Ontario prohibits overgrown vegetation, junk vehicles, graffiti, and deteriorated buildings as public nuisances under OMC Chapter 30 and California Health and Safety Code 17920.3.
Ontario Municipal Code Chapter 30 (Public Nuisance) declares a wide range of blight conditions to be abatable nuisances, including accumulations of trash, dead or overgrown vegetation, inoperable or wrecked vehicles stored in view, broken windows or boarded openings, peeling paint exceeding 25 percent of a facade, sagging fences, and graffiti visible from the public right-of-way. Residential structures must also meet the substandard-housing standards of California Health and Safety Code 17920.3, covering roof integrity, weatherproofing, sanitation, and pest infestations. Code Enforcement can inspect on complaint or proactively and issue a notice to abate, typically giving the owner 10 to 30 days depending on the condition. If the owner fails to abate, the City may perform the cleanup and lien the property for all costs plus an administrative fee under OMC Chapter 30. Graffiti must be removed within 72 hours of notice under the City's graffiti removal program. Chronic blight cases may be placed on the City's Receivership or Substandard Housing list.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Ontario, CA
Outdoor music is regulated under OMC Title 5 Chapter 29 and the special-event permit process. Venues and events with amplified sound need a city permit; resi...
Ontario, CA
Aircraft noise from Ontario International Airport (ONT) is regulated by the FAA, not the city. ONT runs an FAA Part 150 noise compatibility program; federal ...
Ontario, CA
Ontario requires a building permit for masonry walls and any fence over 7 feet under the California Building Code. Retaining walls over 4 feet also require p...
Ontario, CA
Ontario fence requirements include zoning-based heights, setbacks, sight triangles, buffer walls on industrial edges, and CBC structural standards. Pool, ret...
Ontario, CA
Ontario limits residential fence heights under the Development Code. Typical maximums are 6 feet rear/side, 3 feet front, and 42 inches in sight-distance tri...
Ontario, CA
Ontario requires dogs to be leashed off-property under OMC Title 6. Maximum leash length is 6 feet, with owner control required in all public spaces except d...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in San Bernardino County.
See how other cities in San Bernardino County handle property blight.
See how Ontario's property blight rules stack up against other locations.
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