Stanislaus County, CA Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)

Stanislaus County Code Enforcement addresses two distinct vacant-property problems on unincorporated land. First, vacant lots and vacant lands used as illegal dumping sites are subject to abatement; the County's Code Enforcement program expressly handles "abatement of vacant lands used for disposal." Second, vacant structures must be secured. Per the County's published guidance citing Stanislaus County Code 2.93.050, "all vacant structures must be secured in such a way to prevent entrance from unauthorized persons." The County notes there is no registration requirement currently in place for vacant homes, so owners are not required to register a vacant dwelling, but they must keep it boarded or otherwise secured. Where an owner fails to secure a vacant structure or clean up a dumping-used lot, the County can pursue civil citations, board the structure itself, and recover its costs as an assessment or lien against the property. Weeds and dry vegetation on vacant lots are handled separately as a fire/weed-abatement matter, generally through the responsible fire district rather than Code Enforcement. These are County requirements for unincorporated parcels; incorporated cities maintain their own vacant-property rules. Property owners with questions can contact Code Enforcement at (209) 525-6700.