Earlier editions: 2026-09
Title 9 — HEALTH AND SANITATION
Cupertino Municipal Code Ch. 9.22 Property Maintenance
Cupertino Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-05 · Cupertino
Cite as: Cupertino Municipal Code Chapter 9.22 · Text as of 2026-10-05
9.22.010 Purpose.¶
The purpose of this chapter is to promote the health, safety and welfare of the people of the City of Cupertino, and to protect the City’s neighborhoods against blighting and deteriorating influences or conditions that contribute to the downgrading of neighborhood aesthetics and property values by establishing minimum standards, in addition to standards contained in other laws, rules and regulations, for the maintenance of all building exteriors, premises and vacant land.
(Ord. 2165, § 1 (part), 2017; Ord. 2025, (part), 2008; Ord. 1793, (part), 1998)
9.22.020 Unlawful Acts.¶
Except for any property which has a valid permit to maintain such a condition, no owner(s), agent(s) or lessee(s) or other person(s) occupying or having control of any real property (including City property) within the City shall maintain or allow to be maintained any of the following conditions except as allowed in Table 9.22.020:
Table 9.22.020
| Unlawful Acts | In any front, side or rear yard areas visible from a public street or sidewalk |
|---|---|
| A. Storage or placement of any of the following that could be unsightly and/ |
|
| 1. Household appliances, equipment, machinery, or furniture, other than that designed and used for outdoor activities, including, but not limited to, refrigerators, washing machines, sinks, stoves, heaters, boilers, tanks, or any part of any listed item; | Not Allowed in excess of 72 hours |
| 2. Loose materials, including but not limited to, sand dirt, gravel, concrete or any similar materials; | Not Allowed, except if screened with temporary construction fencing while permitted, active and continuous, construction is occurring on the property |
| 3. Building materials, including but not limited to, lumber, fixtures, or salvage materials recovered during demolition; | Not Allowed, except if screened with temporary construction fencing while permitted, active and continuous, construction is occurring on the property |
| 4. Temporary fencing; | Not Allowed, except while permitted, active and continuous, construction is occurring on the property |
| 5. Storage containers and similar items; | Not Allowed on more than two (2) occasions in a twelve-month period, and not more than fifteen (15) days on each occasion, separated by at least 60 days. |
| B. An accumulation of: | B. An accumulation of: |
| 1. Glass, paper, metal, plastic, or other recyclables | Not Allowed |
| 2. Litter, junk, machine parts, scrap material, waste paper, boxes and cartons, packing materials, combustible trash, tires, or vehicle parts; | Not Allowed |
| C. Dead, decayed, or diseased trees, weeds, or other vegetation likely to cause a fire or health hazard, an infestation, or a habitat for rodents; | Not Allowed |
| D. A lack of adequate landscaping, or groundcover sufficient to prevent blowing dust and erosion; | Not Allowed |
| E. Tree stump(s) with a trunk diameter greater than six inches and a height of greater than 2.5 feet. As used herein “tree stump” means the base part of a tree or the trunk protruding above ground in which 90% or more of the foliage or canopy of the tree has been removed. This prohibition applies to all tree stumps in the City including those described in Chapters 14.12 (Street Trees) and in Chapter 14.18 (Protected Trees). Excepted from this prohibition are trees which are pollarded in accordance with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A300-2001 standards. | Not Allowed |
| F. Maintenance of any structure in a state of substantial deterioration, where such condition would have a tendency to depreciate the aesthetic and property values of surrounding properties, including but not limited to, peeling paint on a façade, broken windows, damaged porches, broken steps, roofs in disrepair, and other such deterioration or disrepair not otherwise constituting a violation; | Not Allowed |
(Ord. 2165, § 1 (part), 2017; Ord. 2025, (part), 2008; Ord. 1793, (part), 1998)
9.22.030 Penalties.¶
Any person who violates the provisions of this chapter shall upon conviction by guilty of an infraction punishable in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 1.12.
(Ord. 2165, § 1 (part), 2017; Ord. 2025, (part), 2008; Ord. 1793, (part), 1998)
9.22.040 Enforcement of Other Laws Unaffected.¶
Nothing in this chapter affects the power of the City or authorized law enforcement officers to prosecute violators of any statute of the State of California or other ordinances of the City (including the provisions of Chapter 1.09 and Section 1.12.030 regarding nuisance abatement.)
(Ord. 2165, § 1 (part), 2017; Ord. 2025, (part), 2008; Ord. 1793, (part), 1998)
9.22.050 Notice to Franchise Tax Board.¶
If a property owner fails to correct a violation relating to substandard housing within six months or the time prescribed in a written notice of violation, whichever is later, the City Manager or his designee may submit a notice of noncompliance to the Franchise Tax Board to prohibit individuals, banks and corporations from claiming deductions for interest, taxes, depreciation or amortization with respect to the substandard housing pursuant to the provisions of Sections 17274 and 24436.5, as applicable, of the California Revenue and Taxation Code.
(Ord. 2165, § 1 (part), 2017; Ord. 2025, (part), 2008; Ord. 1793, (part), 1998)
9.22.060 Substandard Housing Conditions Prohibited.¶
A. No property owner(s), agent(s), lessee(s), responsible party, any other person(s) or entity having control of, or control over the occupancy of any real property (including City property) within the City shall maintain or allow to be maintained any of the following conditions:
Any building, residence and/or structure, or portion thereof, used for human occupancy in substandard condition, as defined by California Health and Safety Code section 17920.3 et. seq.
Any building, residence and/or structure, or portion thereof, used for human occupancy to create a hazardous condition or environment, as defined by California Health and Safety Code section 17920.10 et. seq.
B. Fees.
Upon receiving a formal notification of any substandard housing violations in accordance with Chapter 1.10, the owner(s), agent(s), lessee(s), responsible party(s), and any other person(s) or entity having control of, or control over the occupancy of any real property shall be jointly responsible to cure the violations by completing any required corrective actions or measures as listed and shall be jointly and severally liable for any liability arising from a violation of this section.
Upon deadline lapse and after one (1) re-inspection after which there was no progress noted, the City Manager or their designee may require a re-inspection fee, which may be established by a resolution of the City Council.
Nothing herein shall preclude the City Council from imposing additional fees to pay the cost of administering this section; provided, however, that no fee shall be charged for the inspection of or any inspection report about any property done or prepared pursuant to this section unless the inspection reveals one or more material violations of Health & Safety Code section 17920.10 or deems and declares the property substandard pursuant to Health & Safety Code section 17920.3.
C. Enforcement. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 9.22.030, any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be subject to enforcement under Chapter 1.10, including but not limited to section 1.10.070 (C), and to prosecution under Chapter 1.12.
(Ord. 2250, § 1 (part), 2023)
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