Public Works

Citation for Abandoned Shopping Carts

Long Beach Municipal Code Chapter 8.61 provides for the issuance of administrative citations for Long Beach Municipal Code violations. The administrative citation program and the establishment of appropriate fines are intended to act as a reasonable deterrent in preventing Municipal Code violations.

Fine Schedule

Each day a violation exists constitutes a separate and distinct offense. Fines are imposed as follows. A $100 fine will be imposed for each violation. Following the issuance of more than ten administrative citations within a thirty (30) day period, in addition to administrative penalties, subsequent violations shall be referred for criminal prosecution and a physical containment system may be required.

Consequence of Failure to Pay the Fine

Failure to pay fine(s) within the specified time period may result in a 25% late charge, imposition of a special assessment and/or lien against the real property on the business premises, filing of a claim with the small claims court for recovery of the fine and all costs associated with such filing, suspension and/or revocation of any City permits, business licenses, entitlement, or other city approval pertaining to the business premises that is subject of the fine and administrative citation or any legal remedy available to the City to collect such money.

Rights of Appeal

A cited party may appeal administrative citations and imposed levies. For cited code violations, the appeal must be requested within thirty (30) calendar days from the date of service of the Citation. In order to appeal, a completed Request for Hearing form (available from the Neighborhood Services Bureau or online at Report Abandoned Shopping Carts) together with a deposit in the total amount of outstanding fine(s), late charges, and/or levies must be submitted to the Department of Development Services located at 411 W. Ocean Blvd, 3rd Floor, Long Beach CA 90802. Requesting an appeal does not relieve the Cited Party from the requirement to correct all code violations as specified.

Generally, the only relevant evidence considered on appeal is whether the violation(s) existed on the date and time the Administrative Citation was issued and whether the cited party is the responsible person who caused or maintained the violation(s).

If an appeal is denied, the entire deposit shall be retained by the City as payment in full of outstanding fines, late fees, and/or levies. If an appeal is upheld, the entire deposit shall be refunded to the cited party within thirty (30) business days from the date of the written appeal decision. Failure to properly file a written appeal within the appropriate time frame shall constitute a waiver of the cited party’s right to appeal and seek judicial review.

How to Pay Your Fine

The amount of your fine is indicated on the front of this citation. You are required to pay your fine in full by the correction date noted on the citation. Please mail in your payment, including the attached payment remittance slip, in the envelope provided. Payment may be made by personal check, cashier’s check, or money order payable to the City of Long Beach . Please write your citation number on your check or money order. Payment of the fine shall not bar further enforcement action by the City of Long Beach .

How to Retrieve Shopping Carts

The administrative citation you receive will also serve as notice that the City has impounded one or more of your shopping carts. If you receive a citation, you must call (562) 570-2850 to make arrangements to pick-up your cart. You will be required to bring proof that you are the cart owner or an official representative of the cart owner. If you do not retrieve your shopping cart within thirty (30) days of receipt of a notice of violation, the cart will be crushed for recycling pursuant to the Business and Professions Code Section 22435.7.

Contact Numbers

Citation questions: contact staff at the number shown on your citation. Payment questions: contact the Department of Development Services, Neighborhood Services Bureau at (562) 570-1010.

Administrative Citations are governed by Long Beach Municipal Code Chapter 8.61.