Camarillo Municipal Code Ch. 9.12 Public Nuisances—real Property

Unless the contrary is stated or clearly appears from the context, the following definitions shall govern the construction of the words and phrases used in this chapter:

"Building" has the same meaning as set forth in the zoning regulations of this code.

"Controlled substances" means any substance that is declared or defined by state or federal law to be a controlled substance.

"Director" means the director of community development or designee.

"Hazardous materials" means any material or substance of any kind that is declared by any federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation to be composed, in whole or in part, of hazardous material or hazardous substances.

"Lot" has the same meaning as set forth in the zoning regulations of this code.

"Occupant," when used in connection with a lot, building, or structure, means any person, including an owner, who has the legal or equitable right to use, occupy, or possess the same, on either an exclusive or nonexclusive basis.

"Owner," when used in reference to a lot, building, or structure, means any person who holds a legal or equitable interest therein.

"Structure" has the same meaning as set forth in the zoning regulations of this code.

"Use" has the same meaning as set forth in the zoning regulation of this code.

The definitions set forth in other chapters of this code shall apply to this chapter.

(Ord. 947 § 3, 2002: Ord. 841 § 1 (part), 1995.)

It is declared to be a public nuisance for the owner and/or occupant of any lot in the City of Camarillo to maintain or permit the maintenance of any such lot:

A. Any building or structure which:

1. Is structurally unsafe; and/or

2. Is not provided with adequate ingress and egress; and/or

3. Which constitutes a fire hazard; and/or

4. Which constitutes a health hazard; and/or

5. Is otherwise dangerous to human life.

B. Topography which, whether in natural state or as a result of erosion or grading operations, causes, or is likely to cause, erosion, subsidence or surface water runoff which will, or may be, injurious to persons and/or to adjacent public or private properties; and/or

C. Any condition which constitutes a fire or health hazard including, but not limited to, overgrowth of vegetation or the accumulation of debris; and/or

D. Any building or structure in such condition so that the same is defective, unsightly or in such condition of deterioration or disrepair that the same causes, or may be reasonably expected to cause, any diminution of the property values of buildings and/or structures located on adjacent lots or to the city as a whole and/or its residents, and/or interferes with the peaceful use, possession and/or enjoyment of such adjacent lots and/or improvements on such adjacent lots; and/or

E. Any building, structure or use which has been constructed and/or is maintained in violation of any applicable law, as such laws now exist or may hereafter be lawfully amended or otherwise made applicable to such building or structure including, but not limited to, the provisions of this code; and/or

F. Any building, use or structure which does not comply with all of the regulations and provisions of this code, including, but not limited to, the city's official zoning ordinance, as it now exists, or as it may hereafter lawfully be amended or otherwise made applicable to such building, use or structure; and/or

G. Any material the existence of which constitutes, or may constitute, a danger to persons or property, including, but not limited to, hazardous materials; and/or

H. Any building, use or structure wherein one or more persons engages in two or more acts which are prohibited pursuant to the laws of the state of California, the provisions of this code or any other penal ordinance of this city, including, but not limited to the following acts:

1. Unlawful possession and/or use of Controlled Substances; and/or

2. Prostitution; and/or

3. Gambling; and/or

4. Solicitation for any unlawful conduct.

As used in this subsection (H), "one or more" includes employees, partners, principals, joint venturers, corporate officers, agents and/or other persons, acting at the direction of, and/or with the knowledge and/or consent of the owner and/or occupant of the lot or the building, structure or use located thereon, who commits conduct of all or any of the acts described in this subsection (H), in the utilization of such building, structure or use.

I. Any animal, reptile or insect in such a manner as to pose a threat, disturbance, danger or menace to persons or property of another; or

J. Any device, instrument, vehicle or machinery such that the operation or maintenance causes noise, vibrations, dust, exhaust or fumes which cause or may cause discomfort or annoyance to reasonable persons of normal sensitivity or endangers the comfort, repose, health or peace of the residents in the area; or

K. Underground or aboveground storage vessels or tanks if the use of the same has ceased for a period in excess of six months or more; or

L. Refuse, rubbish, garbage, offal, animal excrement or other waste materials which are not stored and disposed of in accordance with provisions of this code or other applicable law; or

M. A method of disposing of animal excrement in such a manner as to expose the excrement to fly and/or maggot infestation or resultant odor; or

N. Animal excrement so as to permit the same to runoff onto any adjacent property; or

O. The accumulation or storage of abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative trailers, campers, boats, airplanes, automobiles, vehicles or other mobile equipment, or parts thereof, on any portion of a lot which is visible from the public right-of-way or any adjoining properties unless such is stored or parked in a lawful manner on the lots; or

P. An attractive nuisance which is or may be dangerous to children, including but not limited to:

1. Abandoned or broken equipment or machinery, or

2. Unfenced or otherwise unprotected swimming pools, spas, ponds or excavations, or

3. Refrigerators, iceboxes or deepfreeze lockers having a capacity of one and one-half cubic feet or more which is not being used, without removing the door or such portion of the latch, magnetic gasket or locking mechanism as will prevent the latching or locking of the door, or

4. Uncapped or otherwise dangerous wells.

Q. Broken or discarded furniture or household furnishings and/or equipment; or

R. Garbage or trash containers which are stored contrary to the provisions of this code, except when lawfully placed for collection at the times permitted therefore; or

S. Packing boxes, lumber, junk, trash or other materials and debris maintained outside of a building; or

T. Any building, fence, landscaping or structure, and/or the access thereto, so that the same is subjected to the repeated placement of graffiti thereon. For the purpose of this subsection (T), the words "building," "fence," "landscaping," "structure," and "graffiti" shall be defined as is set forth in Chapter 10.48, commencing with Section 10.48.010 et seq., of this code; or

U. An area equaling fifty percent or more of the lot containing weeds or grasses in excess of twelve inches in height; or

V. Weeds, rubbish or other material in such a manner as to constitute a source of wingy or downy seeds when mature;

W. That sells, serves, or distributes alcoholic beverages, and which, by virtue of its operation, management, or associated activities, results in or contributes to adverse impacts on the public health, safety, peace, or general welfare of the surrounding community, including, without limitation:

1. Repeated disturbances of the peace, including but not limited to: fights, loud or unruly behavior, harassment, public intoxication, or other disorderly conduct.

2. Criminal activity, including illegal drug use or sales occurring on or adjacent to the premises.

3. Excessive or persistent noise, especially during late-night hours, in violation of city noise ordinances.

4. Litter, graffiti, property damage, or vandalism attributable to patrons or the business' operations.

5. Failure to implement and maintain security measures, such trained personnel, lighting, surveillance cameras, or other conditions of approval.

6. Sale or furnishing of alcoholic beverages to minors.

7. A pattern of calls for service to law enforcement, fire, or code enforcement related to nuisance behavior, criminal activity, or safety issues originating from the premises.

X. Any violation of Chapter 9.32 of this code.

(Ord. 892 § 4, 1998; Ord. 841 § 1 (part), 1995.)

(Ord. No. 2036, § 4, 1-28-2026)

Where a spill, as defined in Section 9.14.010 et seq., occurs on private property, the same shall be deemed to be a public nuisance within the meaning of this code, and shall be subject to the nuisance abatement process in this code.

(Ord. 947 § 4, 2002: Ord. 870 § 2, 1997.)