HomeMy WebLinkAboutCode Enforcement Complaint – Suspected Unpermitted Construction at 2514 Reata Pl, Diamond Bar, CA 91765(0017)From: Esmeralda Magallanes
Se nt: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 7:50:07 AM
To: Raymond Tao; Sandi Jimenez
Cc: Frank Santana
Subje ct: RE: Code Enforcement Complaint – Suspected Unpermitted Construction at 2514 Reata Pl, Diamond Bar, CA 91765
Se nsitivity: Normal
He beat us to it.
Esm eralda Magallanes | Permit Serv ices Coordinat or
City of Diamond Bar | Building & Safety Division
21810 Copley Driv e, Diamond Bar, CA 91765
t (909) 839-7035| (909) 839-7000 main | f (909) 861-3117
emagallanes@diamondbarca.gov | www.DiamondBarCA.gov
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From: Raymond Tao <RTao@DiamondBarCA.Gov>
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 7:49 AM
To: Esmeralda Magallanes <EMagallanes@DiamondBarCA.Gov>; Sandi Jimenez <SJimenez@DiamondBarCA.Gov>
Cc: Frank Santana <FSantana@DiamondBarCA.Gov>
Subject: RE: Code Enforcement Complaint – Suspected Unpermitted Construction at 2514 Reata Pl, Diamond Bar, CA 91765
Good morning Esmmy,
I spoke to Frank this morning. It looks like it’s on the schedule for today so we should be good.
Ra ymond Tao l Building Official
City of Dia mond Ba r l Building and Safety Division
21810 Copley Drive l Diamond Bar, CA 91765-4178
909.839.7021 l 909.396.7486 (f)
www.DiamondBarCA.gov
From: Esmeralda Magallanes <EMagallanes@DiamondBarCA.Gov>
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 7:47 AM
To: Raymond Tao <RTao@DiamondBarCA.Gov>; Sandi Jimenez <SJimenez@DiamondBarCA.Gov>
Cc: Frank Santana <FSantana@DiamondBarCA.Gov>
Subject: RE: Code Enforcement Complaint – Suspected Unpermitted Construction at 2514 Reata Pl, Diamond Bar, CA 91765
Good morning Raymond,
Ok. Hopefully he’s available this week.
@Sandi Jimenez – This is for one of you assigned projects. Please reach out to the contractor to see if you can set up a progress inspection this week. We will be receiving a PRR and want to be prepared to respond.
Thank you,
Esm eralda Magallanes | Permit Serv ices Coordinat or
City of Diamond Bar | Building & Safety Division
21810 Copley Driv e, Diamond Bar, CA 91765
t (909) 839-7035| (909) 839-7000 main | f (909) 861-3117
emagallanes@diamondbarca.gov | www.DiamondBarCA.gov
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From: Raymond Tao <RTao@DiamondBarCA.Gov>
Sent: Monday, June 22, 2026 5:35 PM
To: Esmeralda Magallanes <EMagallanes@DiamondBarCA.Gov>
Cc: Frank Santana <FSantana@DiamondBarCA.Gov>
Subject: RE: Code Enforcement Complaint – Suspected Unpermitted Construction at 2514 Reata Pl, Diamond Bar, CA 91765
Hi Esmmy,
It would be appropriate to make sure they are progressing consistent with plans but we will need to contact the contractor so we can obtain access. It seems they are headed the right way but we could just tell them we want to make a progress inspection to check if they need floor
sheathing.
Ra ymond Tao l Building Official
City of Dia mond Ba r l Building and Safety Division
21810 Copley Drive l Diamond Bar, CA 91765-4178
909.839.7021 l 909.396.7486 (f)
www.DiamondBarCA.gov
From: Esmeralda Magallanes <EMagallanes@DiamondBarCA.Gov>
Sent: Monday, June 22, 2026 3:57 PM
To: Raymond Tao <RTao@DiamondBarCA.Gov>
Cc: Frank Santana <FSantana@DiamondBarCA.Gov>
Subject: FW: Code Enforcement Complaint – Suspected Unpermitted Construction at 2514 Reata Pl, Diamond Bar, CA 91765
I t looks like the last inspection was for footings. Did you want me to set up a progress inspection for this week in anticipation of that public records request?
Esm eralda Magallanes | Permit Serv ices Coordinat or
City of Diamond Bar | Building & Safety Division
21810 Copley Driv e, Diamond Bar, CA 91765
t (909) 839-7035| (909) 839-7000 main | f (909) 861-3117
emagallanes@diamondbarca.gov | www.DiamondBarCA.gov
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From: Gabriela Fernandez <GFernandez@DiamondBarCA.Gov>
Sent: Monday, June 22, 2026 3:07 PM
Arlene Laviera | Administrativ e Coordinator
City of Diamond Bar | Community Dev elopment
21810 Copley Driv e, Diamond Bar, CA 91765
t 909.839.7030 | 909.839.7000 main | f 909.861.3117
ALav iera@DiamondBarCA.Gov | www.DiamondBarCA.gov
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To: Arlene Laviera <ALaviera@DiamondBarCA.Gov>; Mark Hernandez <MHernandez@DiamondBarCA.Gov>; Esmeralda Magallanes <EMagallanes@DiamondBarCA.Gov>; Raymond Tao <RTao@DiamondBarCA.Gov>
Cc: Sandi Jimenez <SJimenez@DiamondBarCA.Gov>; Ana Vasquez <AVasquez@DiamondBarCA.Gov>; Tressa Brown <TBrown@DiamondBarCA.Gov>; Mayuko Nakajima <MNakajima@DiamondBarCA.Gov>; Rudy Lopez <RLopez@DiamondBarCA.Gov>; Grace Lee <GLee@DiamondBarCA.Gov>
Subject: RE: Code Enforcement Complaint – Suspected Unpermitted Construction at 2514 Reata Pl, Diamond Bar, CA 91765
All
I checked the inspection logs and noted that inspections were conducted by Frank, with the most recent inspection occurring on May 6. I would expect that if any work had been performed without the required permits, it would have been identified during those inspections.
I also attempted to contact the reporting party, but there was no answer. In his letter, he indicated that he intends to submit a Public Records Request. I believe that pursuing a PRR is the appropriate process for obtaining the information he is seeking.
Gabriela Fernandez | Neighborhood I mprov ement Officer
City of Diamond Bar | Community Dev elopment Department
909.839.7022
From: Arlene Laviera <ALaviera@DiamondBarCA.Gov>
Sent: Monday, June 22, 2026 1:10 PM
To: Mark Hernandez <MHernandez@DiamondBarCA.Gov>; Gabriela Fernandez <GFernandez@DiamondBarCA.Gov>; Esmeralda Magallanes <EMagallanes@DiamondBarCA.Gov>; Raymond Tao <RTao@DiamondBarCA.Gov>
Cc: Sandi Jimenez <SJimenez@DiamondBarCA.Gov>; Ana Vasquez <AVasquez@DiamondBarCA.Gov>; Tressa Brown <TBrown@DiamondBarCA.Gov>; Mayuko Nakajima <MNakajima@DiamondBarCA.Gov>; Rudy Lopez <RLopez@DiamondBarCA.Gov>; Grace Lee <GLee@DiamondBarCA.Gov>
Subject: FW: Code Enforcement Complaint – Suspected Unpermitted Construction at 2514 Reata Pl, Diamond Bar, CA 91765
Hello Mark/Gabby,
Please see attached complaint of suspected unpermitted construction at 2514 Reata Place. A permit was issued in February of this year for an addition to the second story of the subject property. Please respond to the reporting party at your earliest convenience. Thank you.
From: xyu forever <foreverxyu@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, June 22, 2026 12:56 PM
To: Arlene Laviera <ALaviera@DiamondBarCA.Gov>
Subject: Re: Code Enforcement Complaint – Suspected Unpermitted Construction at 2514 Reata Pl, Diamond Bar, CA 91765
CAUTION: This email originated from outside your organization. Exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking links, especially from unknown senders.
David Xu
2248 N Euclid Ave
Upland, CA 91784
Phone: (626) 500-6661
Email: foreverxyu@gmail.com
June 22, 2026
VIA CERTIFIED MAIL – RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, AND BY EMAIL
City of Diamond Bar
Attn: Neighborhood Improvement Division (Code Enforcement)
Community Development Department
21810 Copley Drive
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
Phone: (909) 839-7030
Email: planning@diamondbarca.gov
Re: Code Enforcement Complaint – Suspected Unpermitted Construction at 2514 Reata Pl, Diamond Bar, CA 91765
To the Neighborhood Improvement Division:
I am submitting this letter as a formal code enforcement complaint regarding construction activity at 2514 Reata Pl, Diamond Bar, CA 91765. I am the owner of the adjacent property at 2510 Reata Pl, Diamond Bar, CA 91765.
As shown in the enclosed photographs, taken from my property, the work at 2514 Reata Pl includes removal of exterior wall sheathing over a substantial portion of the structure, an apparent new second-story window opening facing directly into my backyard and pool area, and visible
modification to the roofline. I have not observed any posted permit card or public notice at the site, and I have no information confirming that this work is authorized by a valid building permit or planning entitlement.
I am requesting that the Neighborhood Improvement Division:
1. Investigate whether the work currently underway at 2514 Reata Pl is covered by a valid, active building permit and, if applicable, planning entitlement, consistent with the scope of work shown in the enclosed photographs.
2. If no such permit or entitlement is on file, or if the work exceeds the scope of any permit issued, take appropriate enforcement action, which may include a stop-work order and requiring the property owner to submit complete plans for review.
3. Advise me of the case or complaint number assigned to this matter, and the expected timeline for an initial site inspection.
I understand that this complaint may be handled confidentially with respect to my identity as the complainant, to the extent permitted by the City's standard practice, and I would appreciate confirmation of how the City handles complainant information in code enforcement matters.
I am also submitting a related, more detailed inquiry to the Planning Division under separate cover, which includes a formal Public Records Act request concerning permits, entitlements, and notification records for this same property. This complaint may be treated as a companion
to that inquiry, or processed independently, whichever is more appropriate for your department's procedures.
Please contact me by phone or email with any questions, or to arrange a site visit. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
David Xu
2248 N Euclid Ave, Upland, CA 91784
Enclosures: Photographs (2)
Photo 1: View of 2514 Reata Pl from 2510 Reata Pl, tak en June 2026
Photo 2: View from b ack yard/pool area at 2510 Reata Pl toward 2514 Reata Pl