Unincorporated San Mateo County enforces property maintenance through Ordinance Code Chapter 4.90 (Property Maintenance Code) and Chapter 4.48 (nuisances). Blight including peeling paint, broken windows, debris, and abandoned vehicles subject to 10-30 day correction notices.
San Mateo County Ordinance Code Chapter 4.90 adopts property maintenance standards including structural integrity, weather protection, exterior maintenance, and site maintenance. Chapter 4.48 declares specific conditions public nuisances: accumulated junk/debris, overgrown vegetation creating fire hazard, abandoned vehicles visible from street, damaged/unsafe structures, graffiti, and vacant buildings not secured. The Code Enforcement Division of the Planning and Building Department responds to complaints. Standard process: inspection → warning letter → formal Notice of Violation with 10-30 day correction deadline → administrative hearing → abatement by County with cost recovery lien. Vacant and abandoned properties may be required to register with the County. Coastal zone blight receives additional attention due to scenic corridor protections. Fire hazard vegetation in wildfire zones (Skyline, La Honda, Pescadero, Kings Mountain) handled by CalFire and County Fire under PRC §4291. Graffiti abatement available at owner request.
Notice of Violation with 10-30 day compliance. Administrative fines per SMC §1.20.040: $100 first, $200 second, $500 third, $1,000 each subsequent, per violation per day. County abatement with cost liened against property (tax lien collectible with property taxes). Repeat violators may face misdemeanor prosecution.
San Mateo County, CA
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San Mateo County, CA
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San Mateo County, CA
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San Mateo County, CA
Unincorporated San Mateo County enforces California Swimming Pool Safety Act (H&S Code §115920-115929) and CBC Chapter 31B. Minimum 60-inch barrier, self-clo...
San Mateo County, CA
Unincorporated San Mateo County requires building permits for retaining walls over 4 feet measured from bottom of footing to top of wall, per California Buil...
San Mateo County, CA
Unincorporated San Mateo County allows backyard chickens on residential parcels of at least 2,500 sq ft under the County Zoning Regulations. 2,500 to 7,500 s...
See how San Mateo County's property blight rules stack up against other locations.
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