The Bureau through its Street Services Investigation and Enforcement is primarily responsible for public property and protecting citizens from injuries and accidents that may occur as a result of hazardous and dangerous conditions existing on public property. The Division enforces a variety of Municipal Code Sections and Board of Public Works regulations enacted to protect public property, ensure public safety and minimize the City's exposure to liability.

Street Services Investigators are classified as "Public Officers" pursuant to Section 836.5 of the Penal Code of the State of California. This classification grants investigators the authority to issue " personal service" citations (Notices to Appear in Court) and to effect misdemeanor arrests for violations under their jurisdiction. While this authority is an effective tool, it is mainly utilized for flagrant and/or recurring type of violations. Under most circumstances, compliance is obtained through the issuance of "Nuisance" type notices and via the Administrative/City Attorney Hearing process.

Enforcement and regulatory activities within the Division fall within three general categories: construction, public health and safety, and community/event based operations.

Within the area of construction related operations: the Division utilizes a permit based system to regulate the use of cranes, the placement and storage of building materials and equipment, the construction of protective fences, walkthrough canopies, the importing/exporting of earth materials, fire apparatus tests (excess water on streets), imperilment of lateral support of streets and sidewalks, the movement of houses and other extra-legal loads, and Rail Traffic Construction Impact Area Ordinance enforcement.

Public health and safety related operations include: visibility obstructions at intersections; illegal sign removal; obstructions in public rights-of-way; entrance canopies, broken sidewalks, curbs and driveway approaches; illegal dumping of combustible or non-combustible rubbish on public property or private premises; sidewalk cleaning contract oversight; and coordinating homeless clean-up activities.

Community/event based operations involve: temporary street closures for community based organizations or neighborhood watch groups, sidewalk selling activities, street banners announcing special events, Bus Bench Program Management and Transit Shelter contracts, and permits for seasonal decorations.

One investigator is assigned to each of the 24 maintenence districts. Each district is comprised of approximately 250 centerline miles. The Division's mission is to improve the quality of life for the public by increasing safety and cleanliness levels throughout the city and by making public rights-of-way more aesthetically pleasing. Division investigators are encouraged to accomplish the objectives primarily by voluntary compliance, taking into consideration that most contacts are with individuals that are tied to the community (property owners, business owners, contractors and developers). The Division responds to 97.4 percent of all complaints within 24 hours of receipt and due to the wide ranging types of violations enforced, it acts as a liaison and provides referrals to and for other agencies.