Stanislaus County, CA Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- Ch. 2.94 Vacant Property
- Weed trigger
- Over 18 inches in height
- Securing requirement
- Fence + posted metal sign
- Trespass reference
- Penal Code § 602
- Administering officer
- Code enforcement officer / building official
- Abatement process
- Notice under § 2.92.030
Summary
Stanislaus County's Vacant Property Ordinance (Chapter 2.94) bars owners of unimproved lots from letting nuisance conditions accumulate, naming weeds over eighteen inches, abandoned vehicles, and attractive nuisances as triggers, and it requires fencing and posted no-trespass signs on unsecured vacant sites.
"Nuisance condition" means the presence of one or more of the following on the subject property: 1. Substantial amounts of trash, debris, rubbish, or garbage; 2. Discarded vehicles or boats, discarded trailers, vehicle or boat parts, vehicle or boat hulks, or other articles of personal property that are abandoned or left in a state of partial construction or repair; 3. Attractive nuisances dangerous to children, such as abandoned, broken or neglected equipment, machinery, refrigerators, or freezers, unsafe pools, ponds, or excavations; 4. Shopping carts, discarded household equipment, or broken discarded furniture; 5. Weeds over eighteen inches in height; 6. Any other similar nuisance condition. ... No owner shall maintain or allow the maintenance of vacant property in such a manner that any nuisance condition exists on the vacant property.
Full Breakdown
020(C) to include substantial trash or debris, discarded vehicles or boats, attractive nuisances such as unsafe pools or neglected equipment, discarded household items, and "weeds over eighteen inches in height," plus any other similar nuisance condition. 030 makes every owner responsible for correcting violations regardless of any contract with a third party. 060 makes it unlawful for anyone but the owner or code enforcement to enter or to deface that posted notice. 030, meaning owners get the standard written notice with a defined correction period before the county acts further.
Violations & Fines
An owner who lets a nuisance condition persist on vacant property, including weeds over eighteen inches, discarded vehicles, or an unsecured attractive nuisance, is subject to the notice-and-abate process of § 2.92.030 as incorporated by § 2.94.080, and enforcement can proceed under any remedy in Chapter 2.92, including administrative citation, abatement, or misdemeanor prosecution. Entering a fenced and posted vacant property without authorization, or removing/defacing the required no-trespass sign, is separately unlawful under § 2.94.060 and can be prosecuted under Penal Code § 602 in addition to county code remedies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a nuisance condition on a vacant lot in Stanislaus County?
Does the county require fencing vacant lots?
Who investigates vacant-lot complaints?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Stanislaus County
California rules heatmap·Compare Stanislaus County to another location·View the California property maintenance overview
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