Whittier, CA Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)

Section 8.08.026 defines a vacant lot as any property that is undeveloped, or has a building that has sat abandoned, vacant or unleased for more than 30 days. Every qualifying lot, unless it fronts no public street, is under five feet wide or deep, is mapped open space, or is active farmland, must be brought into compliance within 30 days of becoming vacant.

Unimproved lots under half an acre (21,780 square feet) must be landscaped entirely in drought-tolerant or xeriscape material, though the code lets the owner substitute durable, high-quality synthetic turf, subject to the parks, recreation and community services director's approval under Section 13.42.120. An automatic irrigation system is required, and litter, weeds, graffiti or dead vegetation must be cleared or replaced within 72 hours of discovery. Lots a half acre or larger need a five-foot landscaped planter along every public right-of-way plus a six-foot decorative, view-obscuring perimeter barrier, extendable to eight feet for security or topography, built of painted wood, redwood, woodcrete or green vinyl chain-link with a windscreen, with a gated gravel path keyed for police access.

Before a demolition permit issues, the owner must submit a vacant lot landscape and irrigation plan to the parks director, who can impose conditions and grant extensions for good-faith compliance. A denied or conditioned plan can be appealed in writing to the city manager within 15 calendar days, then to the city council within another 15 days; council decisions are final. The council can also modify requirements for an owner shown to be in extreme financial hardship, such as bankruptcy or six months of mortgage arrears.