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.
Orange County, CA
Unincorporated Orange County exempts one small detached non-habitable accessory structure - a shed - per 7,200 square feet of building site area from accesso...
Orange County, CA
Carports in unincorporated Orange County are governed by Section 7-9-70.3(d) of the Codified Ordinances, which requires carports to comply with main-building...
Orange County, CA
Unincorporated Orange County allows the conversion of an existing garage, carport, or accessory structure into an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) under Section...
Orange County, CA
Unincorporated Orange County requires every pool/spa deeper than 18 inches to be enclosed by a barrier at least 60 inches (5 ft) high under California Health...
Orange County, CA
Unincorporated Orange County allows ADUs on any residentially zoned lot under OC Zoning Code (Title 7, Division 9) and California Government Code §65852.2 (A...
Orange County, CA
Orange County does not levy a general gross-receipts business tax in unincorporated areas; businesses obtain a county business license tied to zoning, while ...
See how Orange County's property blight rules stack up against other locations.
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