OCCO Title 3, Division 13 (Property Maintenance) establishes comprehensive standards for property upkeep in unincorporated Orange County. Article 1 prohibits junk and debris accumulation, inoperable vehicles, substandard housing, lawn parking, polluted pools, and garage conversions to living space. OC Development Services Neighborhood Preservation enforces these standards.
Under OCCO Title 3, Division 13, Article 1, property blight violations in unincorporated Orange County include: accumulation of junk, trash, and debris; inoperable or abandoned vehicles; substandard housing conditions; deteriorated roofs and structures; lawn parking (vehicles parked on unpaved surfaces); polluted or unmaintained swimming pools; unauthorized residential use of garages; and unauthorized business operations in residential zones. Article 2 addresses graffiti abatement. Article 4.5 covers unauthorized canopies and shade structures. The Neighborhood Preservation program operates on the 'Broken Window Theory,' emphasizing that addressing small violations prevents community deterioration. Complaints can be filed at myOCeServices.ocgov.com or by calling 866-552-8120. Code enforcement officers conduct inspections and work with property owners toward voluntary compliance before escalating enforcement actions.
Enforcement follows a progressive approach: courtesy notice, notice of violation, re-inspection, civil citations (fines), abatement at the owner's expense, property liens, civil litigation referral, and/or criminal charges. Each day of continued violation may constitute a separate offense. The County may record liens against properties with uncorrected violations.
Midway City, CA
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Orange County, CA
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Orange County, CA
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Orange County, CA
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Orange County.
See how other cities in Orange County handle property blight.
See how Midway City's property blight rules stack up against other locations.
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