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Some of the newcomers to Elfin Forest and the unincorporated area seem to think that they can leave their common sense in the city. They also seem to think that the county has fewer rules to follow – that unincorporated equals Wild West and anything goes. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Town Council members often receive calls from residents complaining about violations. The town council has no authority to enforce violations – you need to call the County Department of Land Use, Zoning Enforcement, Health Department or other related agency. The people are generally helpful and well informed.
If you are new to the area, here are just a few of the items you should be aware of. These are all issues on which town council have received calls, so we thought it would be a good idea to share the details with everyone.
Roads - Because we live in an unincorporated area, we have to pay for the maintenance of our private roads. Many of our private roads have established road maintenance committees.
Septic - Although we don’t pay for sewer, it is each homeowner’s responsibility to assure that they maintain their own septic system, to prevent overflows, and to prevent system failure which can be extremely expensive.
Grading - Another area that is often disregarded is grading ordinances. Did you know that if you are moving more than 100 yards of earth, you need a grading permit? And when you grade, you should keep in mind not only what you’re doing to your property, but what the affect is on your neighbor and any adjoining waterways, seasonal creeks, springs, and so on. Does your grading route water onto the road? Will it undermine any paving? Did you know that you are required to have a water truck available to minimize the dust? And that there are limits to the hours of operation for equipment?
It is a state requirement and a county ordinance controlled by the Air Pollution Control District that all grading - roads, land clearing, construction, etc. - minimize the amount of dust created by such operations by application of water. Non-drinking water for dust control purposes can be purchased at Escondido's Hale St. water treatment plant. Check with the County before starting! Also note that by County Ordinance, grading is not permitted on Sunday.
Signs - Did you know that the county has a sign ordinance? That you must check with the county before putting up a sign?
Driveways – Driveways must be approved by the county. There is an important reason for this. While traffic emerging onto a small, private road is not a major issue, the placement of driveways onto busy roads like Elfin Forest Rd. is critically important because of line-of-sight impacts. You don’t want to put a driveway where oncoming traffic can’t see you pull in or out.
Building permits - Building permits are important, too. All of the above items may seem trivial or even a nuisance, but if you violate county ordinances, the county has the option of requiring you to restore the property to its original condition. Besides that, when you go to sell your home, you may be asked to provide proof that you had building permits and other approvals for the modifications you have made.
If you’re unsure about the rules, check FIRST! Your Elfin Forest/Harmony Grove Community Guide and the government section of the phone book have a complete listing of phone numbers to call.
The following is not a complete list of restrictions but attempts to answer questions most frequently asked by residents in the community.
This is brush fire country. Dirt bike riders should stay on trails, especially when brush is dry. All bikes must be equipped with spark arresters, and off road vehicles must be equipped with heatshields.
Don't smoke! If you must, do not throw ashes, cigarette butts or other burning or hot debris along the roadway. REMEMBER, nearly all property in the Elfin Forest/Harmony Grove area is privately owned and off road travel is restricted.
Traffic on Elfin Forest Road is deadly to animals. Many of us have had pets killed by careless drivers. If that's not enough incentive to keep your pets in a secure area, the County of San Diego has a strong leash law. Dogs running free are prohibited. There is a $75 fine for the first offense. Train your dogs to stay on your own property, install an “invisible fence” or provide a pet run for them. Be considerate of your neighbors - barking echoes in the valley. Try to keep your pets quiet.
Maintaining a large property takes a lot of work. A number of residents, from time to time, utilize the services of day laborers. It is your responsibility to check whether the workers you hire are legally permitted to work in this country. You are encouraged to hire legal workers. Many fine laborers available. Check with your neighbors for references. Hiring illegal aliens encourages them to stay in the area and results in an increase in their population (more work, more illegal aliens) which increases the threat of wildland fires. Many of these workers wind up living in the canyons and brush covered areas. They use illegal cook fires which are a direct threat to you and your neighbors. If a fire is started by one of your workers, on or off your property, you will be held financially responsible.
The INS has been known to make unannounced inspections and the fines are VERY expensive.
This area is zoned Rural Estate 17 Single Family Residential. This means only one residential house is allowed per parcel up to 8 acres. Parcels over 8 acres are allowed a second residential structure to house farm labor. The use of campers, trailers, camper shells or other structures other than for the prime residence is illegal. Questions concerning this ordinance should be directed to the Zoning Enforcement Section of the Planning and Land Use Department, County of San Diego.
CDF requires and will issue a burn permit. This includes brush and tree trimmings.
It is illegal in the County of San Diego to possess, transport, or use fireworks of any type including the "safe and sane" devices. Please notify your fire department if you observe the use of such devices.
There is no street lighting in the community, and none is wanted. There are no lighted signs and no traffic signals (except the one on Harmony Grove, which OMWD assures us is TEMPORARY). This is a very strong point brought out by the residents. They enjoy the beautiful nights, and they keep their own lighting around homes to a minimum.
One of the great attractions of the Valley is the lack of city lights at night. A note of courtesy: we should all observe the dark sky ordinance which requires that outside lights be turned off after 10:00 p.m. Like sound, light carries a long way in the Valley. If you must have an outside light on all night, use shielded, low density, carefully placed lights. Motion detector lights are an excellent alternative to an all night light.
The Elfin Forest/Harmony Grove Town Council worked very closely with the planner of Rancho Cielo Specific Plan Amendment (SPA) to minimize street lighting on the surface streets and reduced lighting in the proposed village on top of the mountains.
This area is very quiet at night -- so quiet that residents can at times hear auto racing that takes place on the coast in Carlsbad or the Amtrak train on the coast. The serenity of the area is one of its most endearing qualities.
The County of San Diego has a noise abatement ordinance which prohibits obnoxious noise after 10:00 p.m. This includes GENERATORS. This ordinance is backed up by a $500 fine for continuing disturbances.
Another courtesy. The constant noise of children riding 3-wheel bikes, off road bikes, and barking dogs can be very annoying to your neighbors. Sound carries long distances in the valley.
Radios turned on outside are louder than you think. Sound travels and echoes here. Be aware that your neighbors moved out here to enjoy the quiet of a rural life style.
Parts of Elfin Forest are designated as "No Shooting" and "Restricted Shooting" areas. Land owners may shoot only on their own property. But remember, sparks caused by shooting could start a brush fire, and you are financially responsible for any costs resulting from such an incident.
If you are aware of illegal shooting in your area, contact the Sheriff's Department.
Please remember that all of our roads are crossed by children, pets, and horseback riders and drive accordingly. Be especially alert for the horse crossing signs. If you observe other traffic driving in an unsafe manner complain to the California Highway Patrol. If these incidents are not documented, there is little the community can do to get them stopped.
10/02/2001 Copyright Elfin Forest/Harmony Grove Town Council. All rights reserved. Web design by Evelyn Alemanni