Los Angeles County has not enacted a countywide vacancy tax on empty homes or commercial space. Unincorporated areas and most LA County cities impose no annual penalty on vacant property, although several cities including Santa Monica have studied measures.
There is no LA County Code chapter authorizing a vacancy tax in unincorporated areas, and the Board of Supervisors has not placed a vacancy tax on a countywide ballot through 2026. Property owners with vacant homes or storefronts in unincorporated communities like East LA, Marina del Rey, or Altadena pay only standard property tax under Proposition 13 plus any blight or nuisance penalties under LA County Code Title 11. Within incorporated cities, Los Angeles City studied Measure ULA companion vacancy proposals but none have passed citywide. Berkeley and San Francisco have empty-home taxes; LA County peers have not yet followed.
Because no vacancy tax exists countywide, there are no vacancy-tax penalties. Vacant property may still be cited under LA County Title 11 nuisance or blight rules, with daily fines, abatement liens, and receivership in extreme cases.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Lakewood, CA
Lakewood prohibits storing abandoned, inoperable, or unregistered vehicles on public streets or visible on private property. Vehicles may be tagged and towed...
Lakewood, CA
Lakewood regulates electric vehicle charging infrastructure for residential and commercial properties. Building codes may require EV-ready parking in new con...
Lakewood, CA
Lakewood regulates overnight parking on public streets. Many areas restrict parking between certain hours or require permits for overnight street parking.
Lakewood, CA
Lakewood requires pool barriers meeting safety codes to prevent drowning. Fences must be at least 4 to 5 feet tall with self-closing, self-latching gates.
Lakewood, CA
Lakewood requires permits for retaining walls above a certain height, typically 4 feet. Engineering review may be required for taller walls.
Lakewood, CA
Lakewood restricts or prohibits intentional feeding of wildlife including deer, coyotes, and bears. Feeding wildlife creates public safety hazards and nuisan...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Los Angeles County.
See how Lakewood's vacancy tax rules stack up against other locations.
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