Del Norte County, CA Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

Del Norte County Code Chapter 7.08 declares numerous dangerous, unsightly, or blighted conditions to be public nuisances throughout the unincorporated county. The 'visual blight' definition includes the keeping, storing, depositing, scattering, or accumulation on premises of junk, trash, debris, scrap metal, rubbish, and packing materials. It also covers abandoned, wrecked, disabled, dismantled, or inoperative vehicles or parts. In urban zones, storing dirt, sand, gravel, or concrete for an unreasonable period that reduces neighborhood appearance is treated as blight. The county's Code Enforcement Division, within the Community Development Department, investigates complaints and enforces compliance with ordinances relating to zoning, grading, public nuisances (including visual blight), and recreational vehicles and tents. Enforcement is complaint-driven and follows a graduated process: receive complaint, investigate, contact the responsible party with required remedies and a compliance deadline, re-inspect, issue a second notice with a citation deadline if unresolved, and finally issue a citation that may lead to an administrative hearing. The county cites state weed and rubbish abatement law (Government Code sections 39500 et seq. and 39560 et seq.) as part of its nuisance authority. Property owners are responsible for keeping premises free of these blighted conditions; failure to abate after notice can result in citation, administrative penalties, and county-conducted abatement.