Clean & Safe Program

Keeping our Streets Clean for the Community

The Clean & Safe Program is a service provided by the City Heights Business Association for the property owners and businesses within the City Heights Maintenance Assessment District. The program provides maintenance services along University Avenue from Interstate 805 to 50th street and segments of 37th Street, Central Avenue, 43rd Street, and Fairmount Avenue.

Learn more about the Clean & Safe team and how they contribute to a more prosperous community in City Heights.

CHBA Clean & Safe crew member emptying trash bin

What is a Maintenance Assessment District?

A maintenance assessment district (MAD for short) is a defined geographical area where property owners vote to assess themselves an additional tax/assessment in order to fund enhanced services or projects within the district's boundaries.

In 2004, property owners voted to create the City Heights MAD along portions of University Avenue, 37th Street, Central Avenue, 43rd Street and Fairmount Avenue. Some of the enhanced maintenance services provided include landscaping, sidewalk and gutter sweeping, lighting, sidewalk power washing, trash removal and graffiti abatement.

Since 2005, The City Heights Business Association has managed the City Heights MAD under contract with the City of San Diego. Daily maintenance within the district is performed by the staff of the CHBA Clean & Safe Program.

Clean & Safe Services in the MAD

The Clean & Safe Maintenance Team oversees and performs regular services throughout the Maintenance Assessment District (MAD) that make our neighborhood a cleaner, safer, and more welcoming space for residents, visitors, and business owners. The most urgent services in the MAD, including trash removal, sweeping, power-washing, and graffiti removal are performed on a daily or weekly basis, while other services are scheduled on a bi-weekly or monthly rotation. Make a maintenance request within the MAD.

Weekly Services

City Heights Business Association clean and safe crew removing trash and replacing trash linings on University Ave in City Heights, San Diego

Trash Removal

Our team monitors trash cans throughout the MAD and removes trash on a daily or weekly basis, depending on location.

City Heights Business Association Clean & Safe crew members powerwashing the sidewalk on University Ave.

Power Washing

High-traffic streets are power-washed on a weekly basis, and less busy areas in the MAD are washed on a rotating schedule. All bus stops are power-washed on a monthly basis, or as needed.

Clean & Safe crew sweeping the street

Sidewalk Sweeping

We sweep all sidewalks in the MAD at least once per week. Our work includes sweeping trash found on the sidewalks and in the street gutters.

CHBA Clean & Safe crew member removing grafitti from a wall

Graffiti Removal

Our team members are constantly on the lookout for new graffiti in the MAD, and have time set aside to prioritize clean-up and removal 2-3 times per week.

Additional Maintenance Work

Clean & Safe team member cleaning a bus shelter along University Avenue

Bus Shelters

Bus shelters are cleaned regularly and power-washed on a monthly basis.

Cigarette butt containers

Cigarette Disposal Stations

Cigarette disposal stations are cleaned on a bi-weekly basis.

Pet waste bag dispenser

Pet Waste Bag Stations

We replenish the bags at the pet waste bag stations on a bi-weekly basis. 

Beautification & Street Enhancement Projects

The Clean & Safe Program has sponsored numerous community beautification and enhancement projects over the years. These projects contribute to a cleaner, safer, and more enjoyable experience for residents and visitors in the City Heights community.

Chba Streetlight Banners

Streetlight Banners

We sponsor a series of street light banners throughout the MAD that highlight our international marketplace and community.

Bike rack along University Avenue installed by the City Heights Business Association

Bike racks

In collaboration with the City of San Diego, we installed bike racks throughout the district.

Street bench on Fairmount Ave

Benches

We purchased, installed and maintain a series of benches throughout the MAD.

City Heights Business Association purchased Bus Shelter

Bus Shelters

We purchased, installed, and maintains 9 bus shelters in the MAD.

Cigarette butt containers

Cigarette Disposal Stations

We partnered with I Love a Clean San Diego to install cigarette disposal stations at key locations throughout the district.

Pet waste bag dispenser

Dog Waste Bag Stations

We installed and maintain dog waste bag stations to keep our community clean.

City Heights Business Association

Dusk to Dawn Program

We collaborate with SDG&E to install and maintain additional lighting in alleys.

Planting trees

Landscaping

We sponsor landscaping projects throughout the MAD to beautify the streets.

Mural in west City Heights

Mural Program

We sponsor murals throughout the MAD to beautify the area and deter graffiti.

Sidewalk planter

Planters

We purchased, installed and maintain planters throughout the MAD.

Solar lights in the City Heights Maintenance Assessment District

Solar Lights Program

We purchased and installed solar lights throughout the district.

CHBA Painted Utility Boxes

Utility Box Painting Program

We collaborate with local artists to turn utility boxes into pieces of art.

Clean & Safe Program FAQ

A maintenance assessment district, or MAD, is a geographical area where property owners vote to assess themselves an additional tax in order to fund enhanced services or projects within the district's boundaries. The City Heights Business Association manages the City Heights MAD under contract with the City of San Diego. Daily maintenance within the district is performed by the staff of the CHBA Clean & Safe Program.

Yes, we are only contracted to provide services within the boundaries of the maintenance assessment district. This area includes University Avenue from Interstate 805 to 50th street and segments of 37th Street, Central Avenue, 43rd Street, and Fairmount Avenue.

No. The Clean & Safe Program is run by the City Heights Business Association, an independent-nonprofit contractor. 

Trash removal and sidewalk sweeping are performed daily in high traffic areas, including the intersections at University Ave. & Fairmount, and 50th & University; and the areas around 3802 University Ave. and 3729 University Ave.

Throughout the MAD, trash is removed at least twice a week and all sidewalks are swept at least once per week. High traffic areas are also power-washed once per week.  

We perform graffiti abatement in the MAD twice a week and on request. Our team takes a proactive role in monitoring graffiti in the MAD. Every morning our team members drive around the area to identify new graffiti. When graffiti is found we contact the appropriate business and property owners to ensure we have permission to remove it.

 

All bus stops in the MAD are power-washed on a monthly basis.

Yes you can! You can request services for any location within the MAD by completing our online maintenance request form.

We cannot service areas that are outside of the City Heights Maintenance Assessment District. If you need help, please submit your request to the City of San Diego using the Get It Done app

We cannot remove large or bulky items from properties or from streets and alleys. These requests must be reported to the City of San Diego through the Get it Done app

We are not contracted to trim trees. If you need a tree trimmed, please submit a request to the City of San Diego through the Get It Done app.

We do not remove homeless encampments. We report encampments to the city. Once the city removes the encampments we are able to clean up the area. 

Maintenance Requests

If you are aware of a maintenance or safety issue within the City Heights Maintenance Assessment District please let us know by submitting a maintenance request.

Requests outside of the Maintenance Assessment District

If your maintenance request is outside the Maintenance Assessment District or beyond our team's capabilities, please refer your concern to the City of San Diego through the Get It Done App.