Kings County, CA Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- Any parcel, vacant or improved
- Time limit
- 72 hours visible storage
- Exemption
- Stacked firewood, side/rear yard
- Authority
- Sec. 14-36(2) nuisance ordinance
Summary
Any parcel in unincorporated Kings County, vacant or built on, can't accumulate junk, debris, trash or salvage materials visible from public or private land for more than 72 hours under the county nuisance ordinance.
Used or damaged lumber, junk, trash, debris, scrap metal, concrete, sand, asphalt, cans, bottles, tires, salvage materials, boxes, containers, bins, and abandoned, discarded, inoperative or unusable furniture, stove, refrigerator, freezer, sink, toilet, cabinet or other household fixtures or equipment, yard waste or equipment, or similar used or damaged materials, and which is stored so as to be visible from any public or private property for a period in excess of 72 hours, except on commercial or industrial properties zoned and permitted for such storage or properties exempt by the "right to farm ordinance", and except that nothing herein shall preclude the placement of stacked firewood for use on the premises in the side or rear yards of a premises;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 13).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 14-36(2) applies to any property in the county, not just improved lots, and bars storing used lumber, junk, trash, debris, scrap metal, tires, salvage materials, or discarded furniture and equipment where it's visible from public or private property for more than 72 hours. Commercial/industrial land zoned and permitted for such storage, and properties covered by the right-to-farm ordinance, are excepted, and stacked firewood for on-site use in a side or rear yard is expressly allowed.
Violations & Fines
The county can order removal of stored junk or debris on a vacant lot; if the owner doesn't voluntarily clear it, the county can abate the nuisance and bill the cost as a special assessment lien, tripled for a second violation on the same parcel within two years under Sec. 14-46.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do vacant lot rules differ from occupied-property rules in Kings County?
Can I store firewood on a vacant lot I own?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kings County
California rules heatmap·Compare Kings County to another location·View the California property maintenance overview
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