City Departments

City Clerk

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Grievance, Claims, Fees, Notary, Risk Management

1. City Council Meetings & Agendas

2. Records Center / Submit a Public Records Request

3. City Clerk Fees

4. Elections

5. Risk Management and Claims

6. Notary

7. Passport

City Manager

1. Animal Services

   Animal Control and Shelter Services, Dog Obedience Classes, Find a Lost Pet, Pet Disaster Preparedness, Pet-Friendly Apartments, Pet of the Week, Responsible Pet Ownership Program

2. Vector Control

   General Information

3. Ask Lake Forest

4. Community Choice Aggregation

5. SWLF Neighborhood Improvement Needs Assessment

Community Development

1. Building

   Codes, Fees, Forms, Inspection Instructions

2. Code Enforcement

   Property Maintenance Guide, Temporary Signage and Outdoor Promotion

3. Housing

   Affordable Housing, Annual Reports, Fair Housing, First-Time Homebuyer Program, Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program, Neighborhood Pride Paint Program

4. Planning

   Application Forms, Fees, Housing Element, Maps, New Signage Regulations, Planning Documents, Recent Approvals

Community Services

Etnies Skatepark, Sports Park & Recreation Center, Leisure Times, Parks and Fields, Recreation Programs, Seniors, Teens, Youth Camps

1. Facilities

2. Parks & Fields

3. Programs

   Learn more about our recreation, senior, or youth programs.

4. Special Events

   Get information about recreational and special events in the City of Lake Forest.

Economic Development

1. Resource Directory

Finance

Budgeting, Disbursements/Payments, Investments, Financial Reporting, Purchasing, Vendor Registration

1. Budgets and Financial Statements

2. Compensation

3. Requests for Bids & Proposals

   Lake Forest Purchasing Philosophy, Scope Comment Period

4. Vendor Registration

   Submit a vendor registration application.

5. Unclaimed Property

6. Short-Term Rentals

   Information about short-term rentals.

Management Services

1. Human Resources & Employment

   Applicant Login, Employment Opportunities, Job Descriptions, Salaries, Subscribe to Job Announcements

2. Online Services

   eLakeForest, Park Facilities, Parking Ticket Payment, Recreation Registration

3. Outreach & Communications

   City Publications, Press Releases, Special Studies, Website and Social Media Policies

4. Homeless Resources

   Lake Forest takes a multi-pronged approach to dealing with individuals experiencing homelessness in the City. The City designated Sr. Management Analyst as the point person to ensure those experiencing homelessness receive assistance and access to available resources. The City contracts with the non-profit Mercy House to provide outreach services. An Orange County Sheriff's Department Deputy also works as a Homeless Liaison Officer on a full-time basis. If you ever feel threatened by a situation, call 9-1-1.

Police Services

Orange County Sheriff's Department, Alert OC, Business Watch, Crime Statistics, Fingerprinting, Massage Application, Neighborhood Watch, Shredding Program, Vacation Home Checks

1. Orange County Sheriff

   The Orange County Sheriff-Coroner Department is a large, multi-faceted law enforcement agency served by approximately 4,000 sworn and professional staff members and over 800 reserve personnel.

2. Don't Make It Easy Program

   Don’t Make it Easy is a crime prevention campaign created to continue to raise awareness in order to help keep you, your family, and property safe.

3. Homeless Liaison Officer Program

4. Neighborhood Watch

   Neighborhood Watch is one of the most effective and least costly ways to prevent crime.

5. Business Watch

   The City of Lake Forest, in partnership with the Orange County Sheriff's Department, provides a Business Watch Program.

6. Crime Information

   The Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) statistical data provided are of the aggregated data of index (Part 1) crimes that are required to be reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

7. Fingerprinting

   Fingerprinting services are offered at the Orange County Sheriff's Departments Aliso Viejo Sub Station.

8. Parking

9. Shredding Program

   In an effort to combat identity theft, Lake Forest Police Services offers a free confidential paper shredding program for Lake Forest residents.

10. Vacation Home Checks

    This free service involves a physical check of your residence to ensure your home remains secure (Mondays-Fridays only) while you are away on vacation for 4 consecutive weeks.

Public Safety

Find resources for keeping you and your family safe in the City of Lake Forest.

1. Bond Fire Updates

   Bond Fire Updates

2. Silverado Fire - Live Updates

3. Wildfires

4. Alert OC

   The City of Lake Forest has partnered with the County of Orange to share in a county-wide emergency notification system known as AlertOC.

5. Emergency Preparedness

   Read about CEPA, get information about basic emergency preparedness, Ready OC, and view Fire Hazard Severity Maps.

6. Fallen Officers

   Read about Orange County Sheriff Deputies that will be forever remembered for giving their lives while in service to the residents of Lake Forest.

7. Fire and Ambulance Services

   General Information

8. Fire Safety and Awareness

9. Internet Safety

   Read about internet safety for kids, parents, and teens.

10. Know Before You Fly

    Know Before You Fly is an educational campaign launched by the FAA in partnership with the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International and the Academy of Model Aeronautics to inform users of safe and responsible operation of unmanned aircraft systems. Drone operators flying drones weighing over 0.55 pounds must be registered with the FAA.

11. Living with Urban Wildlife

    Many residents of Lake Forest experience occasional visits from local wildlife.

12. Megan's Law

    On May 8, 1996, federal legislation H.R. 2137 was passed, requiring state and local law enforcement agencies to release relevant information to protect the public from violent sex offenders. This legislation was appropriately named “Megan’s Law.”

13. OC Crime Stoppers

    Crime Stoppers is a service that allows citizens to anonymously report potential criminal activity and or supply information regarding suspects of crimes.

14. Drowning Prevention

15. Traffic Injury Prevention

    Read about cell phone/texting laws, click it or ticket, and graduated driver license laws.

16. Catalytic Converter Etching

Public Works

1. Graffiti

   Reporting graffiti to the City.

2. Expand The Forest

   Application, City Park Guide, Information Sheet, Program Description, Tree Options

3. Maintenance

   Bees, Bus Shelters/Benches, Fees, Graffiti Removal, Landscaping, Parks, Potholes, Sidewalks, Storm Drains, Street Lights, Street Sweeping, Streets, Traffic Signals, Traffic Signs, Tree Maintenance

4. Parking

5. Traffic

6. Trash & Recycling

   Household Hazardous Waste, Mandatory Commercial and Multi-Family Complex Recycling, PaintCare Program, Solar Trash Compactors, Urban Composting

7. Utility Services

   Electricity, Gas, Internet, Telephone, Television, Water & Sewer

8. Environmental Compliance

   In order to prevent pollution, everyone’s help is needed. The City of Lake Forest has collaborated with other Orange County cities and the County of Orange to develop Best Management Practices (BMPs) summarized in fact sheets. The BMP fact sheets are organized by the type of activities being conducted and are enforceable requirements.

9. Volunteers in Parks

   Volunteers in Parks