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

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Governing chapter
Ch. 2.92 Public Nuisances
Abatement notice period
2 weeks to 2 months
Misdemeanor penalty
Up to $1,000 / 6 months jail
Infraction citation fees
$100 / $200 / $400
Citation appeal window
15 days from service
Cost recovery
Lien added to tax roll

Summary

Stanislaus County treats a dangerous or substandard building as a public nuisance under Code Chapter 2.92. Code enforcement can order abatement, refer the case for Uniform Housing Code proceedings, or take it straight to summary abatement, with unpaid costs becoming a lien on the parcel.

City-specific rules exist: Modesto has its own property blight rules that differ from Stanislaus County's county-level regulations. If you live in Modesto, check the city-specific page instead.

§ 2.92.070. Remedy—Abatement. If the owner, or person responsible for or committing the act that constitutes a nuisance, fails to correct the violation(s) within the time specified in the notice and order to abate, the director or his/her designee, may (a) request the district attorney, or request the board of supervisors to order the district attorney, to abate a public nuisance pursuant to Government Code section 26528(b), or initiate abatement proceedings as provided for by law, including, the Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings or the Uniform Housing Code, or (c) schedule a hearing for summary abatement proceedings under the police powers of the county and pursuant to Government Code Section 25845 as set forth in this section.

Full Breakdown

010(C)), which covers substandard and dangerous structures. 030 requires a written notice and order to abate, served personally, by certified mail, or by posting, giving the owner not less than two weeks nor more than two months to correct non-emergency structural or zoning problems. 070 lets the director request the district attorney abate the nuisance under Government Code § 26528(b), proceed under the Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings or the Uniform Housing Code, or schedule a summary abatement hearing under Government Code § 25845. 020. 060(E).

Violations & Fines

A property owner who ignores the notice and order to abate is guilty of a misdemeanor, separately chargeable for every day the nuisance continues, with fines up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail under § 1.36.010. The director may instead issue an administrative citation with penalty fees set under the infraction schedule of § 1.36.020 ($100 first offense, $200 second, $400 for each further offense within a year). Unpaid abatement costs and fines are recorded as a lien against the parcel and added to the property tax roll for collection, with the same foreclosure remedies used for delinquent taxes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who enforces dangerous-building rules in unincorporated Stanislaus County?
The department director responsible for the violated code provision, or their designee, per § 2.92.020. For structural and housing violations the director may proceed under the Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings or the Uniform Housing Code as authorized in § 2.92.070.
How long does an owner get to fix a dangerous building?
The notice and order to abate under § 2.92.030 sets a deadline of not less than two weeks nor more than two months for structural, plumbing, electrical, or zoning issues that are not an immediate danger, and owners may request an extension in writing under § 2.92.040.
Can the county put a lien on the property?
Yes. Under § 2.92.060(E), any confirmed administrative fine or abatement cost becomes a special assessment lien on the parcel once recorded with the county recorder, and it is collected on the regular property tax bill with the same delinquency remedies as ordinary taxes.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Stanislaus County

All Stanislaus County rules

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