Los Angeles County health officials confirmed Wednesday they will investigate a Fairfax District home where trash and debris have once again piled up despite years of complaints and cleanup efforts.
Video from the scene Wednesday showed piles of trash covering the property in the 600 block of North Martel Avenue near Melrose Avenue.
“The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Division has been made aware of the current concerns, and a site investigation will be scheduled,” the department said in a statement.
“This investigation will evaluate the property for accumulation of trash and debris, potential sanitation issues, and evidence of vermin activity or infestation,” the statement continued.
The department said that if inspectors find violations requiring corrective action, notices will be sent to the property owner by certified mail and posted at the home, if accessible.
The findings will also be shared with the county Department of Mental Health and the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety to determine whether additional action is needed, according to the statement.
Environmental Health was last involved with the property during a multi-agency cleanup operation conducted by the city of Los Angeles in 2025, according to the department.
TMZ first reported Wednesday that county health officials were preparing to investigate the property.
The property drew widespread attention in April 2024 when Mayor Karen Bass visited the site, declared it a public health emergency and directed city crews to remove the accumulated debris.
City workers subsequently began clearing hundreds of bags of trash and other discarded materials from the front and back yards.
The problems predated that cleanup by years. City building officials ordered the homeowner to remove debris and overgrown vegetation in 2014.
The city filed misdemeanor charges in 2017 alleging failure to comply with an order and failure to maintain the property. The case was dismissed in 2019.