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

Tulare County's Public Nuisance Ordinance (County Code Title 4, Chapter 1, enacted under Government Code sections 25845 and 25845.5) governs blight in the unincorporated area. Section 4-01-1085 makes it the duty of every real-property owner to prevent a public nuisance from arising on their land. Section 4-01-1070 declares numerous conditions to be public nuisances, including any condition that constitutes 'visual blight to a reasonable person of average sensibilities.' The code defines visual blight to include the keeping, storing, depositing or accumulation of junk, trash, debris, scrap metal, wood, rubbish or packing materials, and abandoned or unused objects such as furniture, stoves, appliances, refrigerators, freezers, cans, containers, motor vehicles, or automotive parts. Enforcement officers include the Director of the Resource Management Agency (RMA Code Compliance), the County Health Officer, Agricultural Commissioner, Fire Chief, and Sheriff. When a nuisance is found, the officer serves a notice of violation and order to abate; section 4-01-1145 requires that the owner be given a reasonable time to abate that 'shall not be less than ten (10) calendar days' unless another law sets a different period. Owners may request administrative review within 10 days and appeal to the County Hearing Officer.