Frequently Asked Questions

All job openings are posted on the city website under employment.  Online applications are accepted by simply clicking the “Apply” button that is located in the top right corner of each vacancy announcement.  An applicant will then need to create or log into their Government Jobs account to submit their application.  If you have any questions or require any assistance, please contact the Human Resources/Risk Management Department at 626-580-2040.

The Purchasing Division can be contacted directly at 626-580-2065 to make an appointment with the Purchasing Agent.

The Information Technology Division can be reached at 626 580-2036, or you can email City of El Monte.

There are many things that you should consider doing. The first is to contact the City of El Monte Disaster Preparedness Coordinator at 626-580-2276 to discuss your specific situation. 

City Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. and adjourned no later 10:00 p.m. as per Ordinance No. 3044 approved on December 17, 2024, in the City Council Chambers, located at  City Hall East, 11333 East Valley Boulevard, El Monte, CA 91731.

The  Planning Commission meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of  each month at 7:00 p.m. as per Ordinance No. 2821 approved on July 16,  2013 in the City Council Chambers, located at City Hall East, 11333 Valley Boulevard, El Monte, CA 91731. 

Voter Registration forms are available at: Los Angeles County Clerk-Registrar/Recorder’s Office website (www.lavote.net); California Secretary of State’s Office website (www.sos.ca.gov); or post offices and local libraries.

Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk

Claim should be filed with the City Clerk's Office. Claim forms can be obtained at the City Clerk's Office. Claim forms can be mailed upon request.

• Mayor Jessica Ancona
• Mayor Pro Tem Viviana Longoria (District 4)
• Councilmembers:
  • Sheila Crippen-Thomas (District 1)
  • Martin Herrera (District 2)
  • Dr. Julia Ruedas (District 3)
  • Cindy Galvan (District 5)
  • Marisol Cortez (District 6)

Information concerning vital statistics, such as birth, marriage, and death  certificates can be obtained from Los Angeles County's Registrar  Recorders/County Clerk's Office, located at 12400 E. Imperial Highway,  in the City of Norwalk. To learn more, view Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. 

The City's Human Resources Office number is 626-580-2040 and our job hotline is 626-580-2041. 

Please contact the City's Transportation Division at (626) 580-2217.

Please contact the City's Community and Senior Services at (626) 580-2210.

Please contact the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department at (626) 580-2200.  Parks and Recreation Services.

Please contact the City's Environmental Services at (626) 580-2058.

Please contact Environmental Services at (626) 580-2058.

Please contact the City's Business License Division at (626) 580-2031.

Please contact the City's Planning Division at (626) 258-8626.

Please contact the City's Housing Division at (626) 580-2070.

The Yard Sales are held every quarter beginning the first weekend in March; followed by the first weekend in June; followed by the first weekend in September; and finally the first weekend in December .

You may register to vote online through California's Secretary of State Online Voter Registration website. if you are not sure whether you are already registered,  the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/ County Clerk website can help you check.

Please contact Public Works Maintenance.

Please contact Environmental Services.

City of El Monte employment opportunities are available via the employment link.  A Government Jobs account is required to submit an application.

All job openings are posted on the city website under employment.  Online applications are accepted by simply clicking the “Apply” button that is located in the top right corner of each vacancy announcement.  An applicant will then need to create or log into their Government Jobs account to submit their application.

The City of El Monte hires on a contingent basis. Whenever a position is vacant, we will accept applications for that position. If you are interested in a position that is not vacant at present, you may submit a job interest card online. We keep all Job Interest Card information for up to 12 months. If we recruit for the position listed on your Job Interest Card, we will notify you and let you know the deadline for submission of a City of El Monte Employment Application.

Please note that the employment verification will require a signed waiver from the employee.  The employment verification form can be emailed to finance@elmonteca.gov.  The verification will typically take up to a maximum of ten (10) days for return.

To verify employment in writing, please contact the City of El Monte Finance Department  at:

City Hall East

ATTN:  Finance Department – Payroll 

11333 Valley Boulevard
El Monte, CA 91731-3293

To learn more, view Typing Certificates (PDF).

For more information related minimum wage and the State of California, please visit State of California Department of Industrial Relations at https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/faq_minimumwage.htm.

Juvenile police records are records in which a minor is suspected of committing a crime. In the records, the minor is the suspect or subject.

Police records that merely mention children as witnesses or victims are not "juvenile" police records. The confidentiality of these records may be protected by other laws if the minor is part of the dependency or delinquency systems.

Juvenile police records are confidential to protect juveniles from the harm that could result from people who may improperly use the records.

The following persons and agencies may acquire complete copies of juvenile police records from the law enforcement agency:

• Other California Law Enforcement agencies
• School district police            
• Child protective agencies
• Attorneys who represent the juvenile subject of the records in a criminal or juvenile proceeding

The Department of Motor Vehicles. The following persons may acquire copies of juvenile police records from the law enforcement agency if information about other juvenile suspects is removed from the records:

• The juvenile subject of the report, and his or her attorney
• The parent or guardian of the juvenile subject and his or her attorney

In some cases, law enforcement officials may not provide a complete copy of the records. For example, information about other juveniles who could be considered "suspects" and information about victims, witnesses, or persons who have reported child abuse may be removed, if such information is not requested specifically. A complete copy of the records that includes information about other juvenile suspects requires a petition to obtain report of law enforcement agency, juvenile (Form JV-575) be submitted to the law enforcement agency.

If not entitled, the person must submit a petition to obtain report of law enforcement agency, juvenile (Form JV-575) to the Juvenile Court. If the Juvenile Court grants the Petition, the requestor will receive a copy from the Juvenile Court.

When a person petitions the Juvenile Court, they are making a formal request asking the Juvenile Court to grant them access to confidential juvenile police records for a specific reason. It is important to state the reason for the request and how the record will be used. If a person wants other confidential information such as victim or witness information, medical records and child abuse report information, it must be specifically requested in the petition. If not, the information will be removed even if access to the juvenile police records is granted.

There are a number of ways to get the petition:

• Pick up a copy of the petition from the law enforcement agency
• Call the Office of the Presiding Judge or the Juvenile Court at 323-526-6377 and ask that a copy be mailed or faxed to you

The petition is a short one page form, but it is important that it is filled our completely. It must clearly state the name of the juvenile subject, the case number or the minor's date of birth, and the law enforcement agency with the records. It is also important to include the reason why a copy of the juvenile police records are being requested and how the records will be used.

The completed form should be submitted to the Juvenile Court. It may be mailed or submitted personally to the Office of the Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court. Petitions submitted in person should be brought to the Clerk's Office on the Second Floor of the Children's Court.

Office of the Presiding Judge

Edmund D Edelman Children's Court

201 Centre Plaza Drive

Suite 3

Monterey Park, CA 91754

Additionally the proper parties, if known, should be noticed.

To notice a party means that the party is informed that a copy of the police records have been requested and gives the party an opportunity to object. The notice must include the identity of the person or entity requesting the information, a copy of the petition, where to send or bring an objection and the deadline for when the objections must be submitted  within 20 days if service is by mail or confirmed fax and 15 days if personally served.

The Petitioner requesting the records should attempt to serve notice on the minor, who is the subject of the records and the minor's parents or guardians if the minor is under 18. If a minor is a dependent of the Juvenile Court, the minor's dependency attorney, DCFS and County Counsel also must be noticed. If a minor is a ward of the Juvenile Court, the minor's delinquency attorney, the District Attorney and the Probation Department must be notified. The Juvenile Court will ensure that proper notice has been served and notice parties that were not noticed.

The Juvenile Court will need to ensure that proper notice and an opportunity to object has been provided to all of the necessary parties before a decision will be made. After considering the petition and any objections submitted, the Juvenile Court will determine whether a copy of the records should be released. In making this decision, the Juvenile Court Presiding Judge considers the interests of the juvenile, the person who submitted the petition and the public. If the need for the records outweighs the confidentiality interest of the juvenile, the Juvenile Court is likely to grant the petition. If a good reason is not provided, the Juvenile Court will deny your request. The Juvenile Court may also limit the release of information and provide a copy of the records with some of the information taken out or redacted.

The process takes several weeks because the proper parties must be noticed and have an opportunity to object. The law enforcement agency or Juvenile Court (depending on the situation) has 20 days to issue notice after they receive your request. Once notice has been sent, those parties have 15 to 20 days to submit an objection depending on the type of service. After the objection period is over, the law enforcement agency or Juvenile Court Presiding Judge should make a decision within 15 days. 

Urgent Filing

If your petition is urgent, you may file a motion to shorten time with the Juvenile Court Presiding Judge. This motion may be prepared in the form of a letter and must state a good reason why the objection period should be shortened. Usually it takes 15 to 60 days from the date you submit the Petition to receive a ruling. However, it may take longer to receive an answer if there is a delay in locating the police records or if proper notice has not been given.

If the petition is granted by the Juvenile Court, a copy of the records will be sent to the petitioner with a copy of the decision regarding the petition.

No. When a petition is granted and a copy of the records is received, it is important to remember that the records are still confidential. The petitioner received a copy for the specific purpose that was stated in the petition only. It cannot be used for any other purpose or shared with other people. Violation of confidentiality is a punishable misdemeanor. To use the records for other reasons, another petition may be submitted explaining why and how the records will be used. The Juvenile Court will then consider that petition and grant or deny that petition based on the new purpose.

 The False Alarm Ordinance was passed by the City Council in April 2007.  Enforcement began in August 2007. The False Alarm Ordinance was passed to reduce the number of false alarms Police Officers respond to. Two officers need to respond to each alarm even if it turns out to be a false alarm.  They spend about 15 minutes at each false alarm call. 

Number of Calls

In 2006 Police Officers responded to 4,200 alarm calls.  Only 2% of those alarms resulted in an actual crime or an attempted crime.  That means approximately 4,000 of those alarms were false alarms. The time spent by officers at false alarms means less time for them to spend with citizens or businesses that have an actual need to meet with officers.

A false alarm is notification of an alarm to the police department when the responding authority finds no evidence of criminal offense or attempted criminal offense.

If you have a burglary or robbery alarm installed or are planning on getting one installed then you must fill out an Alarm Permit Application with the City of El Monte.

Fees

There is an application fee of $25 that must be turned in as well. The Alarm Permit expires December 31st of every year and must be renewed. The renewal fee is $25. 

Inspections

The alarm system must be inspected before renewal by a licensed technician usually supplied by the alarm company which installed the alarm.

Yes!  There are fee exemptions allowed in the Alarm Ordinance. Exemptions include the following people:

• Low income seniors who are 62 years or older and meet a minimum income requirement based on the number of people living in the household
• Disabled persons
• Honorably discharged disabled veterans

• Inadequate training of people allowed access to your security system (children, neighbors, cleaning personnel, real estate agents, guests, relatives, babysitters, service and delivery personnel, etc.)
• Weak system batteries
• Open, unlocked or loose fitting doors and windows
• Drafts from heaters and air conditioning systems that move plants, curtains, balloons, etc.
• Wandering pets

Yes, there are. Each applicant can have three false alarms in a year before being fined for a false alarm.

• 1st False alarm: No Penalty
• 2nd False alarm: No Penalty
• 3rd False alarm: No Penalty
• 4th False alarm/1st Violation: $100
• 5th False alarm/2nd Violation: $125
• 6th False alarm/3rd Violation: $150
• 7th False alarm/4th Violation: $200
• Every False Alarm/Violation thereafter: $200

If property was booked as safekeeping, you have 60 days to make an appointment to pick up your property with the property technician by calling 626-580-2129, send a written request to hold your property for additional 10 months or give written authorization for someone else to pick up your property.

If your friend gives you written authorization to pick up their safekeeping property you can make an appointment with the property technician.

Call 626-580-2129 to make an appointment with the property technician to put up your firearm within thirty days from the date of your Department of Justice (DOJ) clearance letter.  You will need to present a locking case, valid identification and the DOJ clearance letter in order to receive your firearm(s) back.  Department policy dictates you will have to return another day to pick up ammunition.

The property technician can only release items taken as evidence with the investigating detective’s approval.

If your belongings were taken for temporary safekeeping, you MUST claim them within 60 days or they will be disposed of as specified in CA Civil Code Section 2080.10.  If you cannot pick up your belongings within 60 days, you can: 

·          Submit a letter naming another person that you have authorized to pick up your property, or

·          Submit a letter requesting that EMPD hold your property for up to 10 additional months. 

 To pick up your property, please contact the Property Bureau at (626) 580-2129 to schedule an appointment.  Appointments are available Monday through Thursday between 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  A valid I.D. is required.

The fastest way to locate your property is provide the property technician with the El Monte Police Department’s case number, for example 07CR99999.  If you don’t have your case number the property technician can locate the case number with your booking number, your arrest number or your first and last name and date of birth.

Yes, you can pick up his/her property, if you are given written authorization and have a valid I.D.

If any weapons were seized from you, either for evidence or safekeeping, the following MUST occur if you are to retrieve them:

The release must be authorized by a detective and/or a court order, AND

You must complete a CA DOJ Law Enforcement Gun Release application and submit it to DOJ. The application is available at EMPD or online at

www.ag.ca.gov/firearms

Call (626) 580-2129 to make an appointment with the property technician.  You MUST pick up your firearm within thirty days from the date of your DOJ clearance letter.  You will need to present a locking case, valid identification and the DOJ clearance letter.  Per department policy, you will have to return another day to pick up any ammunition.

If your property was taken as evidence, it will be released ONLY if:

• ·         The assigned detective authorizes the release in writing, OR
• ·         You present a court order authorizing the release of the items. 

Current developments within the City can be found under Ongoing Projects.

Permits may be required for any work done within private property or the public right of way. For private property inquiries, contact Planning Division or Building Division. For public right of way inquiries, contact Public Works Engineering.

A real estate inspection is a required property inspection upon sale, transfer, exchange or conveyance of real property within the city. For more information, contact Building Division. 

Reports can be filed by contacting Neighborhood Services or online at Go Request.

Please note that anonymous reports are not accepted

It is the intent of the City of El Monte to affirmatively further the policies of the Fair Housing Act and the American Disabilities Act. If you have any questions about your rights as a tenant, contact Housing Division.

you may sign up Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. .  Bring court papers, picture I.D. and a $40 processing fee.  Community service is done 7 days a week, 8 hours a day.  It starts at 7: 45 a.m.  Workers are chosen by first come, first served.  At the end of your community service time a court letter is given to you to bring back to court.

If you have received a general parking ticket from our Parking Control officers you must first contact the below number to dispute your citation before the Police Department can resolve your dispute. If you have your parking citation the below number and dispute process is outlined on the back.

Call us at 800-654-7275 or send a letter to:

P.O. BOX 4726

Irvine, CA 92616

Regular Jail Visitation Hours are 7 days a week from noon to 2 p.m. It is recommend to call us at 626-580-2112 first, first come, first served.

Inmates are allowed only two visitors per day, if time and visitor volume allows. All visitors are checked for warrants and criminal history. No items, including cell phones are allowed into the visiting area. Persons currently on probation/parole may not visit an inmate. Victim of crimes may not visit inmates connected to the crime the inmate is currently incarcerated.  

For community service hours, call 626-580-2282.

There is no charge for copies of police reports.

The El Monte Police Department does not perform live scan fingerprinting for the public. You may contact a local Live Scan/Fingerprinting authorized entity to get fingerprinted/live scanned for employment, youth league involvement or other reasons.

Fingerprinting / live scan questions can be answered by calling 877-477-4688.

Domestic Violence Restraining Orders

For domestic violence restraining orders contact the Rio Hondo Superior courthouse by phone at 626-575-4121 or in person at:

11234 Valley Boulevard

Window 1 or 2

El Monte, CA 91731

Other Restraining Orders

All other restraining order questions can be asked at either the Pomona Superior Courthouse by calling 909-620-3107 or visiting them in person at
400 Civic Center Drive

Room 201
Pomona, CA 91766

 You can also contact the Pasadena Superior Courthouse by phone at 626-356-5684 or by visiting the courthouse at:
300 East Walnut
Pasadena, CA 91101

Registrants that register with us, must live in the City of El Monte. Registration hours are 2 - 6 p.m. everyday. It is advised to call 626-580-2115.

There are certain fees for certain storage/impound violations. The Police Department charges a onetime fee for the storage, we do not charge per day storage. However, the tow companies that store vehicles are private entities to which the Police Department/City does not regulate their respective fees. Tow companies charge certain fees based on the actual tow, and daily storage of the vehicle. Companies working with Police Agencies must maintain a standard fee schedule regulated by the California Highway Patrol. The Police Department charges the below fees for stored/impounded vehicles:

            Storages                                  $120.00

            Impounds/Drive Arrested        $240.00

            DUI                                          $500.00

            The Police Department only takes exact cash when the City Finance Department is closed (Fri-Sun).

No, the El Monte Police Department only takes crime reports from an individual in person. Although general tips or criminal activity will be investigated, a person reporting an actual crime that occurred must report the crime in person.

To obtain a copy of a police report you must come to the Police Lobby and fill out a Request for A Police Report form. Generally a police report will be ready for release in approximately ten (10) business days, however under certain conditions a report may be delayed or not available for release for valid reasons. Also certain reports are considered Confidential and may not be released. Reports may only be released via the El Monte Police Records Bureau. Questions regarding the release of reports may be directed to the Records Bureau at (626) 580-2115.

Generally, any victim of a crime must report the crime in the jurisdiction in which the crime occurred. However, under certain conditions some crimes that have been committed to a person may be reported to the jurisdiction in which the person lives if there is a great distance between El Monte and where the person lives. Under certain conditions the local jurisdiction in which the person lives will take an Outside Jurisdiction Courtesy Report and El Monte P.D. may do the same.  This is generally only done for certain crimes against persons and not for property crimes.

The El Monte Police Department is open twenty fours a day for 365 days. However, the front desk of the Police Department is open seven days a week from 7:30 am to 8:00 pm. The front desk is generally closed most holidays. A person may respond to the police department front desk during off hours and contact our dispatch center via a telephone outside the front desk area. An officer working patrol will respond to the front desk area.

The El Monte Police Department Administration is open Monday- Thursday 7:00 am to 5:00 pm and is located in the Wayne C. Clayton Police Administration Building located north of the main police station and City Hall West.

The Detective Bureau of the Police Department is available Monday- Friday 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. They can be contacted via the Detective Bureau Sergeant at (626) 580-2134 or by contacting the Front Desk of the main station. Please understand Detectives are working Detectives that may not be available due to a working investigation, court or another detail.

No, the City of South El Monte is a separate City which is patrolled by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Temple Station at 626-285-7171.

No, the El Monte Police Department does not sign off fix it tickets, even those written by the El Monte Police Department. A local CHP office will usually sign tickets off, or we direct people across the street to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department office located in the Rio Hondo Courthouse.

No, the El Monte Police Department has entered an agreement with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for CCW permit applications.

The Police Cadet position is part time position for the El Monte Police Department. Applicants need to be 18 years or older, have a valid California Driver’s License and maintain at least 6 semester units of college courses. Interested applicants have to apply with the City’s Human Resources Division when applications are being accepted. The Human Resources of El Monte utilizes the on line application system NEOGOV. Any further questions may be directed towards the El Monte Police Training Unit (626) 580-2120.

The Police Explorer program is for youths between 12-17 years old. El Monte Police Officers volunteer their time to coordinate the program on a weekly basis. Successful candidates will be enrolled in the Police Explorer Academy, which is run for fourteen consecutive Saturdays. Upon graduation the Explorers attend weekly meetings and assist the Police Department during functions, including being eligible for ride-a-longs where the explorer is taught some basic police details. Those interested may call (626) 258-8653 and leave your name and a good contact number for an Explorer Advisor to return your phone call. 

Explorer Web Page

We have a form and some guidelines to help you obtain a film permit in El Monte.  Please follow the link to go to the Film Permit Page.

TORCH stands for Teaching Obedience Respect Courage and Honor. It is a youth intervention program. Those interested in enrolling their child in the TORCH program may contact the Community Relations Office at (626) 580-2181 or email torch@elmontepd.org.

Registrants that register with us, must live in the City of El Monte. Registrants are only accepted by appointment only. To make an appointment, call 626-580-2100.

Domestic Violence Restraining Orders

For domestic violence restraining orders contact the Rio Hondo Superior courthouse by phone at 626-575-4121 or in person at:

11234 Valley Boulevard

Window 1 or 2

El Monte, CA 91731

Other Restraining Orders

All other restraining order questions can be asked at either the Pomona Superior Courthouse by calling 909-620-3107 or visiting them in person at
400 Civic Center Drive

Room 201
Pomona, CA 91766

 You can also contact the Pasadena Superior Courthouse by phone at 626-356-5684 or by visiting the courthouse at:
300 East Walnut
Pasadena, CA 91101

Valley Vista Services
17445 E. Railroad Street
City of Industry, CA 91748

800-442-6454

The trash rates are:

• Basic Services / billed quarterly: $35.47 per month ($106.41 / quarter)
• Additional Blue Recycling Cart: No Charge
• Additional Brown Trash Cart: $7.36 per month ($22.06 / quarter)
• Additional Green Waste Cart: No Charge for One Additional Cart
• Additional Green Waste Cart above 2 containers: $7.35 per month ($22.05 / quarter)
• Low Income Senior/Disabled Rate: $18.12 per month ($54.36 / quarter)
• Senior Discount Rate: $29.91 per month ($89.73 / quarter)

No, you may only use the trash carts provided by your trash company. All trash must fit inside your carts. 

Yes, you may request an extra brown cart for an additional fee. Extra green and blue carts are available at no charge. Contact Valley Vista Services to order additional carts.

Dumpsters and roll off boxes are available in various sizes to suit your disposal needs. Please contact Valley Vista Services to rent a container. Encroachment permits may be required if the container is required to be placed on public right of way. Click here for more information regarding Construction and Demolition.

Yes. Residents living in single family homes and planned unit developments are entitled to the pick up and disposal of 20 bulky items per year, at no charge. Please contract your trash provider to arrange pick up on your next trash pick up day. Keep in mind, it is against the City's Municipal Code to leave bulky items out at any time other than the night before your trash pick up day.

Bulky item pick ups take place on trash day.  Contact Valley Vista Services at least 24 hours in advance to schedule a pick up.

Yes, contact Valley Vista Services for options.

Residents are billed quarterly.  Businesses are billed monthly.

You may call your trash hauler. Their phone number, 626-961-6291, is also on your trash container and on your trash bills. If you are unable to resolve an issue, you may call the City at 626-580-2058.

All persons or companies conducting business in the City of El Monte are required to pay a business tax. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Commercial and residential landlords
• Home based businesses
• Independent contractors
• Manufacturers
• Professional businesses
• Retail outlets
• Service companies
• Wholesalers

If you conduct business in the City of El Monte from an office located outside of El Monte, you are still required to pay a business tax.

For a new business, the business tax is due and payable at the start of business. For business tax renewals for existing businesses, the business tax is due and payable at the beginning of each calendar year. Business tax for special events (e.g. Live entertainment venues) are payable 4 weeks prior to the day(s) of the event.

How to Renew a Business License

Business tax rates are calculated based upon the type of business, gross annual receipts, and a minimum processing fee, as specified in the El Monte Municipal Code.

Business Tax Certificates are not transferable or assignable to any other person or business.

Please note that this information does not constitute a final or complete interpretation of all legal requirements that may apply to your particular type of business. Please contact the Business Support Center at (626) 376-4679 . A Tax Specialist will be happy to answer any additional questions that you may have.

Locations

• Customers may mail their water bills in the self-addressed envelope provided with their bill or may bring in person to City Hall.
  
• There is a night drop located in the breezeway between the Police Department and City Hall East Box marked "After Hours Payments"
  
• All additional fees, deposits, and required paperwork must be processed in person at City Hall East.
  
• There is no other authorized paying station for the City of El Monte Water Department.

Please refer to our Service Requests page.

The City of El Monte Water Department sends out bills on a bimonthly  basis every:

• January
• March
• May
• July
• September
• November

Get information on our Water Rate page.

Example Answer

Curbside collection service is provided by Valley Vista Services. For any questions regarding this service, please contact Valley Vista Services at 800-442-6454.

Recycling service is provided by Valley Vista Services. For any questions regarding this service, please contact Valley Vista Services at 800-442-6454.

Example Answer