Sacramento County, CA Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger
- repeat dumping, prior County abatement
- Remedy ordered
- fence, lockable gate, patrols
- Notice
- 30 days to secure property
- Code
- §§ 16.18.401(Z), 16.18.1300-.1301
Summary
Unimproved land that becomes a repeat dumping ground for litter, junk or discarded vehicles is a declared nuisance in Sacramento County, and the County can order the owner to fence and secure it against further dumping.
Any unimproved real property which has become a dumping ground for litter, garbage, junk, debris, or discarded vehicles, vehicle parts and/or vehicle hulks, and which real property has been subject to abatement on one or more occasions by the County;
AA. Any conditions in violation of Chapter 15.12 (Stormwater Management and Discharge Control). Once proceedings have been commenced pursuant to this chapter to declare a property to be a public nuisance under this subsection, no such property shall be deemed to be in compliance with this chapter solely because such property thereafter becomes occupied;
BB. Any condition in violation of Chapter 6.88 of the Sacramento County Code (Marijuana Cultivation);
CC. Any condition in violation of Chapter 6.130 of the Sacramento County Code (Reduction of Single Use Plastic and Paper Bags). (SCC 0982 § 1, 1995; SCC 1052 § 1, 1996; SCC 1146 § 3, 1999; SCC 1218 § 2, 2002; SCC 1295 § 25, 2005; SCC 1370 § 1, 2007; SCC 1459 § 2, 2010; SCC 1530 § 2, 2013; SCC 1561 § 2, 2014; SCC 1563 § 2, 2014; SCC 1572 § 3, 2014; SCC 1576 § 1, 2014; SCC 1578 § 7, 2015; SCC 1596 § 3, 2016; SCC 1609 § 12, 2017; SCC 1611 § 2, 2017; SCC 1650 § 2, 2019)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4941150; v18 updated 2026-05-19).
Full Breakdown
Section 16.18.401(Z) of the Nuisance Code declares any unimproved real property that has become a dumping ground for litter, garbage, junk, debris or discarded vehicles a public nuisance once the County has abated it at least once. Under the companion Securing of Unimproved Real Property article (Section 16.18.1300), the department head can then order the owner to erect a fence and lockable gate, install barricading, or run security patrols to stop further dumping. Owners get written or published notice under Section 16.18.1301 and 30 days to comply before enforcement proceeds.
Violations & Fines
Owners who don't secure the property within 30 days of notice face a hearing and County-ordered abatement, with fencing, gate and patrol costs assessed against the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the county require every vacant lot to be fenced?
How is the owner notified?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sacramento County
California rules heatmap·Compare Sacramento County to another location·View the California property maintenance overview
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