Merced, CA Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Merced Municipal Code Sec. 8.40.070(B),(V)
- Dangerous building standard
- Health & Safety Code Sec. 17920.3
- Notice minimum
- 7 days to correct (Sec. 8.40.100)
- Appeal right
- Hearing officer under Sec. 8.40.140
- Repeat violation
- Treble abatement costs, Sec. 8.40.210
Summary
Merced Municipal Code Section 8.40.070 declares a long list of property conditions a public nuisance, including buildings left abandoned or in partial construction and any structure that qualifies as a substandard or dangerous building under state Health and Safety Code Section 17920.3. Code enforcement can order abatement, hold a hearing, and bill the owner.
It is declared a public nuisance for any person owning, leasing, occupying, or having charge of any premises in this city to maintain such premises in such manner that any of the following conditions are found to exist thereon including, but not limited to, those stated in this section: ... B.Buildings which are abandoned, partially destroyed, or permitted to remain for an unreasonable period of time in a state of partial construction; ... V.The maintenance of any premises, building, dwelling, or dwelling unit in such condition as to be detrimental to the public health, safety, or general welfare or in such a manner as to constitute a public nuisance, substandard building, or dangerous building as these terms are defined in Health and Safety Code Section 17920.3, 1997 Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings, or Title 17 of this code, as amended from time to time;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 85 - 1-26).
Full Breakdown
070 opens with a broad declaration: it is a public nuisance for anyone 'owning, leasing, occupying, or having charge of any premises' to maintain conditions listed in the section's 30 lettered subsections. 3, the 1997 Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings, or Title 17 of the Merced code. 120. 140, where a city-designated hearing officer can uphold, modify, or rescind the order. 150. 200.
Violations & Fines
A blighted or dangerous building is a misdemeanor under Section 8.40.250, punishable per Chapter 1.12. Beyond criminal exposure, the city can abate the condition itself and bill the owner for its full abatement costs plus 10 percent annual interest after 60 days (Section 8.40.190), record a nuisance abatement lien or special assessment against the property (Section 8.40.200), and, on a second finding within two years, ask a court to order treble abatement costs under Section 8.40.210.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a building 'blighted' under Merced's code?
What happens after code enforcement flags a dangerous building?
Can Merced put a lien on a blighted property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Merced
California rules heatmap·Compare Merced to another location·View the California property maintenance overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.