Davis, CA Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- DMC § 23.01.030(7) and (10)
- Enforcement
- Code compliance administrator / department head
- Correction window
- 30 days under a notice and order
- Misdemeanor fine
- Up to $1,000 or 6 months jail
- Unpaid abatement costs
- Become a lien on the property
Summary
Davis treats an unsecured vacant or abandoned building, or a pile of dirt, sand, gravel or concrete left on a lot, as a public nuisance under Municipal Code Section 23.01.030. The code compliance administrator or department head can order the owner to secure the structure or clear the material, and unpaid abatement costs become a lien against the property.
(7) Any vacant, unoccupied or abandoned building or structure that is not reasonably secured against uninvited entry or that constitutes a fire hazard, or is in a state of unsightly or dangerous condition so as to constitute a blighted condition detrimental to property values in the neighborhood or otherwise detrimental to the health, safety and welfare of the public; ... (10) The keeping, storage, depositing or accumulation of dirt, sand, gravel, concrete or other similar materials which constitutes visual blight or reduces the aesthetic appearance of the neighborhood or is offensive to the senses or is detrimental to nearby property or property values; provided, however, that such of the listed materials as are being used or to be used for a project of repair or renovation may be stored for such period of time as is reasonably necessary to expeditiously complete the project;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4915048; v22 updated 2026-05-19).
Full Breakdown
030(7) of the Davis Municipal Code declares it a public nuisance for an owner, lessee or occupant to allow a vacant, unoccupied or abandoned building or structure to sit unsecured against uninvited entry, become a fire hazard, or fall into an unsightly or dangerous condition that is blighted or detrimental to neighborhood property values. Subsection (10) reaches the lot itself: accumulated dirt, sand, gravel or concrete left on the property is likewise a nuisance if it reduces the aesthetic appearance of the neighborhood or is offensive to the senses, though material staged for an active repair or renovation project may sit for as long as reasonably needed to finish the work.
020, and follow it with a notice and order when the condition is not corrected. A notice and order must be resolved within thirty calendar days unless the violation poses an immediate danger, in which case the city can act at once. 5, and unpaid costs become a special assessment lien recorded against the property and collected with the regular property tax bill.
Violations & Fines
A first violation is typically pursued through an administrative citation or notice and order under Article 1.02 and 23.04, but Section 23.02.030 also makes each day of noncompliance a separate misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to one thousand dollars, up to six months in jail, or both. The city can additionally sue in civil court, summarily abate an urgent hazard without notice, and recover its abatement costs and attorney fees as a lien on the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Davis cite me for an unsecured vacant building on my lot?
Is a pile of dirt or gravel on a vacant lot a violation in Davis?
What happens if I do not pay the city's abatement bill?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Davis
California rules heatmap·Compare Davis to another location·View the California property maintenance overview
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