Imperial County, CA Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing code
- 1997 Uniform Code, Dangerous Buildings
- Citation
- Imperial County Code § 91008.00
- Appeals body
- County Board of Appeals, § 91002.16
- Enforcement
- Building Official cites under § 91008.02
- Scope
- Unincorporated Imperial County only
Summary
Imperial County has adopted the 1997 Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings, letting the Building Official declare unsafe or substandard structures a nuisance and order repair, vacation, or demolition across the unincorporated county.
The Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings, 1997 Edition, which has been adopted by the International Conference of Building Officials is hereby incorporated by reference and adopted as part of the Building Regulations of the County of Imperial, except as provided by Section 91008.01.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 62 - 9-25).
Full Breakdown
Under Imperial County Code § 91008.00, the county adopted the 1997 Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings as part of its building regulations for the unincorporated area. Section 91008.01 modifies the model code so appeals run to the county's own Board of Appeals under § 91002.16 rather than a separate dangerous-buildings board, and it strikes Sections 802 and 912 of the model code from county law. The Building Official or a designee can cite property owners under § 91008.02 for violations of any adopted building code, using the same citation authority that runs across Division 10.
Violations & Fines
Violating the adopted Dangerous Buildings Code lets the Building Official issue a citation under § 91008.02; unresolved dangerous conditions can also be pursued as a public nuisance under the county's separate Division 13 abatement procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply inside the City of Imperial or El Centro?
Who decides a building is dangerous in Imperial County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Imperial County
California rules heatmap·Compare Imperial County to another location·View the California property maintenance overview
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