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Chapter 134 — ABATEMENT OF CHRONIC NUISANCE PROPERTIES

§ 134.11 COMMENCEMENT OF ACTION.

Eureka Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Eureka

(A) Once the matter is referred to the City Attorney, the City Attorney shall immediately review and make a determination to initiate legal action authorized under this chapter or state statute, or may seek alternative forms of abatement of the nuisance activity. The City Attorney may initiate legal action on the chronic nuisance property and seek civil penalties and costs in court for the abatement of the nuisance.

(B) In determining whether a property shall be deemed a chronic nuisance property and subject to the court's jurisdiction, the city shall have the initial burden of proof to show by a preponderance of the evidence that the property is a chronic nuisance property. The city may submit official police reports and other affidavits outlining the information that led to arrest(s), and other chronic nuisance activity occurring or existing at the property. The failure to prosecute an individual, or the fact no one has been convicted of a crime is not a defense to a chronic nuisance action.

(C) Once a court determines the property to be a chronic nuisance, the court may impose a civil penalty against any or all of the persons responsible for the property, and may order any other relief deemed appropriate. A civil penalty may be assessed for no less than $500 and no more than $1,000 per day for each day the nuisance activity continued to occur following the date of the original warning by the Chief of Police or his or her designee(s), as described in § 134.08. In assessing the civil penalty, the court may consider the following factors, citing to those found applicable:

  • (1) The actions taken by the person responsible to mitigate or correct the nuisance activity;

  • (2) The repeated or continuous nature of the nuisance activity;

  • (3) The statements of the neighbors or those affected by the nuisance activity; and

  • (4) Any other factor deemed relevant by the court.

  • (D) The court which determined the property to be a chronic nuisance property shall also assess costs against the person responsible in the amount it costs the city to abate, or attempt to abate, the nuisance property.

  • (E) The court shall have jurisdiction of all civil infractions issued pursuant to this chapter.

(F) If the court determines the property to be a chronic nuisance property, the court shall order the property closed and secured against all unauthorized access, use and occupancy pursuant to § 134.12 below.

(Ord. 817-C.S., passed 10-20-15)

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▸ Contents — Eureka Zoning Code
Eureka Zoning Code
  1. Article I — NAME AND SEAL; FORM OF GOVERNMENT; BOUNDARIES; MUN…
  2. Article II — ELECTIONS
  3. Article III — CITY COUNCIL
  4. Article IV — MAYOR
  5. Article V — ORDINANCES
  6. Article VI — ADMINISTRATION
  7. Article VII — FISCAL ADMINISTRATION
  8. Article VIII — OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
  9. Article IX — FRANCHISES
  10. Article X — INITIATIVE, REFERENDUM AND RECALL
  11. Article XI — MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
  12. Chapter 10 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
  13. Chapter 30 — CITY COUNCIL
  14. Chapter 31 — CITY OFFICIALS
  15. Chapter 32 — CITY DEPARTMENTS
  16. Chapter 33 — BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES
  17. Chapter 34 — PERSONNEL POLICIES
  18. Chapter 35 — FINANCE, REVENUE AND TAXATION
  19. Chapter 36 — HEALTH FACILITY REVENUE BONDS
  20. Chapter 37 — ELECTIONS
  21. Chapter 38 — CIVIL EMERGENCIES
  22. Chapter 39 — CITY POLICY
  23. Chapter 40 — TRANSFERS OF CITY-OWNED REAL PROPERTY
  24. Chapter 50 — SEWERS
  25. Chapter 51 — SOLID WASTE
  26. Chapter 52 — UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICTS
  27. Chapter 53 — WATER
  28. Chapter 54 — STORM WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT AND DISCHARGE CONT…
  29. Chapter 55 — ENERGY
  30. Chapter 56 — STREETS
  31. Chapter 70 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
  32. Chapter 71 — TRAFFIC RULES
  33. Chapter 72 — STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING
  34. Chapter 73 — BICYCLES
  35. Chapter 75 — MOBILE VENDORS OPERATING UPON A STREET
  36. Chapter 90 — ABANDONED VEHICLES
  37. Chapter 91 — ANIMALS
  38. Chapter 92 — FIRE PREVENTION
  39. Chapter 93 — PARKS AND RECREATION
  40. Chapter 94 — HEALTH AND SANITATION
  41. Chapter 95 — MUNICIPAL AIRPORT
  42. Chapter 96 — PARADES AND ASSEMBLIES
  43. Chapter 97 — SMOKING
  44. Chapter 98 — STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
  45. Chapter 99 — TRAINS AND RAILROADS
  46. Chapter 100 — HARBOR REGULATIONS
  47. Chapter 101 — FILMING
  48. Chapter 102 — BEEKEEPING
  49. Chapter 103 — PRIVATE SECURITY AND FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
  50. Chapter 104 — MILITARY EQUIPMENT USE
  51. Chapter 110 — BUSINESS LICENSES
  52. Chapter 112 — AMBULANCES
  53. Chapter 113 — AMUSEMENTS
  54. Chapter 114 — CABLE TELEVISION SYSTEMS
  55. Chapter 115 — FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS AND OUTDOOR DINING AREAS
  56. Chapter 117 — MASSAGE PARLORS
  57. Chapter 118 — SOLICITORS, CANVASSERS, AND SIDEWALK VENDORS
  58. Chapter 119 — SECOND-HAND DEALERS
  59. Chapter 120 — TAXICABS AND LIMOUSINES
  60. Chapter 121 — OTHER VEHICLES FOR HIRE
  61. Chapter 122 — FOREIGN-TRADE ZONE
  62. Chapter 130 — OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC PEACE AND SAFETY
  63. Chapter 131 — PROPERTY OFFENSES
  64. Chapter 132 — DRUG OFFENSES
  65. Chapter 133 — WEAPONS OFFENSES
  66. ▸ Chapter 134 — ABATEMENT OF CHRONIC NUISANCE PROPERTIES
    Overview
    1. § 134.01 SHORT TITLE.
    2. § 134.02 PURPOSE.
    3. § 134.03 DEFINITIONS.
    4. § 134.04 SCOPE OF APPLICATION.
    5. § 134.05 AUTHORITY.
    6. § 134.06 CHRONIC NUISANCES PROHIBITED.
    7. § 134.07 VIOLATION.
    8. § 134.08 WARNING NOTICE.
    9. § 134.09 CHRONIC NUISANCE DESIGNATION.
    10. § 134.10 VOLUNTARY ABATEMENT PLAN.
    11. § 134.11 COMMENCEMENT OF ACTION.
    12. § 134.12 SUMMARY CLOSURE.
    13. § 134.13 SEVERABILITY.
  67. Chapter 150 — BUILDING REGULATIONS
  68. Chapter 151 — AIRPORT ZONING
  69. Chapter 152 — PLANNING AND ZONING ADMINISTRATION
  70. Chapter 153 — FLOOD HAZARD AREA REGULATIONS
  71. Chapter 154 — SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS
  72. Chapter 155 — ZONING REGULATIONS
  73. Chapter 155 — ZONING REGULATIONS (old)
  74. Chapter 156 — COASTAL ZONING REGULATIONS
  75. Chapter 157 — HISTORIC PRESERVATION
  76. Chapter 158 — CANNABIS
  77. Chapter 159 — WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES

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