When is a permit required?The best way to determine if a proposed project requires a permit is to contact the Building and Safety Department at (909) 364-2780.A permit is generally required for any new building, addition, alteration, repair or change in use of an existing building or structure and site improvements. Examples of residential items that require permits:§ Water heater replacement§ Re-Roof§ Interior remodels§ Window replacements§ Patio covers§ Second Story Decks§ Balconies Examples of commercial items that require permits:§ Moveable cases more than 6' in height§ Shelving units/gondolas more thatn 6' in height§ Additions of walls§ Removal of bearing walls or non-bearing demising walls between two or more spaces§ Changes made to the electrical, plumbing or mechanical systems... 10/16/2007

SEEKING QUALIFIED FAMILIESThis year marks the 3rd holiday season where Chino Hills families who may need somehelp to provide presents, food, and clothing for their families during the holiday season canapply to participate in the Adopt-A-Family program. Qualified families will be "adopted" bylocal businesses, community groups, and Chino Hills residents who will donate items for thefamily. Families who have questions about income requirements and the interview processare encouraged to call Christine Martinez, at (909) 364-2702 for additional information.Spanish speaking callers may contact Albert Cardenas at (909) 548-4942. Residents,businesses, and local community groups provided overwhelming support in 2005 when theprogram was launched. 10/16/2007

Although your home falling into foreclosure will leave a negative mark on your credit report there are steps that you can take to get your credit back on track: 1. Rebuild Good Credit- Six months after the foreclosure appears on your credit report, begin rebuilding your credit by opening new lines of credit such as major credit card and a charge ctard. Remember to pay the bills on time. 2. Take Your Time- Do not apply for a new mortgage for two years so that you will have significant time for your rebuilt credit history to show. 3. Comparison Shop for A Mortgage These are just a few ways to pick up the pieces and rebuild your credit after foreclosure. 10/11/2007

Come out and join the FREE fun at the Fall Festival. Fun for kids of all ages. Saturday, October 27th from 12-3 p.m. Chino Hills Marketplace - 4200 Chino Hills Parkway, Chino Hills, CAFree Attractions will include:store to store safe trick or treating,Costume contest,Pony Rides,Petting Zoo,Giant Slide, Face Painting and Balloon Artist, Caricature Artist. You won't want to miss this! 10/06/2007

 Members of the Armed Forces who are Chino Hills residents (or an immediate family member of a Chino Hills resident: wife/husband, son/daughter, grandson/granddaughter) may be honored with a Military Recognition Banner.The cost of each banner is $210.  There is a limit of one per service person. The military banners will be on display continuously along Grand Avenue. The banners will be installed by the City and removed when the banner is damaged or the service person is no longer in the military. The City will not be responsible for replacing banners that are stolen, damaged or destroyed due to sun, weather, age, vandalism or any act of nature beyond our control such as high winds. Timing of the banner installation and removal will be at the City's discretion.How Can I Order a Banner?U... 10/06/2007

Country Springs Elementary has been named a Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. This distinction makes it one of the top schools in the nation. It is the only school in the San Bernardino County to earn the distinction and one of just 24 in California. Country Springs has shown consistent improvement inand high achievement over a five year span. It has had the highest Academic Performance Index (API) in both the school district and the county since 1998. The schools API for 2006-2007 was 923. Although this is the school district first Blue Ribbon school, it has had several schools honored by the State as California Distinguished Schools. They are: Briggs Fundamental, Eagle Canyon, Country Springs, Hidden Trails, Townsend Junior High, Marshall and Butterfield Ranch. 10/06/2007

A resounding YES is the answer to this question. I am astounded by how many times I hear clients say that they received their credit report but did not thoroughly read it. We can point to this behavior as one of the reasons we (the United States) are the richest country with the most debt. As a nation, we could really stand to do a lot better. Your credit report is your financial report card. When was the last time you let your child bring in their report card and then decided that you really didn'y need to read it? Try never! We need to apply the same zeal to our credit reports. AnnualCreditReport.com is a federally-approved website you should visit if you want a truly free credit report.  If there are errors follow the instructions to correct them. Also visit MyFico.com to learn how t... 10/06/2007

A Health, Safety and Environmental Awareness Event In Gordon Marketplace Saturday, October 13th 10:00 to 2:00 p.m.FREE Chidren's Fingerprinting & Identity Kits, FREE Health Screenings, FREE Face painting & Food Samples, Classic Car Exhibit & Motorcycle Exhibit, Children's Dance & Martial Arts Demonstration, FREE balloons, Giveaways, Great Prizes and Live MusicMeet Minnesota Vikings Legend & Football Hall of Famer Ron Yary 10/06/2007

Chino Hills Homes for Sale.Chino Hills is one of the most picturesque communities in the San Gabriel Valley. Flowing Rolling Hills with a huge wilderness area and spectacular clear mountain views. Chino Hills Homes for Sale have become sought-after for higher priced Amenity homes. There are also homes for sale in Chino Hills that are reasonably priced for lower and middle-income buyers as well. In Chino Hills most neighborhoods are arranged in a village-type format with strategically placed shopping centers and parks designed to be within walking distance of nearby homes. Areas of the city adjoining the Orange County line are still rural in nature.Whether you are a first time buyer or an experienced investor, you will find useful information about how to choose the "right" property, mak... 10/02/2007

Scent, aroma, quaff, fragrant, stench, odor--We're talking about the integral part that scents play in our feelings and sensations. These same feelings and sensations have the uncanny ability to make or potentially break the sale. Each time we list a home for sale it becomes increasingly crucial to ensure that potential buyers' feelings and sensations are filled with the likes of things that are aromatic and pleasing. We have more receptors dedicated to smell (around 2o million) than to almost any other sense. The average person can detect more than 10,000 odors. Let's hope that these are pleasant odors when potential buyers are touring your home. Our enigmatic sense of smell is so powerful that it even plays a huge part in how we choose our mates. So if our sense of smell can even help... 10/01/2007

For real estate services covering CHINO HILLS, CHINO, CORONA, DIAMOND BAR, BREA, PHILLIPS RANCH, LA VERNE, GLENDORA, WEST COVINA, WALNUT, SAN DIMAS, RANCHO CUCAMONGA, UPLAND, POMONA, ONTARIO, and SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.  If you are searching for Real Estate in Chino Hills or Southern California, I would like to win your business and be the Realtor you choose.  Chino Hills is hi-lited by community atmosphere, parks and rolling hills.  Investing in Chino Hills and/or Southern California Real Estate has proven to be the right move for many.  Some of the top-rated schools are located in Chino Hills.  From new to old, condo to mansion, Chino Hills or Southern California has the variety of Real Estate that will fit your needs.  E-mail me your search criteria and allow me to provide you the infor... 09/27/2007

Opus West - The Commons at Chino Hills, a 500,000-square foot retail power center on a 49-acre site is located at State Route 71 and Chino Hills Parkway.  Anchor tenant - Lowe's, plus several big box retail uses, inline retail, office development, Ayres Hotel, and several restaurant pads.  W.F. Construction - The Courts on Pipeline Avenue, a 10-acre site featuring a campus setting of 18 - one and two-story retail & office buildings, 125,000 square feet.  Opus West - Pine Corporate Center, located at the Pine Avenue exit of State Route 71, is 91% leased.  The Gem Sports Bar and Grill is enjoying success and the City's first drive-through Starbucks is a hit.  Rivendell Land Company - Chino Hills Corporate Park, located on a 10-acre site is visible on the east side of State Route 71 at Soq... 09/23/2007

Residents are excited about the first Walgreens Drug Store slated for Chino Hills? Why all the fervor? Clearing has begun on the site where Walgreens is slated at the northeast corner of Chino Hills Parkway and Peyton Drive.  Immediately adjacent to this site is Aegis Senior Living. These residents eagerly await this project because with seniors being challenged by health issues and transportation issues, Walgreens immediately next door resolves both those issues.   09/23/2007

Starting a new life together can put anyone in ‘whirlwind mode.' From the moment you are engaged, incessant planning ensues. With every detailed covered, the big day comes and then goes. Now what? It's normal to feel like there is somewhat a void in your life. Afterall, the last year, maybe even two years has been spent planning every single nuance of that day. But there is still more to be done. There are thank you notes to send out, name changes to be done and planning for the future. Planning the future entails making wise economic decisions. Real Estate is one of those decisions. This is not just because everyone needs a place to live, but also because sound real estate investments early on can provide for wealth in the latter years of marriage. Leveraging oneself with both short te... 09/23/2007

The fall session of the City of Chino Hills Citizen Academy is underway again. From September 13th through October 25th, every Thursday night at 7 p.m. at the City Council Chambers, a well-rounded overview of municipal government and services, tools and resources is made available to all residents. This provides a great way to find out how the City operates and meet a few friendly neighborhood faces. 09/23/2007

There is a new condominium project has been proposed in Chino Hills. This 95 unit project slated for the south side of Bird Farm Road between Country Club Drive and Ramona will consist of 72-units that are 1,600 square feet, 15 units of 1,400 square feet and 8 units that are 1,700 square feet. Each will have a two car garage. The original application had 150 units on the site but was not approved.  Additionally, 286 apartment buildings are being proposed for 15 acres next to Sterling Downs Apartments on Butterfield Road.  09/23/2007

The Heritage Professional Center proposed for the southeast corner of Soquel and Pomona Rincon will consist mainly of medical offices.  There is also another 10 acres at the northeast corner that has initial plans for a 3-story medical building, 120-room hotel, a sit-down restaurant pad, a fast food pad and retail stores. Lucille's Smokehouse BBQ is going to the Commons. 09/23/2007

Thanks to Congressman Gary Miller, $9 million for wastewater and water infrastructure was secured for Chino Hills and Chino, in addition to $200,000 for a state of the art children's area in our new library and another $250,000 to build Fairfield Ranch Road from its current end to Pine. Just when you questioned what your Representatives are really doing for you.  09/23/2007

Good News on the crime watch front...this year's City of Chino Hills budget increased the Police contract with the county to $8.8 million. As a result, the city will add three new deputies, a sheriff specialist, two marked police cars and one unmarked car. There is a five year plan to insure that the city police keeps up with the City of Chino Hills' needs and population. Kudos to the county and the city! 09/19/2007

The Good-Many homeowners in San Bernardino County, including 555 in Chino Hills and 118 in Chino can expect immediate property-tax reductions due to the recent drop in housing prices. The tax cuts are because the assessor's office has reduced the house's assesses value. Residents whose property values have been reduced will receive cards in the mail.The Bad-Property values have dropped.The Tax Breaks- Proposition 8, which was passed by California voters in 1978, specifies that when a house's market value falls below the value recorded the previous January 1, county assessors may reduce the recorded value to save the the owner property-tax money.  Homeowners with questions or those who wish to appeal their valuations, may call the county assessor's office at (909) 458-1300. 09/16/2007