Highland, CA Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Highland Municipal Code § 8.32.020(A)
- Minimum abatement period
- Not less than 10 days
- Hearing body
- Planning commission acting as the appeals board
- Appeal to city council
- In writing within 10 days of service of the order
- Enforcing official
- The building official
- Demolition orders recorded
- With the San Bernardino County recorder
Summary
In the City of Highland, California, a building that is dilapidated, dangerous, at risk of collapse, abandoned, boarded up, easy to enter, or unsafe is a public nuisance under Highland Municipal Code Section 8.32.020. The building official must give the owner an abatement period of not less than 10 days, and unresolved cases go to a hearing before the planning commission sitting as the appeals board.
A. A public nuisance is created by every building or structure which: 1. Has become dilapidated, dangerous or at risk of collapse resulting from decay, damage, faulty construction or arrangement, fire, wind, earthquake, flood, old age, or neglect; ... ... 4. Has been abandoned, partially destroyed, boarded up, or permitted to remain unreasonably in a state of partial construction; 5. Allows easy access into a vacant structure through any doorway, window, or other opening because of the failure to close and secure by lock and fails to protect against such entry without the use of substantial force; 6. Is unsafe; 7. Is left unpainted or which has paint deterioration, dry rot warping or lack of weather protection;
Full Breakdown
Chapter 8.32 of the Highland Municipal Code, Property Maintenance Requirements, gives the City of Highland its nuisance abatement process for buildings. Section 8.32.020(A) declares a public nuisance any building or structure that has become dilapidated, dangerous or at risk of collapse from decay, damage, faulty construction or arrangement, fire, wind, earthquake, flood, old age, or neglect. The same subsection reaches structures that are abandoned, partially destroyed, boarded up or left unreasonably in a state of partial construction, structures that allow easy access without substantial force because doors, windows or other openings are not closed and locked, unsafe structures, and buildings with paint deterioration, dry rot warping or lack of weather protection. Under Section 8.32.010, "building/structure" also covers fences, walls, billboards and any other manmade device within the property's legal boundaries.
The building official starts the process by notifying the owner and directing abatement. Section 8.32.030 requires an abatement period of not less than 10 days. If the owner does not abate, a notice of hearing goes out and the planning commission, which the chapter defines as the appeals board, hears sworn evidence. Section 8.32.110 then produces a written order that sets the time within which the work is commenced and completed and directs rehabilitation, repair or demolition. The owner has 10 days from service to appeal to the city council in writing, and the council resolves the appeal within 45 days of the city clerk receiving it.
Demolition carries a protection. Section 8.32.150 bars ordering demolition of a building built in accordance with the laws in effect at the time of construction unless in fairness and in justice there is no reasonable way other than demolition to correct the nuisance. An order requiring demolition of a habitable structure, or any building with a floor, four walls and a roof that is larger than 120 square feet, is recorded with the San Bernardino County recorder under Section 8.32.160. When conditions are an immediate threat to health, safety or welfare, Section 8.32.250 lets the building official order summary abatement without the notice or hearing.
Violations & Fines
Failing to comply with an abatement order is itself a violation under Section 8.32.200, as is removing a posted notice or obstructing city representatives. When the city does the work, the costs become a special assessment and a lien on the parcel, added to the San Bernardino County tax bill under Section 8.32.190. Section 8.32.240 lets the city attorney seek three times the abatement costs after a second or subsequent judgment within a two-year period.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a building a public nuisance in the City of Highland?
How long do I have to fix the problem after a notice?
Can the city demolish my building?
How do I appeal an abatement order?
Who pays for the city's abatement work?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Highland
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