Orange County, CA Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Primary Code
- OC Codified Ord. Title 3, Div. 13 (Sec. 3-13-3, 3-13-7)
- Nuisance Standard
- Civil Code 3479-3503; detrimental to health/safety/welfare
- Enforcement
- OC Development Services - Neighborhood Preservation
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor (may be infraction) per Sec. 3-14-17
- Cost Recovery
- Special assessment lien, 7% interest (Sec. 3-14-11)
- Report
- 714-667-8853 / myOCeServices.ocgov.com
Summary
In unincorporated Orange County, property that is not maintained to the standards in County Codified Ordinance Title 3, Division 13 (Property Maintenance) and is detrimental to public health, safety, or welfare is a declared public nuisance (Sec. 3-13-3) under Civil Code 3479-3503. Blight includes peeling paint, broken windows, dilapidated walls/fences, graffiti, and deteriorated structures (Sec. 3-13-7).
22660. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a city, county, or city and county may adopt an ordinance establishing procedures for the abatement and removal, as public nuisances, of abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicles or parts thereof from private or public property, and for the recovery, pursuant to Section 25845 or 38773.5 of the Government Code, or assumption by the local authority, of costs of administration and the removal.
(Amended by Stats. 1988, Ch. 126, Sec. 1.)
Full Breakdown
Section 3-13-3(a) of the Orange County Codified Ordinances declares developed property a public nuisance when it is not maintained per Sections 3-13-7 and 3-13-8 and is in a condition detrimental to the health, safety, or welfare of the public or adjoining property. Section 3-13-7 sets specific minimum standards: structures may not remain partially destroyed, abandoned, unsecured, or in a state of partial construction more than 30 days; exterior surfaces and roofs must be free of significant cracks, missing materials, warping, or dry rot; painted surfaces must prevent decay, cracking, and peeling; all structures, walls, and fencing must be kept free of graffiti (per Title 3, Division 16); broken windows and replacement of windowpanes with non-glass materials are prohibited; and walls, fences, and trash enclosures must be free of significant cracks, leaning, or missing panels.
The County uses the Division 14 nuisance-abatement process to compel correction. Enforcement is by OC Development Services Neighborhood Preservation, which works to maintain healthy, safe communities in the unincorporated areas. com.
Violations & Fines
A violation of Division 13 is punishable under Sections 1-1-34 and 1-1-39 of the County Code (Sec. 3-13-5). Conditions declared a nuisance under Division 13 are a misdemeanor under Section 1-1-34(a), which may be charged as an infraction by the District Attorney (Sec. 3-14-17). If the owner does not abate, the County may abate and impose the cost as a special assessment/lien on the parcel, accruing 7% annual interest (Sec. 3-14-11).
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as property blight in unincorporated Orange County?
What happens if I don't fix a blighted property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Orange County
California rules heatmap·Compare Orange County to another location·View the California property maintenance overview
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