stay awake.
There is one law that takes the cake however. I was shocked when I found out about this one.! Did you know that if you own a rental home in Lancaster you must also hold a valid business license? It doesn't matter if your home is managed by a licensed Antelope Valley property management company; you still have to have your own license in addition to ours. Weird huh? I am pretty sure that particular law is geared primarily for squeezing funds out of the good people of Lancaster...I can't think of any other reason for it. Oh well! Such is the world that we live in!
If you are considering renting out your house, I would encourage you to find out as much as possible about the laws pertaining to rental properties in your area. If you are not sure, contact your local city government and ask them for all of rules pertaining to rental properties. A five minute phone call may save your wallet from a city-led plundering!
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