Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions:

Q: What is the difference between the City and the POA?

The City Council is the elected body of City Government. The City Council is a five member, non-partisan board, elected at large from the citizens of Canyon Lake. The City Council is responsible for formulating the policies for the City and approving the major actions through which the municipal functions are conducted. The Property Owner’s Association (POA) is a private entity. For more information on the POA visit them at http://www.canyonlakepoa.com

Q: When does my City Council meet?

The first Wednesday of every month beginning at 7 p.m. For more information or to obtain an agenda visit our City Clerk's page.

Q: Who do I call if my neighbor has a recreational vehicle parked out on the street?

Call the Property Owner’s Association at (951) 244-6841 ext. 410 which is Community Patrol, Allied Barton Security.

Q: What if I experience a pot hole on Railroad Canyon Road?

We want to know about it, please call City Hall at (951) 244-2955. Depending on the severity and number of pot holes the City will call their contractor to come out and repair the pot hole(s).

Q: My daughter is getting married and I need to rent a facility, who do I call?

Call the Property Owners Association at (951) 244-6841 ext. 610 or City Hall at (951) 244-2955. Additionally a special events permit is required from City Hall. An application can be obtained online or by visiting City Hall at 31516 Railroad Canyon Road.

Q: I want to register my new boat, who do I call?

Call the Property Owner’s Association at (951) 244-6841.

Q: I received a ticket for speeding on my boat, how do I handle it?

Call the Property Owner’s Association at (951) 244-6841.

Q: Who do I call if my neighbor has their trash cans out too long?

Call the ACC Department of the Property Owner’s Association at (951) 244-6841 ext. 320.

Q: I really like the photos on your web site, where did they come from?

We had several sources for our photos including many from local residents. The photos used in the headers of our web site were taken by Anthony Arendt Photography.

Special Enforcement Questions:

Q: Can I wash my grass clippings down the curb?

No, state law prohibits anything washed into the drain as all drains empty into the waterways. If you are caught putting anything in the storm drains you will be cited.

Q: May I put signs along the roadway on Railroad Canyon Road for my garage sale?

No, city code prohibits any signs in the public right-of-way except for traffic and other needed traffic or informational signage.

Q: I have a nest of bees in my tree – what shall I do?

You need to call an exterminator. However wait for a day or two as bees sometimes swarm together and do not find the area suitable to them and leave for another area.

Q: The neighbor’s home has been vacated and the pool equipment is off and the pool is stagnant and green. Do I call someone?

Yes, call City Hall right away and the staff can have the problem evaluated and begin the mitigation process.

Q: What is NPDES?

NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) program is implemented by the City. This is an important environmental requirement that all cities must adhere to in order prevent urban runoff and maintain clean waterways.

Waste & Recycling Questions

Q: Who do I call if my trash doesn’t get picked up?

Call CR&R at (951) 943-1991 or log onto their site at www.crrwasteservices.com to view the pick-up dates.

Q: Why is the amount of trash limited to only the three containers (or in some areas two)?

One of the goals of California State Law AB939 was for its cities to divert 50 percent of its waste from landfills by the year 2000. One of the methods to encourage residential recycling is through either a multi bin recyclable system or a single commingled recyclable system. In either event, the goal is to maximize the amount recycled and to reduce the amount of waste generated. Limiting the amount of waste generated to two or three containers encourages consumers to maximize the use of the recycling bins and to explore other techniques to minimize the amount of household waste generated.

Q: Why didn't the driver pick up my trash this week, when it was out in time?

Call CR&R at (800) 826-9677 and see what happened and what can be done to remedy the problem and schedule a pick up.

Q: Why don't you pick up hazardous waste?

A hauler must be certified to transport hazardous materials to a certified landfill to ensure proper disposal. To offer this service would require additional fees and would duplicate programs offered throughout the County. Call the "County of Riverside Household Hazardous Waste Information Hotline" at (951) 486-3200

Q: How can I get extra trash picked up?

Each residential customer is entitled to a "bulky-item" pick-up without charge. Call CR&R customer service department with a description of the material to be collected to schedule a pick-up. As well, CR&R offers "dumpster's" for rent.

Q: Why can't the driver pick up one little extra bag?

The majority of residential waste is collected using an automated collection system operated by a single driver. This methodology allows the driver to collect waste without having to stop and get out of the truck to manually pick up the waste. This methodology also results in the most efficient and safest way to collect residential waste which, in turn, is reflected in the residential rate.

Q: I live in California, why do we have to take a recycle container if we do not wish to recycle? Why can’t we just have a trash can?

One of the goals of California State Law AB939 was to encourage recycling and required cities to divert 50 percent of their waste from landfills by the year 2000. The commingled automated recycling program has proven extremely effective in improving diversion rates allowing many cities to meet the mandated California target.

Q: What, exactly, can I recycle? Do I have to wash out the items for the blue/brown container?

Briefly, plastics exhibiting the numbers 1-7 in recyclable arrows; most glass food and beverage containers; uncoated, uncontaminated paper, including business papers, shoe boxes, cereal and cracker boxes, newspapers; metals, such as tin and aluminum cans, empty paint cans with dry paint, food and juice cans, and some lawn furniture.

With regard to washing recyclables, it is only necessary to rinse out the bulk of the contents of recyclable containers.

Q: What if I have a large item for disposal and what all do they take?

Items that cannot fit in your automated containers, such as a chair or a couch, are considered "bulky items." A bulky item is an object that can be handled by a two-person crew and may include washers, dryers, sofas or other large materials. Each residential customer is entitled to two (2) bulky item pick-ups free of charge per calendar year. Additional bulky item pick-ups will be provided for a nominal charge. To make arrangements for a bulky item pick-up on your regular waste collection day please call CR&R at (951) 943-1991.

If you want to dispose of other materials such as tires, motor oil, paint, batteries, etc. please call the County of Riverside, Household Hazardous Waste information line at 951-486-3200.

Development Services Questions

Q: If I want to install a new fence who do I call and what is required?

Call the ACC Property Owner’s Association at 244-6841 ext. 320 for permit specifications on fences. With regard to walls (i.e. retaining walls or sea walls) a permit from the City of Canyon Lake is also required. Please call the City Building Department at 244-2955 for more information and to obtain an application.

Business License Questions

Q: What is a business license?

A business license is a business tax paid to the City in order to conduct business legally within the City limits. The purpose of the license is to generate revenue for the City of Canyon Lake to provide police and fire protection, fire and crime prevention and many other community services.

Q: Is a business license all I need to conduct business legally?

The issuance of a business license does not entitle the license holder to carry on any business which is otherwise prohibited. It may be necessary for you to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy, a Conditional Use Permit and/or any other City, State, or Federal approvals before your business may operate.

Q: Who needs a business license?

All businesses operating in the City of Canyon Lake are required to have a business license, this includes businesses which operate from a home. You also must license if you are a contractor or subcontractor doing business in Canyon Lake on any job.

Q: When and where do I obtain a business license?

A license must be obtained prior to the start of your business. Obtaining your license prior to conducting business will allow you to avoid penalties that may be incurred. You can start by downloading an application here.

Q: How do I renew my Business License?

All City of Canyon Lake Business Licenses expire on December 31st each year. Licenses must be renewed each year - Failure to renew will result in penalties.

Q: What do I need to do if I move or change owners in my business?

Business licenses are approved for a specific location. A license is issued to a specific owner; a change in ownership requires a new license. Any move will require a new application and review by appropriate City departments. Please call for more information.

Q: When will I receive my Business License?

Your completed Business License Application and applicable fees must be received by the Business License Department before your license will be issued. Once all City requirements have been met and your license is paid for, you will receive a license number and your license will be mailed to you.

Q: Do you require a copy of my State Contractor's License?

If you claim contractor status on your business license application, please attach proof of a valid Contractor’s License from the California State Licensing Board.

Q: Do I need a Seller's Permit/Resale Number?

Any sales of tangible items require a sellers permit from the California State Board of Equalization (951)680-6400 located at 3737 Main St. 10th Floor #1000, Riverside CA 92506. If you already have a valid sellers permit but it is not registered for your new business, you must contact the California State Board of Equalization regarding changes and/or additions.

Q: Do I need a Fictitious Business Name?

California law requires that every person who regularly transacts business for profit under a fictitious name, must file and publish a Fictitious Name Statement. To file a statement please contact the Riverside County Clerk Recorders Office at (951) 766-2500, or Golding Publications at (951) 244-1966. Attach a copy of your Fictitious Name Statement to your business license application.

Library Questions

Q: How can I get a library card?

Any resident of California can obtain a Riverside County Library System card. Cards can be obtained at any of the thirty-two libraries or two bookmobiles in the Riverside County Library System.

To get a card, you will need to show either a valid California Drivers License with a current address, or two forms of identification, one showing who you are and the other indicating your current mailing address in California. Parents or legal guardians must sign for children's cards. Non-residents of California can obtain a library card for a $10 annual fee.

Print out a Library Card Application - Print out the following application in either Spanish or English and bring it with you* to the library. English or Spanish

*Note that parents or legal guardians must sign for children's cards.

Q: What is my PIN?

Your PIN (Personal Identification Number) is the last four digits of your telephone number unless you have asked for it to be changed to some other number.
You will need your PIN to access your library account information online and to place holds on items in the catalog. If using the last four digits of your telephone number as your PIN does not work, please call any branch of the Riverside County Library System for assistance.

Q: How do I place a hold on an item?

1. You can place a hold on most items in the library system so that when that
   item is returned, it will be sent to the library of your choice to pick up.
   Follow these easy steps to place a hold on an item and have it sent for you:
2. From the Library's home page , select "Catalog" from the links across the top of our home page.
3. Search for the item you are looking for by author, title, subject or keyword (keyword is the default).
4. If the item is owned by the library system, the next page will either have a single item or a list of items displayed. If it is a single item, you will see a "Place Hold" link in the separate column on the left-hand of the screen. Do you see that column on the left? If Yes, skip to Step 5 below; if No, then continue to Step 4.
5. From the list of items, scan down the list to see if the one you are looking for is there. When you have found it, click on the "Place Hold" link. Continue to Step 6.
6. Click on the "Place Hold" link, and when the Login page appears, enter your library card number without any spaces between the numbers (this number appears just below the barcode on your library card), and your PIN (this is usually the last four digits of your telephone number). After you have entered your library card number and PIN, click on the LOGIN button.
7. When the Submit Hold screen appears, choose your pickup library from the drop-down menu and then click on the SUBMIT button.
8. The next screen will tell you if the hold has been successfully placed. You will receive notification either via e-mail, mail, or phone when the item is available to pick up at the library you specified.
9. If your hold attempt was not successful, there could be several reasons why--the item you tried to request could not be requested (a reference book, for instance), you may have the maximum number of holds on your card, or your library card may have expired. Please contact your local library for further assistance.

Note: If the screen tells you that the hold was not successfully placed, there could be several reasons, including that the item cannot be held, or that your card is blocked for some reason. If you have any questions, call any branch library for assistance.