Urgent Vacant Building and Property Ordinance Adopted by City Council

(Stockton, CA) – On Tuesday, August 19, 2008, the Stockton City Council unanimously approved an ordinance that will protect neighborhoods from becoming blighted through lack of maintenance and security of vacant and abandoned buildings and properties. The ordinance, which is intended to address health and safety issues, was adopted on an urgency basis and will become effective immediately.

The ordinance will ensure that vacant and abandoned properties, and the costs associated with upkeep, are the responsibility of the property owners and do not become a nuisance and liability of the surrounding community. Property owners will be required to post vacant and abandoned property with 24-hour contact information for the owner or local property manager on a street-facing, weather resistant, 4” x 6” sign.

Requirements for security, upkeep, and maintenance are the same for vacant and abandoned buildings and properties, as for those that are occupied. In recent months, it has been increasingly difficult and time consuming to identify and locate property owners for vacant properties, due to the number of foreclosures. Delayed Code Enforcement action has resulted in attracting transients and vandals, depreciation of surrounding properties, and posing risk or danger to the neighborhood. This ordinance emphasizes that property owners must actively monitor and maintain the exterior appearance of these properties.

For a copy or summary of the ordinance, please visit the Neighborhood Services web page. For additional information, please contact the Connie Cochran, Public Information Officer, at (209) 937-8827.
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