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

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

Key Facts

Governing section
County Code § 15.04.250
Applies to
Unincorporated county only
Max criminal fine
$1,000, 6 months jail
Cost recovery
Lien / special tax assessment
Immediate hazard power
Building official can order vacate

Summary

Riverside County declares any substandard building in the unincorporated area a public nuisance and can order it vacated, abate it, and bill the owner for the cost.

City-specific rules exist: Corona, Menifee, Moreno Valley, Murrieta, Palm Springs, Riverside, and Temecula have their own property blight rules that differ from Riverside County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

Every substandard building or portion thereof as defined in Sections 17920.3 or 17920.10 of the California Health and Safety Code, as may be amended from time to time, located within the unincorporated areas of the County of Riverside ("county") which is caused, maintained or permitted to exist shall be and the same is hereby declared unlawful and a public nuisance that may be abated consistent with the procedures in this section.

Source: Riverside County Code EnforcementView official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 84 Update 1).

Full Breakdown

Under County Code Section 15.04.250, a building meeting the state definition of "substandard" in Health and Safety Code Section 17920.3 or 17920.10 is automatically an unlawful public nuisance if it sits in unincorporated Riverside County. County inspectors can enter and photograph the property, and the building official can post an immediate "Order to Vacate" if the hazard is extreme. Abatement costs become a lien and special tax assessment against the property, and the County can also pursue an injunction through County Counsel.

Violations & Fines

Misdemeanor, up to $1,000 fine and/or 6 months jail; each day of continued violation is a separate offense; abatement costs recorded as a lien/special assessment on the property.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this apply inside the city of Riverside or Moreno Valley?
No. It only reaches the unincorporated county; Riverside, Moreno Valley, Corona, Temecula and the other 24 cities enforce their own building codes.
Can the County force me out of a substandard building?
Yes. If the building official finds an extreme, imminent hazard, they can issue a written Order to Vacate and post it at every entrance until repairs are done.
Who pays for the abatement work?
The owner. Costs are recovered under Ordinance No. 725's cost-recovery procedure and can be recorded as a lien and special tax assessment on the property.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Riverside County

Noise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsVacant Lot MaintenanceSignificant RestrictionsSnow & Sidewalk ClearingFew RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic ZoningSome RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Native PlantsSome Restrictions

All Riverside County rules

California rules heatmap·Compare Riverside County to another location·View the California property maintenance overview

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Property Blight in Cities Across Riverside County

Riverside, CAMoreno Valley, CACorona, CATemecula, CAMurrieta, CAPalm Springs, CAJurupa Valley, CAMenifee, CA