Twin Falls, ID Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Notice
- Written notice from the Health Officer
- Health Officer
- The Twin Falls City Manager
- Deadline
- A reasonable time fixed in the notice
- Cost recovery
- Abatement expense collected from the offender
- General penalty
- Fine up to $1,000 or up to 6 months in jail
- Liability
- Landlord, tenant and others in control are equally liable
Summary
In the City of Twin Falls, Idaho, the Health Officer can serve written notice on the owner, occupant or agent of any lot, building or premises where a nuisance exists, direct how to abate it within a reasonable time, and if the person neglects or refuses, abate it and collect the expense from the offender.
In case of neglect or refusal of any person to abate any nuisance defined herein, after notice in writing has been served upon him as hereinafter provided and within the time in said notice specified, the Health Officer shall abate or procure the abatement thereof, and the expense of such abatement shall be collected from the person so offending. In order to carry out the provisions of this Chapter, the Health Officer may serve a written notice upon the owner, occupant or agent of any lot, building or premises in or upon which any nuisance may be found, or upon him who may be the cause of such nuisance, requiring him to abate the same in such manner as the health officer may direct, and within a reasonable time to be fixed in the notice; and failure to give a notice as provided herein shall not relieve the author of any nuisance from the obligation to abate such nuisance, or from the penalty provided for the maintenance thereof.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 7-1 of the Twin Falls City Code treats every act or thing done, permitted, allowed or continued in violation of the chapter as a nuisance (section 7-1-1). Section 7-1-9 bars any owner, agent, lessee or occupant of a building, yard or lot from letting garbage, rubbish, dirt or filth of any kind accumulate, and subsection (B) makes it unlawful to permit refuse detrimental to health to accumulate within or upon any private alley, yard or area. Section 7-1-17 spreads responsibility: where a nuisance grows out of the ordinary use of property, the landlord or agent, the tenant or agent, and all other persons having control are equally liable; where it comes from unusual use or a business, the occupants and anyone contributing are deemed its authors.
Section 7-1-18 is the abatement tool. The Health Officer serves written notice, directs how to abate, and fixes a reasonable time; if the person neglects or refuses, the Health Officer abates or procures the abatement and the expense is collected from the person so offending. Failure to give notice does not relieve the author of the duty to abate or the penalty. Section 7-1-19(B) names the Twin Falls City Manager as the designated Health Officer, and 7-1-19(A) authorizes entry in the daytime to examine cellars, vaults, sinks or drains of any house, stable, store or building.
Dangerous structures connect to section 4-1-1, which adopts the Uniform code for the abatement of dangerous buildings among the city's official building codes. The city code names that uniform code without reprinting its procedures, and the former local Dangerous Buildings Code chapter is marked repealed by Ord. 2576, 3-9-1998.
Violations & Fines
Under section 1-4-1, a person who violates the code where no special penalty is provided is guilty of the offense and, on conviction, faces a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six (6) months, or both. The city manager designates a code enforcement officer with the right to enter premises to inspect for violations and to issue Idaho uniform citations. Under section 7-1-18, the cost of City abatement is collected from the person so offending.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who receives a nuisance abatement notice in Twin Falls?
How many days do I have to abate a nuisance?
Who is the Health Officer for the City of Twin Falls?
Does Twin Falls have a dangerous buildings code?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Twin Falls
Compare Twin Falls to another location·View the Idaho property maintenance overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.