El Dorado County, CA Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Dangerous building code
- El Dorado County Code Ch. 110.36
- Nuisance/enforcement chapter
- El Dorado County Code Ch. 9.02
- Appeal body
- Nuisance Abatement Hearing Board
- Misdemeanor penalty
- up to $1,000 or 6 months jail
- Infraction alternative
- up to $500 fine
Summary
El Dorado County enforces the Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings against unsafe structures and treats junk accumulation, visual blight, and unmaintained pools as public nuisances. Violations are misdemeanors, and owners can appeal abatement orders to the Nuisance Abatement Hearing Board.
The latest duly adopted Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings at the time of the proposed abatement, as published by the International Conference of Building Officials, are hereby adopted by reference for use in El Dorado County... A swimming pool, pond, or other body of water which is abandoned, unattended, unfiltered, or otherwise un-maintained, wherein the water becomes polluted by bacterial growth, algae, remains or nesting sites of insects or deceased animals or reptiles, rubbish, refuse, debris or other foreign matter, thereby creating an unhealthy, unsafe, or unsightly condition.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 13 Update 4).
Full Breakdown
36 adopts by reference the latest Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings, as published by the International Conference of Building Officials, for use against unsafe structures countywide, along with the notice-of-abatement procedures in Title 25 of the California Code of Regulations. 02, and affected owners are liable for fines and enforcement measures set out in that same chapter. 02 defines the public nuisance conditions the County targets: junk (trash, inoperable appliances, unregistered vehicle hulks, and construction debris), junkyards, visual blight (any deteriorated or unlawful condition detrimental to neighboring property or offensive to a person of reasonable sensibilities), and specifically an abandoned, unattended, unfiltered pool, pond, or other body of water that becomes polluted and creates an unhealthy or unsightly condition.
Any violation of the California Building, Fire, Housing, Plumbing, Mechanical, or Electrical codes is separately declared a nuisance. The Enforcement Official, defined broadly to include the Sheriff, Fire Chief, code enforcement officers, and department directors, has authority to inspect property and issue notices and orders, though officers may not carry firearms while doing so. 045 to prevent, remove, or abate a nuisance once they know or have reason to know it exists.
Violations & Fines
Maintaining a public nuisance or dangerous building is a misdemeanor under Section 9.02.050, punishable by a fine up to $1,000.00 or up to six months in jail, with each day of continuing violation a separate offense; the District Attorney may reduce it to an infraction capped at $500.00. The County can also impose administrative fees to recover abatement costs, revoke or condition related permits and licenses, and require a performance bond to secure compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What code does El Dorado County use to condemn a dangerous building?
Can I appeal an order to fix or demolish my building?
Does an unmaintained pool count as blight in El Dorado County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in El Dorado County
California rules heatmap·Compare El Dorado County to another location·View the California property maintenance overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.