With the continuing clean up of Pasadena after the Santa Ana wind storm last week, Ann Erdman, Pasadena’s Public Information Officer, sent out these Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Hope you will find them helpful… Please pass them along to your friends who might need this information.
Power
Q: My power is still out. When will it be back on?
A: It’s difficult to estimate as different outages are caused by different circumstances. But Pasadena Water and Power expects that at least 80% of customers still without power on Monday, Dec. 5 will have it restored by the end of Tuesday, Dec. 6. The storm initially knocked out power to more than 6,300 customers. About 99.5 percent of customers now have power again, and crews have been working round the clock since last Thursday morning to restore power to all customers.
Q: I’m an Edison customer and my power is out. What do I do?
A: Please contact Edison customer service at 800-611-1911. If you have access to a computer elsewhere, check your outage status online at www.sce.com.
Q: A power line is down. What do I do?
A: Do not touch any downed lines, even if you don’t see sparks. Call the city at (626) 564-0199 or (626) 564-0299. If you do see sparks, it’s a live and very dangerous wire. Call 9-1-1.
Trees and Debris
Q: My tree has fallen down or appears to be in immediate danger of falling. Who do I call?
A: If you have a tree that is located on private property that has fallen or appears to be in immediate danger of falling please contact the Planning Department at (626) 744-6777 or (626) 744-5756. For these types of trees, no tree removal permit is required; however basic information such as the type, size and location of the tree and a photograph will be needed to document the trees that are being removed.
Q: I have a tree on my property that appears to be compromised, but may not fall immediately. Who do I call?
A: If you have a tree that is located on private property that may need to be removed in the near future because it may have the potential for falling, please contact the Planning Department at (626) 744-6777 or (626) 744-5756. For these types of trees, an inspection will be performed within 24 hours to conclude if there is an immediate hazard. If there is an immediate hazard, no tree permit is required. If there appears to be no immediate hazard, a tree removal permit will be required. The planner will instruct you on the submittal requirements for a tree removal permit.
Q: What do I do with big branches and other green debris?
A: Please use your yard waste barrels for as much as they can handle. Excess storm-related yard waste can be placed unbagged at the curb or in the parkway (the area between the curb and sidewalk) for pickup by city crews. Please be careful not to block driveways or space for regular garbage and recycling pickup. Excess yard waste can also be taken to Green waste drop-off locations at Eaton Blanche Park and Jackie Robinson Park from Dec. 7 through 16:
* Robinson Park
1081 N. Fair Oaks Avenue
Bring your material to the parking lot on Morton Street.
* Eaton Blanche Park
3100 E. Del Mar Blvd.
Bring your green material to the lot on Millicent Way.
Fences
Q: I have a fence that has blown down or has been damaged by the windstorm, do I need a permit to rebuild the fence?
A: For inquiries regarding fences on private property (including landmark districts and properties containing a designated historic resource) that have fallen we are not requiring any kind of permit for repair or replacement provided the new fence matches what was there before. Please contact the Planning Department at (626) 744-6777 or (626) 744-5756 and a planner will assist you in completing the documentation process. If you would like to construct a new fence that is different (i.e. change of material, location, height) from what existed prior to the storm, please talk to the planner and they can verify what standards apply and if a permit is needed.
Planning Department staff will require the following information to document the in-kind fence replacements:
* Property owner contact information
* Address where the fence is located
* Height of the fence, fencing material (e.g. wood) and location of the fence on the property (to the extent known)
* Photo showing the damaged fence (cell phone photos are acceptable)
Roofs
Q: My home has minor roof damage that needs to be repaired. Do I need a permit for this repair work?
A: For minor roof repair (such as roof patching), meaning 25 percent or less of the roof needing work, a building permit is not required. To verify that the proposed work is a minor repair only, please contact the Building and Safety Division at (626) 744-4200.
Q: My home has moderate to extensive roof damage. Do I need a permit for the repairs?
A: For more extensive roof repairs, meaning more than 25 percent of the roof, a building permit will be required. Please contact the Building and Safety Division at (626)744-4200. Staff will be able to guide you through the permitting process.
Q: I live within a landmark district (or own a designated historic resource) and need to repair my roof. Do I need a permit for the repairs?
A: For minor roof repair (such as roof patching) on private property located within a landmark district or on a designated historic resource Planning does not require a permit but must verify that the new material matches the existing roof. Staff will be documenting these types of repairs only. Please contact a planner at (626)744-6777 or (626) 744-5756 who will assist you in completing the documentation process. For roof repairs that are more extensive and include structural repairs, please contact the Building Division at (626) 744-4200. A building permit may be necessary for these types of repairs.
Planning Department staff will require the following information to document the in-kind roof repair/replacement within a landmark district or on a designated historic resource:
* Property owner contact information
* Address of roof repair
* Photos showing the previous material and roof damage
* Proposed new material to verify compatibility
Structural Damage
Q: My property sustained damage from the recent wind storm. Do I need a building permit for the repair work?
A: If there is an issue of immediate danger please call the Building and Safety Division at (626) 744-4200. For non-emergency inquiries regarding structural damage on private property contact a building plan checker at (626) 744-7601.
Q: A city-owned tree or power line damaged my property. What do I do?
A: Contact your insurance company. In general, the city is not liable for damages to private property even if caused by city trees or power lines in the course of a storm.
Electrical Permits
Q: My electrical meter is damaged. Do I need a permit for the repairs?
A: For all inquiries related to electrical permits please contact the Building and Safety Division at (626) 744-4200.
Miscellaneous
Q: The phone line on my property is down. What do I do?
A: Don’t touch it. Contact your phone company.
Q: The cable line on my property is down. What do I do?
A: Don’t touch it. Contact your cable provider.
Q: My cable or satellite TV is not working. What do I do?
A: Contact your cable or satellite TV provider.
Important Pasadena Phone Numbers
* Power outage reports and inquiries: (626) 744-4673
* Trees down on public property: (626) 744-4321
* Trees down on private property: (626) 744-6777 or (626) 744-5756
* Building damage: (626) 744-4200
* Electrical permits: (626) 744-4200
* General building inquiries: (626) 744-7601
