Orange County Codified Ordinance Sec. 3-13-9 requires vacant real property in unincorporated areas to be secured and maintained: all landscaped, dirt, concrete, or paved areas and the adjoining parkway must be kept clear of rubbish, litter, and weeds, and graffiti removed. 'Vacant real property' means a parcel left vacant and unoccupied more than 30 calendar days (Sec. 3-13-2).
Section 3-13-3(b) declares vacant real property that is not properly secured, fenced, boarded up, and maintained per Sections 3-13-9 and 3-13-10, and which is detrimental to public or adjoining-property health, safety, or welfare, to be a public nuisance. 'Vacant real property' is defined in Sec. 3-13-2 as any vacant parcel, building, or structure intentionally left vacant and unoccupied for a period exceeding 30 calendar days. Mandatory standards under Sec. 3-13-9(a) require that all structures, equipment, walls, and fencing be kept free of graffiti, and that all landscaped, concrete, dirt, or paved open areas on the property and the adjoining public parkway be kept clear of rubbish, litter, and weeds. When needed for safety, additional standards (Sec. 3-13-9(b)) may be imposed: boarding and securing all windows and doors (painted to match the building), fencing the entire perimeter with a minimum 6-foot chain-link or secure fence posted with no-trespassing signs, and operable exterior security lighting front and rear. Compliance is at the sole cost of the responsible party (Sec. 3-13-10). Separately, undeveloped (vacant) parcels in unincorporated Orange County are included on the County Weed Abatement List where hazardous weeds, vegetation, or accumulated rubbish create a fire or health hazard (per the OC Public Works weed-abatement program).
Vacant-property violations are Division 13 violations under Sections 1-1-34 and 1-1-39 (Sec. 3-13-5) and may be abated via the Division 14 process. If the owner fails to abate, the County may abate and place a special-assessment lien on the parcel (Sec. 3-14-11). Hazardous weeds or rubbish on vacant lots can also trigger County weed-abatement clearing, with clearing charges (per square foot), an administrative charge, and an inspection charge added to the property tax bill.
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