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Kings County, CA Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Applies to
Any parcel, vacant or improved
Time limit
72 hours visible storage
Exemption
Stacked firewood, side/rear yard
Authority
Sec. 14-36(2) nuisance ordinance

Summary

Any parcel in unincorporated Kings County, vacant or built on, can't accumulate junk, debris, trash or salvage materials visible from public or private land for more than 72 hours under the county nuisance ordinance.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Kings County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Used or damaged lumber, junk, trash, debris, scrap metal, concrete, sand, asphalt, cans, bottles, tires, salvage materials, boxes, containers, bins, and abandoned, discarded, inoperative or unusable furniture, stove, refrigerator, freezer, sink, toilet, cabinet or other household fixtures or equipment, yard waste or equipment, or similar used or damaged materials, and which is stored so as to be visible from any public or private property for a period in excess of 72 hours, except on commercial or industrial properties zoned and permitted for such storage or properties exempt by the "right to farm ordinance", and except that nothing herein shall preclude the placement of stacked firewood for use on the premises in the side or rear yards of a premises;

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 13).

Full Breakdown

Sec. 14-36(2) applies to any property in the county, not just improved lots, and bars storing used lumber, junk, trash, debris, scrap metal, tires, salvage materials, or discarded furniture and equipment where it's visible from public or private property for more than 72 hours. Commercial/industrial land zoned and permitted for such storage, and properties covered by the right-to-farm ordinance, are excepted, and stacked firewood for on-site use in a side or rear yard is expressly allowed.

Violations & Fines

The county can order removal of stored junk or debris on a vacant lot; if the owner doesn't voluntarily clear it, the county can abate the nuisance and bill the cost as a special assessment lien, tripled for a second violation on the same parcel within two years under Sec. 14-46.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do vacant lot rules differ from occupied-property rules in Kings County?
No. Sec. 14-36 applies to any property in the county; junk, debris and salvage materials visible for more than 72 hours are a nuisance on a vacant lot the same as on an occupied one.
Can I store firewood on a vacant lot I own?
Yes. Sec. 14-36(2) exempts stacked firewood kept for use on the premises, as long as it's in the side or rear yard.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Kings County

All Kings County rules

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