Josephine County, OR Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- Any property, vacant or occupied
- Trigger
- Visible from a public road
- Accepted fix
- Sight-screening fence
- Business exception
- Properly zoned business use only
- Enforcing agency
- County Environmental Health Department
Summary
Any Josephine County property, vacant or occupied, violates § 8.10.050 if discarded appliances, furniture, auto parts, or rubble sit visible from a public road. A sight-screening fence is the code's own accepted fix, unless the items are part of a properly zoned business.
The conditions described in this section are in violation of this chapter when visible from a public road, unless it is on such private real property as a necessary part of a business enterprise, properly operated in the appropriate business zone, pursuant to zoning laws of the County. Any such condition is also declared to be a nuisance. A. Discarded, useless, abandoned or inoperable household appliances such as washers, dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, water heaters, stoves and similar items. B. Abandoned, discarded, useless household furniture such as sofas, beds, chairs, mattresses, tables and similar items. C. Abandoned, discarded, useless machinery or automotive parts, including but not limited to motors, tires, chassis and similar items. D. Accumulation of rubble, used building material such as lumber, wire, plumbing fixtures, lighting fixtures, used stone or brick and similar items. A sight screening fence is deemed an acceptable method for complying with this section.
Full Breakdown
050 does not distinguish vacant lots from built-out ones: it declares four categories of junk a nuisance and a violation whenever visible from a public road, unless the material is a necessary part of a business enterprise properly operated in the correct business zone. The categories are discarded or inoperable household appliances such as washers, refrigerators, and water heaters (A); abandoned household furniture such as sofas, beds, and mattresses (B); useless machinery or automotive parts, including motors, tires, and chassis (C); and accumulated rubble or used building material such as lumber, wire, and plumbing or lighting fixtures (D).
The section explicitly credits a sight-screening fence as an acceptable way to comply, which matters for a vacant parcel where the owner wants to store material without removing it entirely. 120). 040), and the owner, contract buyer, lessee, or tenant in possession is jointly liable for clean-up costs if the County has to abate the condition itself.
Violations & Fines
Letting discarded appliances, furniture, auto parts, or rubble accumulate visible from a public road on any lot, including a vacant one, violates § 8.10.050 and is a declared nuisance. After a 10-day abatement letter goes unheeded, the County can pursue a Hearings Officer order or a court judgment of up to $500 under §§ 8.10.110-8.10.120, plus its abatement costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I store junk on my vacant lot in Josephine County?
Is there a way to keep the material without violating the code?
What happens after a complaint about a junky vacant lot?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Josephine County
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