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1. Whom do I call regarding Animal Services?
2. Who provides animal services for the City of Rancho Santa Margarita?
3. What services are provided?
4. Are my pet licenses and animal facility licenses still valid?
5. Where is the animal shelter located?
6. Is the animal shelter a pro-humane shelter?
7. There is a dead animal in the street, how can it be removed?
8. Whom do I call about issues with flies, rats, and mosquitoes?

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1. When is a Building Permit required?
2. Why is a Building Permit required?
3. Are any projects exempt from a Building Permit?
4. How do I get a Building Permit?
5. How much does a Building Permit cost?
6. Where do I get a Building Permit?
7. What is a Building Inspection?
8. How do I schedule a Building Inspection?
9. How do I know if my contractor is licensed?
10. How long is the plan check process?
11. What is my plan check status?
12. When does a Building Permit expire?
13. Where is the Building Department located and what are the hours?
14. Why do I need a permit to replace a water heater?
15. Can I use an existing slab when I'm building my new patio cover?
16. Do I need Energy Efficient lighting in my kitchen remodel?
17. Can we build a storage shed in our backyard?
18. Are Building Permits required for a retaining wall?
19. Does the City have sample plans to help me design my project?
20. What are the benefits to obtaining a Building Permit?
21. Why would a contractor tell me I don’t need a Building Permit when one is actually required?

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1. When is the Chiquita Ridge Open Space Area going to be developed?
2. Why did the City enter into litigation with the County over this property?
3. What benefit to the City and the community will be realized as a result of the resolution of the lawsuit?
4. Who can I contact if I know of or work at a company that would like to be involved in the development of the potential sports park?

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1. Are code enforcement complaints kept confidential?
2. Can a garage be used for a dwelling area?
3. How do I report graffiti?
4. How do I report water quality violations or a sprinkler system running and water draining into the City's gutter?
5. Is noise from construction work restricted to particular hours of the day?
6. What are the City's regulations on temporary signs (e.g., open house and garage sales)?
7. Who can I call about barking dogs?
8. Who do I call if there is an abandoned vehicle on the street?
9. Who should I call for parking control on public streets?

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1. Are there any after school programs for my kids?
2. How can I advertise/involve my business in the City's events?
3. How can my band play at the concert?
4. How do I become a Contract Instructor with the City of Rancho Santa Margarita?
5. What events are held throughout the year?
6. Who do I contact for volunteer opportunities for myself or for my child?

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1. Are there separate areas for big and small dogs?
2. Is there a fee to enter the Dog Park?
3. What the hours of operation?
4. Where is the Dog Park located?

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1. Do I need a business license?
2. How can I determine if my proposed business is permitted in the City?
3. How do I file a fictitious business name?
4. How do I obtain a resale permit?
5. How do I start a business in the City?
6. What resources are available for a new or potential business in the City?
7. What is the process for obtaining a Conditional Use Permit (CUP)?

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1. Are the Building, Planning and Public Works Departments located in the same building as City Hall?
2. Can I have a tour of City Hall?
3. How can my community-based organization request funding from the City?
4. How can my company become a registered vendor with the City of Rancho Santa Margarita?
5. What services does SAMLARC provide and what is the City responsible for?
6. When did the City of Rancho Santa Margarita incorporate?
7. Where can I obtain a copy of Birth Certificates or Marriage Certificates?
8. Where is City Hall located?
9. Where is the Immigration Office located?
10. Where is the South County Municipal Court located?
11. Who are the members of the City Council and when do they meet?
12. Who is the City Manager of Rancho Santa Margarita?

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1. Does the City have a GIS application?
2. What print maps are available on the City's website?

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1. Are there any financial assistance programs to help me buy a home in the City of Rancho Santa Margarita?
2. Does the City of Rancho Santa Margarita have a first-time home buyer program?
3. What type of affordable housing programs are available in the City of Rancho Santa Margarita?

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1. How can I contact the Beach Club?
2. How can I rent a park area for a party?
3. How can I rent the paddle boats at the lake?
4. How do I get a key for the restrooms at the parks?
5. How do I rent the Bell Tower Regional Community Center?
6. What is the Bell Tower Foundation?
7. Where can I find a list of community events and activities?
8. Does the City offer a subsidized transportation program for adults 60 years and older?
9. Who do I contact about renting a room at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center?
10. How do I sign up for recreation classes?

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1. How do I get a Passport?

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1. Do I need a business license?
2. Can I run a business out of my home?
3. When is the Public Counter open?
4. How do I find the zoning designation or other information about a particular property or parcel?
5. What do I need to do to install new signs for my business?
6. I want to start a business in the City. What do I do?
7. How do I apply for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP)?
8. How do I provide comments/concerns on a development project during the review process?
9. How can I find out what is planned for a given property in the City?
10. How do I apply for a liquor license?
11. How do I apply for a permit to modify my parking requirements, setbacks, height limits, etc?
12. How do I obtain a Special Event Permit?
13. What are my setbacks?
14. What current planning projects are currently in the works?
15. What is a zoning ordinance?
16. Where can I obtain information about the City's affordable housing programs?

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1. How do I report a crime?
2. I’ve filed a crime report, now what happens?
3. I was involved in a traffic collision and an officer took a report. What happens with that information and how do I get a copy of that report?
4. How do I obtain a copy of a crime, incident, or traffic report?
5. How do I file a report for a lost cellphone?

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1. Does Rancho Santa Margarita have its own police department?
2. How can I get a restraining order?
3. How can I obtain crime information by neighborhood?
4. Can I get livescan fingerprints done at the Rancho Santa Margarita Police Services counter?
5. Whom do I call to find out the status of a case currently under investigation by the Sheriff’s Department?
6. Where can I get a proof of correction signed?
7. Will Police Services conduct a welfare check of a residence?
8. I’m going on vacation. Can the police come by and check on my home while I am away?
9. What is the law regarding car seats for children?
10. Where can I get my child’s car seat inspected?
11. Where can I get information about Megan’s Law?
12. Who can answer my questions about drugs and gangs?
13. Where can I get information regarding massage establishment and technician licensing requirements in Rancho Santa Margarita?

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1. What types of police related programs are available in Rancho Santa Margarita?
2. What is the Neighborhood Watch Program?
3. Where can I get information about the Explorer Program?

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1. Are bicycles allowed?
2. Are the kids required to wear protective gear?
3. Are there lights?
4. Is there any supervision?
5. What are the hours of the park?
6. Where is the Skate Park located?

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1. How do I report a broken or malfunctioning street light?
2. To whom do I report a traffic signal that is out?
3. When is my street swept?
4. My street has no parking signs. When will the Parking Restrictions begin?
5. Is my street subject to citations on street sweeping day(s)?
6. Why is the city doing this?
7. How will I know when street sweeping parking restrictions are in effect?
8. Where can I get more information?
9. What about holidays? Will I get a ticket?
10. How much is the ticket for not moving my car?
11. I received a parking citation on street sweeping day. What do I do?
12. Who do I call if I have questions about how to pay the fine?
13. Can I appeal the citation?

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1. I was involved in a traffic collision and an officer took a report. What happens with that information and how do I get a copy of that report?
2. How do I contest a parking ticket?
3. My vehicle has been towed. How do I find out where it is being stored and get it out?
4. My vehicle has been impounded. How do I get it back?
5. What can I do about vehicles parked in front of my house?
6. Whom do I call to report a possible abandoned vehicle on my street?
7. What can I do about speeding vehicles on my street?
8. What are the regulations regarding recreational and oversized vehicle parking on a public street?
9. Whom should I contact regarding traffic laws and enforcement of traffic laws?
10. Where can I park my recreational vehicle?