Santa Clara County, CA Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

Santa Clara County addresses property blight through Division A18 of the County Ordinance Code, which declares certain conditions public nuisances subject to abatement. Blight conditions include dead or overgrown vegetation creating fire hazards, accumulation of junk and debris visible from public view, inoperative or dismantled vehicles stored outside enclosed structures, buildings in severe disrepair with missing siding or broken windows, graffiti left unremoved, and properties attracting vermin or creating health hazards. The Department of Planning and Development's code enforcement division investigates complaints and issues notices of violation giving 10-30 days to comply. Failure to comply can result in administrative citations (typically 100-500 dollars per violation per day), recorded notices of substandard property, and in extreme cases county abatement with cost recovery liens. Vacant properties are subject to additional maintenance standards, and banks foreclosing must register with the county. Fire hazard severity zones impose strict weed abatement requirements before fire season each May.