Cupertino, CA Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- Chapter 9.22, Property Maintenance
- Covers
- Building exteriors, premises and vacant land
- Weeds/dead vegetation causing hazard
- Not allowed, no permit exception
- Storage containers limit
- 2 occasions/year, 15 days each
- Outdoor appliance/furniture limit
- Not allowed beyond 72 hours
- Oversized tree stumps
- Over 6 in. diameter, 2.5 ft tall banned
- Violation classification
- Infraction under Chapter 1.12
Summary
Cupertino Municipal Code Chapter 9.22, Property Maintenance, expressly covers vacant land as well as occupied premises. Section 9.22.020 and Table 9.22.020 bar owners of any real property, including empty parcels, from maintaining dead or diseased weeds and vegetation that pose fire, health, infestation or rodent hazards, plus junk, debris and deteriorated structures.
The purpose of this chapter is to promote the health, safety and welfare of the people of the City of Cupertino, and to protect the City’s neighborhoods against blighting and deteriorating influences or conditions that contribute to the downgrading of neighborhood aesthetics and property values by establishing minimum standards, in addition to standards contained in other laws, rules and regulations, for the maintenance of all building exteriors, premises and vacant land. ... Except for any property which has a valid permit to maintain such a condition, no owner(s), agent(s) or lessee(s) or other person(s) occupying or having control of any real property (including City property) within the City shall maintain or allow to be maintained any of the following conditions except as allowed in Table 9.22.020: ... ... C. Dead, decayed, or diseased trees, weeds, or other vegetation likely to cause a fire or health hazard, an infestation, or a habitat for rodents; Not Allowed
Full Breakdown
010 states the chapter exists to protect Cupertino's neighborhoods against blight by setting minimum standards for the maintenance of building exteriors, premises and vacant land. 020 unless a valid permit allows it. Item C of that table bans dead, decayed or diseased trees, weeds or other vegetation likely to cause a fire or health hazard, an infestation, or a rodent habitat, with no permit exception offered. The same table bars storing household appliances, machinery or furniture in a visible yard beyond 72 hours; bans loose materials, building materials and temporary fencing unless screened during active, permitted construction; caps storage containers at two occasions per year, 15 days each, 60 days apart; and flatly prohibits any accumulation of recyclables, litter, junk, scrap material or vehicle parts.
Item D requires adequate landscaping or groundcover to control blowing dust and erosion. 5 feet citywide, unless pollarded to ANSI A300-2001 standards. Item F prohibits structures left in substantial deterioration, such as peeling paint, broken windows or roofs in disrepair.
Violations & Fines
Section 9.22.030 makes any violation of the chapter an infraction prosecutable under Chapter 1.12. Section 9.22.040 preserves the City's separate power to pursue nuisance abatement under Chapter 1.09 and Section 1.12.030, so an unmaintained vacant lot can face both an infraction conviction and a nuisance abatement order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Cupertino's property maintenance rule apply to a lot with no building on it?
Can I let dead vegetation sit on an empty lot if it isn't blocking anything?
How much scrap or junk can I store on a vacant parcel?
What happens if I ignore a property maintenance violation on my vacant lot?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cupertino
California rules heatmap·Compare Cupertino to another location·View the California property maintenance overview
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Vacant Lot Maintenance in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Santa Clara County handle vacant lot maintenance.