Upland, CA Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Rubbish rule scope
- improved or unimproved property
- Firewood storage cap
- 2 cords, stacked out of view
- Vehicle parking on unimproved lots
- prohibited in any zone
- Notice cure period
- 5 days
- Abatement recovery
- lien on the property
Summary
Upland Municipal Code Section 8.12.020 reaches unimproved as well as improved property: owners may not let discarded items or rubbish accumulate on 'any part of any property, whether improved or unimproved,' and it is separately unlawful to park any vehicle on an unimproved lot in any zone.
It is unlawful to allow the accumulation on any part of any property, whether improved or unimproved, including adjacent rights-of-way, any discarded items or rubbish. Those items may include but not be limited to any of the following: broken, discarded, useless, unusable, abandoned, etc., items, such as but not limited to, trash, garbage, waste matter, debris, lumber, wood, boxes, furniture, appliances, household equipment, other equipment, offal, feces, or the remains of dead animals. ... It is unlawful to park any vehicle on unimproved lots in any zone.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4480959; v4 updated 2025-09-22).
Full Breakdown
020(B)(1) states: 'It is unlawful to allow the accumulation on any part of any property, whether improved or unimproved, including adjacent rights-of-way, any discarded items or rubbish,' listing examples like trash, garbage, waste matter, debris, lumber, furniture and appliances; item 3 caps stored firewood at two cords, cut to fireplace size and stacked out of public view. Vacant, unimproved land gets an additional, distinct restriction at subsection (F)(5): 'It is unlawful to park any vehicle on unimproved lots in any zone,' a flat bar that doesn't apply the same way to improved residential or commercial lots.
030 before the violation becomes a misdemeanor. 110 with a compliance deadline, and, if unaddressed, have city forces or contractors do the work with costs recoverable as a lien, subject to a 10-day appeal to the city council.
Violations & Fines
Failing to remove accumulated rubbish or debris from a vacant lot within five days of notice from the superintendent of streets is a misdemeanor under Section 8.12.030, punishable by up to a $50 fine or 30 days in county jail. Parking any vehicle on an unimproved lot is independently unlawful under Section 8.12.020(F)(5); the city may also abate either violation itself and recover its costs as a lien on the property under Sections 8.12.040 and 8.12.100-.120.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Upland's rubbish rules apply to an empty, unimproved lot?
Can I park a car or trailer on my vacant lot?
How does the city force cleanup of a neglected vacant lot?
How much firewood can I store on my property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Upland
California rules heatmap·Compare Upland to another location·View the California property maintenance overview
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How other cities in San Bernardino County handle vacant lot maintenance.