San Benito County, CA Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing sections
- § 1.06.030(A)(4), § 1.06.040
- First violation penalty
- Up to $1,000 per day
- Repeat violation penalty
- Up to $5,000 per day
- Applies to
- Unincorporated San Benito County only
- Emergency power
- Summary abatement for immediate threats
Summary
Unincorporated San Benito County treats any building or property that endangers human life or public health and safety as a public nuisance subject to county abatement action.
Any use or condition of property that: (a) Poses a danger to human life; or (b) Is unsafe or detrimental to the public health, safety, or welfare.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-28: current through Ordinance 1078).
Full Breakdown
In unincorporated San Benito County, the county code declares any building or property posing a danger to human life, or unsafe or detrimental to public health, safety, or welfare, a public nuisance. Under § 1.06.040, the enforcing officer (Building Official, Health Officer, Fire Chief, or Sheriff) can inspect the property, issue a notice to abate, or, when the condition is an immediate threat, direct county staff to summarily abate it without prior notice. This authority does not reach buildings inside Hollister or San Juan Bautista, which enforce their own municipal codes.
Violations & Fines
Abatement orders carry administrative civil penalties up to $1,000/day for a first violation, $2,000/day for a repeat, and $5,000/day for further violations within one year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this rule apply inside Hollister?
Can the county fix a dangerous building without notice first?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Benito County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Benito County to another location·View the California property maintenance overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.