Costa Mesa, CA Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)

Under Costa Mesa's Title 20 (Property Maintenance), owners of vacant and undeveloped lots must keep their property maintained to prevent blight and nuisance conditions. Required maintenance includes regular mowing or removal of weeds and overgrown vegetation, prevention of trash and debris accumulation, securing the property to prevent unauthorized dumping and trespassing, and maintaining any existing fencing or barriers. Vacant lots must not become a source of pest harborage, fire hazard, or health and safety concern for neighboring properties. The city may require property owners to install and maintain fencing around vacant parcels in areas where dumping or trespassing is recurring. Graffiti on fences or structures on vacant lots must be removed promptly. Property owners are subject to strict civil liability for all code violations occurring on their vacant parcels, meaning they are responsible regardless of whether they caused the condition. The Community Improvement Division monitors vacant lots and responds to complaints. If owners fail to maintain their property after receiving notice, the city may conduct abatement and place a lien on the property for the cost of remediation.