Several highly valued services offered by the City of Vernon help make it an obvious choice for businesses looking to locate in Southern California. Outstanding fire and police protection, state-of-the-art fiber optics, and an excellent local health department create a secure and well supported work environment.

Vernon Fire Department

What other city the size of Vernon (5.2 square miles) can offer four state-of-the-art fire stations. All Vernon fire personnel receive the most advanced training and routinely provide assistance to other jurisdictions in the surrounding region.

Vernon's fire department (VFD) maintains four stations within the city's five square-miles that enable its firefighters and paramedics to achieve an average emergency response time of three minutes. Vernon's firefighters are highly trained to manage complex emergency incidents and equipped to deal with industrial fires and toxic hazards.

Vernon Police Department

Crime rates are low in Vernon compared to surrounding communities, and officers are trained to handle offenses unique to a commercial/industrial based community.

Vernon Police Department (VPD) responds to emergency calls in less than four minutes. Vernon police officers are specially trained and outfitted with the latest technology to investigate offenses unique to an industrial community.

Using mobile computer terminals in their patrol cars, officers can query criminal databases from the field and connect seamlessly with the Department's advanced communications center, which is fully integrated with its records management and E911 systems.

With its specialized units, the VPD maintains an effective community policing strategy.

Fiber Optics

The City of Vernon has installed 35 miles of fiber optic cable around town, allowing it to offer both “dark fiber” and “lit fiber” services. This advanced network of fiber optic cables provides businesses in Vernon with higher-speed access the Internet for lower-than-standard rates, and with the ability to manage virtual data transmissions between office buildings quickly, easily and affordably.

Environmental Health Department

The City of Vernon Health & Environmental Control Department is one of only four city health departments in the entire state of California. It is charged with monitoring and enforcing health-related municipal, state and federal laws, rules, ordinances and regulations related to public health and safety and the environment.

The focus of the department is on protecting the local environment and ensuring the health and safety of Vernon residents, workers, visitors and neighboring communities through emergency and disaster preparedness and educational campaigns.

H&ECD collects routine water samples throughout Vernon to ensure compliance with potability standards, including at USDA facilities and food processors. The Department provides annual water certification letters.

The Department also provides free plan check services for companies upgrading regulated facilities or undertaking new construction. These services ensure companies are in compliance with the latest health codes before construction begins, as part of the building permitting process in Vernon.

Vernon City Government

The City of Vernon exists as a municipal corporation, first established on Sept. 22, 1905. According to the city’s charter, elections are held the second Tuesday of every April when one of the five City Council seats becomes open.

Each Council member serves a staggered five-year term, and a majority vote determines which member will hold the title of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore. All five members have equal say, but the Mayor is the presiding officer at meetings and serves as the head of the City for ceremonial purposes.

The City Council appoints a City Administrator Vernon’s to oversee daily operations, public relations, legislative process and finances. The City Administrator’s Department also develops programs to benefit Vernon’s business community. The city administrator acts as chief staff adviser to the City Council, providing essential information for the council’s decision-making process.

The City Attorney's Office provides legal services for Vernon’s City Council, City officials and departments in the conduct of City business. The office handles and supervises the City’s legal needs including land use, public works construction, municipal finance, contracts and redevelopment, among other areas.

The Community Services & Water Department

There are four divisions within the Community Services & Water Department: Public Works, Building, Planning and Water.

Public Works

The City of Vernon Public Works Department offers a streamlined approach to permitting for new development. One counter serves as the central location to process permits and answer questions regarding building codes, zoning codes and work in the public right of way.

The Public Works Dept.’s duties and tasks include:

• Engineering design and contract administration of public improvements including roadway, traffic signals, sewer, storm drains and city owned buildings.
• Maintenance of the infrastructure utilizing both city employees and contractors, the maintenance of city owed buildings.
• Warehousing of city equipment, stock and supplies
• Maintenance of city owned vehicles

Building Division

The Building division is responsible for ensuring that all construction within the City is performed in accordance with the California Building Codes and amended by the City. Additionally, this division is also responsible for code enforcement ensuring that properties are being maintained in accordance with City regulations. 

Planning Division

The City’s Planning Division is responsible for the development and oversight of the General Plan for Vernon. The General Plan establishes guiding principles on how the City will be developed and maintained through a series of written and approved goals and policies. The land use element of the General Plan is the basis for the City of Vernon’s Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance.

Water Division

The Water division is responsible for providing and recycling potable water service to the majority of our community via a network of reservoirs, wells and piping systems. The Insurance Service Organization (ISO) has classified the Vernon system as a Class 1 System, the highest rating possible. Vernon’s water rates are among the lowest in the region.