about the history of the City &
La Habra Heights Improvement Association (LHHIA)
If you know something that should be added here, please let us know
To get a FREE copy of the "Story or La Habra Heights" DVD about the history of the City &
the "Living on the Urban Edge" DVD 
about coexisting with Wildlife, please contact us 
La Habra Heights does not directly supply many services. This works pretty well.
Police services are contracted out to the LA Sheriffs Department
Fire Services are ably provided by the Volunteer Fire Department
Water is provided by the La Habra Heights Water District
Sewer services are in your back yard. (septic tank)
Street cleaning is done by you and a broom.
There are two companies that pick-up trash
Waste Management (800-937-9278) on Thursdays and Haul Away (323-721-0371) on Wednesdays
Commentary - The host (me) has used both these services because I was generating a lot of trash & branches as I cleaned up and fixed up the house. It is less expensive to have 2 pick-ups a week than to get a big bin and have it picked up weekly.
It also gives me a chance to pace myself, rather than have everything out on one day.
Waste Management will take just about anything you put out.
Haul Away will take the number of barrels you contract for, any more you have to call them in advance and there may be an additional charge. If you don't call them about extra waste, they may just leave it there.
Please remember not to leave your empty barrels out all week, it doesn't look good.
If you like high prices and having to carry "savings cards" with you, you will love Albertson's, Ralphs and Vons
No cards are needed at Stater Brothers (Whittier & Harbor), and Fresh & Easy (Whittier & Beach).
There are plenty of "ethnic" groceries and variety stores too, such as:
Claro's Italian Food at the corner of Euclid and Whittier Blvd
The host has sensitive taste buds and doesn't care for spicy or multi-ingredient foods, so please send in your favorite places to buy those.
Before La Habra Heights was a city, the Improvement Association was the de facto local government. For 60 years they were doing things to improve the community.
Now, they sponsor the Music In The Park in the summer months, Seasonal Clean-ups, and other activities. They mail a monthly newsletter to all addresses in the Heights, called "Heights Life".
Now that you are a country dweller you will see and hear things you haven't when in the city.
The serenade of nightly howling is just the coyotes.
That rustling you hear outside at night isn't a prowler but is probably a raccoon, opposum, skunk, or other critter.
Those are hawks you see circling overhead.
Generally, when you see something walking or slithering by, if you don't bother it, it won't bother you.
If you are bordering the wilderness corridor you can see deer, fox, bobcat, even mountain lion.
La Habra Heights has no paper of it's own. Local news can be found in
Heights Life - Covers activities and social events, occasional news
Heights Town News - Periodic in-depth reports on City news and issues
90631 La Habra - Bi-weekly
Fences and Property Lines
Fences you see may or may not have any relationship to property lines and street rights of way. It is unwise to assume a fence represents a property line. Experts recommend getting a property survey before you buy your house, or before you do anything that requires knowing for sure where a property line is.
The City owned road rights-of-way are 40 - 80 feet wide, even though the paved street may only be 16 - 22 feet wide. That means your property . Depending on where the road lies within the right-of-way, your property may not begin until even 40 feet from the edge of pavement. Before you unknowingly spend money making physical improvements on city property, check where the city lineends and yours begins.
To prevent fires, you need to remove (cut to the ground) all the weeds from your property by about May 1st of each year.
A weed is grass or plants that you do not keep watered (or that does not stay green on it's own) throughout the year.
You will get a notice about this in the mail during each spring.
The host finds it is easier to cut the weeds back every couple of weeks, rather than wait 'til they are 4 feet high. This keeps your yard looking better and also allows the cuttings to decompose rather than have to be carried off.(Saves money too)
There are no street lights in La Habra Heights.
This is so no one can find their way after dark...............just kidding.
Lack of street lights helps keep a rural feel. It also enhances the "city lights" view. Try to keep your outside lighting to a minimum so you do not wash out your neighbor's view with glare.
Fortunately there are not many criminals in the Heights, so you don't really need lights on all night for security. In fact, lack of light may make your house harder for them to find.
A site for those interested in low impact lighting and "Dark Skies"
Views require a cooperative effort. Sometimes you may need to trim a neighbor's trees or shrubs to restore your view. Sometimes a neighbor may ask to trim your shrubs to enhance their view.
If the trimming will not impinge on your privacy try to be cooperative.
Remember though to always ask before you cut and clean up after yourself.
If you cut without asking, it might be many years (if ever) before your neighbor lets you cut again.
Views are protected by City Codes. No one can build a home over 16 feet tall if it blocks your primary view. However, though the codes say the burden of proof is on the applicant (builder) to prove he is not taking a view away, the present City administration appears to require the neighbor to prove he is losing a view. We all must be on guard and ready to protect our views, property rights, and property values. Remember to try and help your neighbor when he is threatened with view loss, because you may be next.
Catholic
Our Lady of Guadelupe
La Habra Blvd
La Habra
691-0533
Christian
La Habra Christian Church
1400 Bella Vista
LHH
691-0514
Congregational
Hillcrest Congregational
2000 West Rd
LHH
947-3755
Friends
15911 E Whittier
Whittier
947-9441
Jewish
Beth Shalom of Whittier
14564 E Hawes
Whittier
941-8744
Lutheran
Hope Lutheran
10327 Valley Home
Whittier
943-3888
Presbyterian
La Habra Hills Presbyterian
951 N Idaho
La Habra
693-3296
Many more churches. See your phone book
Please email any
questions or comments
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