Washoe County, NV Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- WCC 50.308(1)-(2)
- Minimum notice
- 30 days to abate the condition
- Appeal window
- 14 days to request a hearing
- Lien threshold
- Penalties over $5,000 after 180 days
- Enforcement
- Code enforcement and administrative hearing officer
Summary
Washoe County treats any dangerous condition or structure, and any property left in a state of disrepair that harms neighbors or contributes to blight, as a public nuisance under WCC 50.308(1)-(2). Code enforcement can order repairs or abatement, record a lien for costs, and pursue a hearing officer or district court if the owner ignores the notice.
1.The existence of any dangerous condition or structure, or any property in a condition adverse or detrimental to public health, safety, or general welfare. A short-term rental (STR) operated without the required permit shall be deemed a public nuisance due to the potential nuisance impacts related to parking, garbage, noise, and higher occupancy, and by the danger posed to surrounding properties created by an unpermitted use that has not passed required inspections for public health, safety, or general welfare standards applicable to STRs. In addition, per WCC 110.910.10(b), any property or structure that does not conform to the provisions of an applicable development regulation shall be and is hereby declared to be a public nuisance.2.Maintenance of property, or any structure, in such a state of disrepair or deterioration that could:(a)Cause harm to persons, or(b)Cause damage to property or improvements in the immediate vicinity, or(c)Cause or contribute to blight and cause a substantial reduction of economic value of neighboring properties.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 20 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
308(1) declares 'the existence of any dangerous condition or structure, or any property in a condition adverse or detrimental to public health, safety, or general welfare' a public nuisance in the unincorporated county. Subsection 2 adds a second category: property or a structure kept in a state of disrepair or deterioration that could hurt someone, damage a neighbor's property, or contribute to blight and cut the value of surrounding parcels. 3675. 388 and includes accumulated debris and refuse, broken or rusting fencing, broken windows, and dead or uncontrolled landscaping.
205: an enforcement official serves an abatement notice describing the violation and giving the owner a minimum of 30 days to fix it, unless the condition is an imminent danger. The owner can request a hearing before an administrative hearing officer within 14 calendar days of service, which suspends the deadline until the hearing concludes. If the county abates the nuisance itself, the cost becomes a special assessment lien collected with property taxes, and unpaid civil abatement penalties can be added to that lien once they exceed $5,000 and 180 days have passed. A hearing officer's decision can be appealed to district court within 30 days.
Violations & Fines
An unabated dangerous condition or blighted property can draw a warning, a stop-activity order, an administrative penalty under the county's master fee schedule, and ultimately county abatement billed back to the owner as a special assessment lien collected with property taxes. Civil abatement penalties exceeding $5,000 after 180 days can also be pursued through a court judgment against the owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a dangerous condition under Washoe County's nuisance code?
How much time do I get to fix a nuisance notice?
What happens if I don't fix the problem myself?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Washoe County
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