How Clovis Handles Property Maintenance: A Practical Guide

Clovis maintains 112 local ordinances across all categories, and 5 of those deal specifically with property maintenance. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Clovis falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Garage Sale Rules

Clovis permits residential garage sales without a permit, limited to a few per year per household. Signs on public right-of-way prohibited.

Key details: Permit: Not required. Sales Per Year: 3-4 per address. Duration: 2-3 days each. Off-Site Signs: Prohibited. Continuous Sales: Business license.

Illegal signage removed without notice; repeat violations $50-$100 fine. Commercial/continuous sales require business license.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Clovis gives residents more flexibility on garage sale rules.

Property Blight

Clovis Code Enforcement addresses blight under CMC Title 8 nuisance provisions. Common violations: overgrown weeds, inoperable vehicles, accumulated debris, graffiti.

Key details: Code: CMC Title 8. Weed Height: Over 12 inches. Graffiti Removal: 7-10 days. Fines: $100-$500. Abatement Lien: Costs + 25%.

Administrative citations: $100 first, $200 second, $500 third within 12 months. City may abate and lien property for cleanup costs + 25% admin.

Vacant Lot Maintenance

Vacant lot owners in Clovis must keep weeds under 12 inches and remove debris. Weed abatement program runs annually in spring; city can abate and lien.

Key details: Weed Limit: 12 inches. Notice: Annual spring. Compliance Window: 30 days. Lien Surcharge: 25-40% admin. Code: CMC Title 8.

Non-compliance: admin citation $100-$500; abatement lien = cleanup cost + 25-40% admin fee.

Trash Bin Storage

Clovis residents use city-provided trash, recycling, and green waste carts. Carts may be placed at curb no earlier than 5 PM day before pickup; removed by end of pickup day.

Key details: Carts: 3 (trash/recycle/organics). Put Out: After 5 PM day before. Remove By: End of pickup day. Storage: Out of public view. State Law: SB 1383 organics.

Cart storage/placement violations: $50-$100 warning-first. SB 1383 contamination fees per incident.

Snow & Sidewalk Clearing

Not applicable. Clovis is in the San Joaquin Valley (Central Valley) and does not receive measurable snowfall. No snow removal ordinance exists.

Key details: Snow Events: Extremely rare. Clearing Ordinance: None. Climate: Mediterranean. General Sidewalk: §5610 owner duty. Elevation: ~360 ft.

Clovis is more permissive than most cities when it comes to snow & sidewalk clearing. That said, there are still limits.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Clovis gives residents more room on property maintenance. 2 of the 5 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

This guide is based on Clovis's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.