Santa Clara County, CA Code Violation Reporting: Common Violations (2026)
Key Facts
- Vacant building
- blight after 180 days
- Overgrown vegetation
- 12+ inches, over half the yard
- Outdoor storage limit
- PODs/containers, 30 days max
- Enforced by
- Dept. of Planning and Development
Summary
Unincorporated Santa Clara County's Community Preservation ordinance defines "property blight", abandoned buildings, dead vegetation, illegal outdoor storage, junk vehicles, graffiti, as a public nuisance the county enforces under Division B38.
No Person shall cause or materially contribute to property blight. No Person who owns real property or who has the current right to possess real property in which property blight exists shall allow it to continue by his or her action or inaction.
(Ord. No. NS-300.932, 12-18-18)
Sec. B38-3. - Scope. The provisions of this Division are only applicable to privately-owned properties in Urban Residential or Commercial base districts as defined in County Zoning Ordinance Chapters 2.30 and 2.40.
(Ord. No. NS-300.932, 12-18-18)
Sec. B38-4. - Definitions. In addition to the definitions provided by Division A1 of this Code, and except as otherwise provided in this Division, the definitions set forth in this Section shall govern the application and interpretation of this Division.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 65).
Full Breakdown
Sec. B38-2 bars causing or allowing property blight to continue. Chapter II details what counts: buildings vacant 180+ days (Sec. B38-7), construction abandoned 270+ days (Sec. B38-8), disrepair visible 96+ hours such as broken exteriors or windows (Sec. B38-10), dead or overgrown vegetation over 12 inches covering more than half a yard or encroaching 12 inches onto a public right-of-way (Sec. B38-11), graffiti (Sec. B38-12), garbage and refuse violations (Sec. B38-13), impermissible outdoor storage such as shipping containers or PODs left over 30 days (Sec. B38-14), and stored, dismantled, or junk vehicles (Sec. B38-15). The rules apply only to privately-owned parcels in Urban Residential or Commercial base districts (Sec. B38-3).
Violations & Fines
Blighted property is declared a public nuisance the county may abate (Sec. B38-17), enforced through administrative citations under Division A37 by the Department of Planning and Development, other authorized county officers, or the Office of the County Counsel or District Attorney (Sec. B38-18, B38-19).
Frequently Asked Questions
What building conditions count as blight in unincorporated Santa Clara County?
Where do these blight rules apply?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Clara County
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Clara County to another location·View the California code violation reporting overview
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