Rialto, CA Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing sections
- RMC 18.72.010(B), 18.72.020, 18.72.030
- Notice to abate
- 15 days before hearing set
- Hearing body
- Property maintenance hearing board
- Unabated cost recovery
- Lien / special assessment on property
- Hearing location
- 150 S. Palm Ave., Rialto City Hall
Summary
Rialto treats abandoned, partially destroyed, unsecured or hazardous structures as public nuisances and can order rehabilitation, repair or demolition after a fifteen-day notice and hearing before the property maintenance hearing board, with costs becoming a lien on the property.
B.Structures or buildings, both permanent and temporary, or other property improvements which are subject to any of the following conditions:1.Buildings or structures which are abandoned, partially destroyed, or permitted to remain in a state of partial construction for an unreasonable period of time or for which the permit for construction has expired,2.Unoccupied buildings or structures which have been left unlocked or otherwise open or unsecured from intrusion by persons, animals or the elements or where doorways, windows or other openings are not boarded up by a method approved by the code enforcement division chief,3.Broken windows constituting hazardous conditions and inviting trespassers or malicious mischief,4.Fences or walls which are in a hazardous condition, or which are in a state of disrepair, or which hinder free access to public streets, property, or right-of-ways...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 39).
Full Breakdown
010(B) declares specific building conditions to be public nuisances: buildings abandoned, partially destroyed, or left in partial construction for an unreasonable time or with an expired permit; unoccupied structures left unlocked or otherwise open to intrusion where openings aren't boarded up in a method the code enforcement division chief approves; broken windows inviting trespass; and hazardous or disrepaired fences and walls that block access to public streets or right-of-way. 030 requires written notice to all owners of record and tenants describing the defects, with fifteen days to begin rehabilitation, repair, demolition or abatement, or a public hearing will be set.
050. 020 authorizes the city to abate it by rehabilitation, demolition or repair, and the cost becomes a lien on the land, collectible as a special assessment alongside ordinary municipal taxes, with the same delinquency penalties and sale procedures.
Violations & Fines
Failure to abate a declared nuisance lets the city rehabilitate, repair or demolish the structure itself under Section 18.72.020, with the cost assessed against the property as a lien or special assessment collected the same way as delinquent municipal taxes, including the same penalties and tax-sale procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What building conditions count as a nuisance in Rialto?
How much notice do I get before a hearing on my property?
Who pays if the city has to demolish my building?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rialto
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