San Bernardino, CA Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Summary abatement authority
- Building Official, §15.28.150
- Trigger standard
- immediately dangerous, CBC §116
- Appeal window
- 10 days to Board of Building Commissioners
- Unpaid cost becomes
- special assessment lien after 30 days
- Nuisance abatement time limit
- at least 10 days (§8.30.035)
- §8.30 enforcement officer
- Code Enforcement Director
Summary
San Bernardino's Building Official can summarily abate a dangerous or hazardous building or premises under San Bernardino Municipal Code § 15.28.150, without waiting for a hearing, whenever a condition is immediately dangerous under California Building Code § 116. Owners get mailed notice, a ten-day appeal window and a lien for unpaid abatement costs.
§ 15.28.150 ABATEMENT OF NUISANCE BY BUILDING OFFICIAL.
(A) The same procedures provided in § 15.28.140 for abating nuisances through securing from entry any structure which is determined by the Building Official to be immediately dangerous or hazardous may be used by the Building Official in connection with the summary abatement of all other nuisances upon private property which the Building Official determines, in his or her discretion, to constitute an immediately dangerous or hazardous condition in accordance with California Building Code, § 116.
(B) The Building Official, or his or her representative, may summarily abate conditions found to be a nuisance under division (A) above, in his or her discretion, in the most appropriate manner under the circumstances.
(1) The manner of abatement may include, but is not limited to, the following methods: fencing, draining water from swimming pools and filling with appropriate ballast, removing the fire hazards, filling or covering open holes and grading or strengthening landfills or excavations.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-2: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. MC-1666, passed 8-5-2026).
Full Breakdown
150(A) lets the Building Official use the same summary powers that secure a vacated structure from entry to abate 'all other nuisances upon private property' that are immediately dangerous or hazardous under California Building Code § 116. 150(B), the chosen method is left to the Building Official's discretion, but the code lists fencing, draining and ballasting hazardous pools, removing fire hazards, and filling or grading open excavations as examples, directing the official to pick the most economical method that still eliminates the hazard. 150(C) requires the city to mail the owner notice describing the action taken, its cost, and the ten-day right to appeal to the Board of Building Commissioners; if that appeal doesn't overturn the action, the abatement cost becomes a special assessment lien on the property unless paid within 30 days of the mailing. 043.
Violations & Fines
Removing a posted vacate notice without the Building Official's written consent, or maintaining a declared public nuisance after an abatement order, is a misdemeanor under §§ 15.28.140(B) and 8.30.070(A). Obstructing city crews or a purchaser carrying out an ordered repair or demolition is also a misdemeanor under § 8.30.070(C), on top of the lien the city places on the property for its abatement costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can San Bernardino tear down or secure my building without a hearing first?
What counts as a public nuisance on my property in San Bernardino?
What happens if I don't pay the city's abatement bill?
Is interfering with a city abatement crew a crime?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Bernardino
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Property Blight in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle property blight.