Inglewood's Property Maintenance: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles property maintenance a little differently. In Inglewood, California, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Property Blight

Inglewood Municipal Code Section 11-70.2 lists eighteen specific conditions that make a property a public nuisance, from abandoned and boarded-up buildings to structurally dangerous buildings under the Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings. Every listed condition is a tiered infraction, and the City Administrator can order abatement.

Key details: Governing section: IMC § 11-70.2 (18 listed nuisances). Correction notice period: Up to 30 days. Hearing body: Construction Appeals Board. Infraction fines: $100 / $200 / $500 tiered. Misdemeanor alternative: Up to $1,000 fine, 6 months jail.

Each of the eighteen conditions in Section 11-70.2 is an infraction under Section 1-18.1(a): $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second within one year, and $500 for each additional violation of the same section within that year. The City Prosecutor may instead pursue a misdemeanor under Section 11-70.7, punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and six months in jail, or seek a Superior Court injunction with attorneys' fees.

Snow & Sidewalk Clearing

Snow is extremely rare in Inglewood due to its Southern California coastal plain climate. No snow removal ordinance exists. Property owners are responsible for keeping sidewalks clear of debris under general property maintenance codes.

Key details: Snow Ordinance: None (snow extremely rare). Sidewalk: Keep clear of debris. Climate: Mild Southern California coastal plain. Topic: Snow Sidewalk Clearing.

The Bottom Line

Inglewood's property maintenance rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Inglewood is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Inglewood can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.