Property Maintenance in Orange County, CA (2026)

3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 10 cities in Orange County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Orange County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Property Blight

In unincorporated Orange County, property that is not maintained to the standards in County Codified Ordinance Title 3, Division 13 (Property Maintenance) and is detrimental to public health, safety, or welfare is a declared public nuisance (Sec. 3-13-3) under Civil Code 3479-3503. Blight includes peeling paint, broken windows, dilapidated walls/fences, graffiti, and deteriorated structures (Sec. 3-13-7).

Orange County Property Blight & Maintenance Standards

Some Restrictions

California Vehicle Code § 22660

22660. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a city, county, or city and county may adopt an ordinance establishing procedures for the abatement and removal, as public nuisances, of abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicles or parts thereof from private or public property, and for the recovery, pursuant to Section 25845 or 38773.5 of the Government Code, or assumption by t...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Vacant Lot Maintenance

Unincorporated Orange County requires every vacant lot to stay clear of rubbish, litter, and weeds, and empowers code enforcement to fence and secure the property if it becomes a nuisance.

Orange County Vacant Lot Weeds and Rubbish Rules

Some Restrictions

Orange County Codified Ordinances § 3-13-9

(a) Mandatory standards. All vacant real property in county territory shall be secured and maintained at a level not less than the following standards during the time period that such property remains vacant real property: ... (2) Rubbish, litter and weeds: All landscaped, concrete, dirt, or paved open areas on the real property and adjoining public parkway shall be kept clear of rubbish, litte...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Snow & Sidewalk Clearing

Orange County, California does not experience snowfall in its unincorporated communities and has no snow removal or sidewalk snow-clearing ordinance. Coastal and inland Southern California climate means this regulation is not applicable. Standard sidewalk maintenance falls under general property maintenance provisions.

Orange County Unincorporated Snow and Sidewalk Clearing

Some Restrictions

California Streets & Highways Code § 5610

5610. The owners of lots or portions of lots fronting on any portion of a public street or place when that street or place is improved or if and when the area between the property line of the adjacent property and the street line is maintained as a park or parking strip, shall maintain any sidewalk in such condition that the sidewalk will not endanger persons or property and maintain it in a ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗