Lehi, UT Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Vacant/partial-construction threshold
- 6+ months triggers nuisance
- Active construction
- Exempt while permit work is ongoing
- Qualifying defects
- Dry rot, termite decay, broken windows, missing doors
- Also covers
- Any building/fire/plumbing code violation
- Liable party
- Owner, lessee, occupant, successor
Summary
Lehi treats a building left unfit for human habitation, abandoned or partially destroyed for six months or more, or falling into serious disrepair as a nuisance the city can order abated, whether the problem is dry rot, missing windows, deteriorated exteriors, or a code violation on the structure.
Improper Maintenance: ... Maintenance of buildings and/or structures in such condition as to be deemed defective or in a condition of deterioration or disrepair, including, but not limited to: a. Any building or structure which is unfit for human habitation, or which is an unreasonable hazard to the health of people residing in the vicinity thereof, or which presents an unreasonable fire hazard in the vicinity where it is located; ... c. ... Buildings which are abandoned, partially destroyed, or left in an unreasonable state of partial construction for a period of six (6) months or longer.
Full Breakdown
Section 5-2-3(B)(25) of the Lehi City Code defines "improper maintenance" as maintaining a building or structure in a condition deemed defective or in a state of deterioration or disrepair, and lists seven qualifying conditions. That includes any building "unfit for human habitation" or an unreasonable fire or health hazard under subsection a; a building erected or altered contrary to city ordinance under subsection b; a building "abandoned, partially destroyed, or left in an unreasonable state of partial construction for a period of six (6) months or longer" under subsection c, unless it is under active construction; buildings with dry rot, termite infestation, decay or excessive cracking under subsection d; missing doors or broken windows under subsection e; deteriorated exteriors, fences, driveways or sidewalks under subsection f; and any condition that violates the city's building, electrical, plumbing, fire or housing codes under subsection g.
Because it sits inside the general nuisance chapter, the responsible person, including the owner, lessee or any occupant, is liable to the city for abatement expenses under section 5-2-5, and every successive owner who inherits an unabated nuisance from a prior owner remains responsible for it. The city enforces this chapter through its administrative code enforcement hearing program under section 5-2-6.
Violations & Fines
A building found in violation of section 5-2-3(B)(25) is subject to the city's administrative code enforcement hearing program, and the responsible owner, lessee or occupant is liable to the city for the cost of any abatement work; noncompliance with a code violation such as a building, electrical, plumbing, fire or housing code also independently triggers subsection g.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a building sit vacant or half-built in Lehi before it's a nuisance?
What building conditions count as blight under Lehi's code?
Can a code violation on my house be treated as a nuisance in Lehi?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lehi
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Property Blight in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Utah County handle property blight.