Lake County, CA Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

Lake County Code Article VII of Chapter 5, the Vacant Structures Ordinance, finds that vacant structures "attract vagrants and criminals," invite arson and dumping, and "are a blight and cause deterioration and instability in neighborhoods" (Sec. 5-30). It applies countywide in the unincorporated area. Under Sec. 5-34 it is unlawful to maintain a vacant structure that is not boarded per Sec. 5-35, that contains waste, rubbish or debris inside, or whose premises hold waste, rubbish, debris or excessive vegetation. Securing standards in Sec. 5 and 616.

The County Building Official may instead require a security fence. A boarding permit under Sec. 5-37 is mandatory before boarding: the owner applies within 30 days of vacancy, supplies a vacancy timeline and maintenance plan, then must complete boarding within 10 days of permit issuance. The permit runs 6 months, is renewable once for up to 6 more months, and beyond that only on a documented showing of "good cause" for an additional 3 months. If the Building Official finds a violation, Sec. 5-38 authorizes a Notice of Nuisance by mail or personal service under Sec.

13-6, giving the owner a chance to respond before the county secures the structure itself, erects a fence, and pursues administrative penalties or abatement under Chapter 13. Sec. 5-39 lets the county recover abatement costs, labor, materials and administrative costs as a lien against the property, plus permit and reinspection fees set in the Building and Safety Division fee schedule under Sec. 5-9.