Stockton, CA Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Cure period
- 10 days after notice
- City entry hours
- 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Unpaid cost becomes
- Lien on next tax bill
- Appeal path
- Administrative Hearing, Ch. 1.44
- Related trigger
- Vacancy over 180 days, § 15.32.030
Summary
Stockton declares any unsecured, unoccupied building, one with a broken or unboarded window, door or other opening that allows free entry, a public nuisance under Municipal Code § 15.24.050. The owner, agent or lessee has 10 days after notice to secure it under § 15.24.060, or the City secures it and bills the property.
It is hereby found and expressly declared that the existence of an unsecured building within the City is a public nuisance and dangerous to the health and safety of the inhabitants of said City. An unsecured building is hereby defined and when so designated by the code official as any unoccupied house, garage, building or any other structure which is unoccupied and into which free entry may be made through the existence of any unsecured opening, including broken and unboarded windows and doorways. ... It is unlawful for any owner, agent, lessee or person having charge or control of any unsecured building within the City of Stockton to refuse or neglect to secure said building hereinbefore declared to be a public nuisance within a period of 10 days after such owner, agent, lessee or other person above described has been given notice as provided in Stockton Municipal Code, Title 1, Chapter 1.24 et seq., or Chapter 1.28 et seq., or Chapter 1.32 et seq., which shall order that the building be secured and the public nuisance thereby abated.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4970744; v11 updated 2026-07-07).
Full Breakdown
050 covers any unoccupied house, garage, building or other structure with an unsecured opening, including broken and unboarded windows and doorways. 050: reglazing or boarding broken windows and openings, fencing pools and spas, and posting an 18-by-24-inch weatherproof sign with a 24-hour contact number. 44. 080). 100. 130). 160). 150). 040.
Violations & Fines
Refusing to secure an unsecured building within 10 days of notice is a violation of § 15.24.060, and refusing City representatives access to inspect or secure the property is a separate violation of § 15.24.150. If the City performs the securing work itself, the cost becomes a real property lien collected with the owner's regular tax bill, carrying the same interest, penalties, and foreclosure exposure as delinquent property taxes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a building 'unsecured' under Stockton's nuisance code?
How long does a Stockton property owner have to secure a nuisance building?
What happens if a Stockton owner doesn't pay for City-performed securing work?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Stockton
California rules heatmap·Compare Stockton to another location·View the California property maintenance overview
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