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Chapter 15 — VACANT PROPERTY MAINTENANCE, SECURITY AND REGISTRATION

Chapter 15 — VACANT PROPERTY MAINTENANCE, SECURITY AND REGISTRATION

Ojai Municipal Code · 2026-07 edition · updated 2026-09-27 · Ojai

§ 9-15.01. Purpose/scope.

Vacant buildings are a major cause and source of blight in both residential and non-residential neighborhoods, especially when the owner of the building fails to actively maintain and manage the building to ensure that it does not become a liability to the neighborhood. Vacant buildings (whether or not those buildings are boarded), substandard or unkempt buildings and long-term vacancies discourage economic development and retard appreciation of property values. Vacant buildings are potential fire hazards and can jeopardize the ability of owners of neighboring property from securing or maintaining affordable fire insurance. It is the responsibility of property ownership to prevent owned property from becoming a burden to the neighborhood and community and a threat to the public health, safety or welfare. One vacant building which is not actively and well maintained and managed can be the core and cause of spreading blight. (§ 1, Ord. 811, eff. December 9, 2010, as amended by § 2, Ord. 859, eff. November 14, 2015)

§ 9-15.02. Definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter, certain words and phrases used in this chapter are defined as follows:

"Abatement plan" means a written plan for the remediation and abatement of vacant buildings prepared in accordance with the requirements of Section 9-15.12 of this chapter.

"Agreement" means any agreement or written instrument which provides that title to property shall be transferred or conveyed from one owner to another owner after the sale, trade, transfer or exchange.

"Assignment of rents" means an instrument that transfers the beneficial interest under a deed of trust from one lender/entity to another.

"Beneficiary" means a lender under a note secured by a deed of trust.

"Boarded building" means a vacant building or portion of a vacant building whose doors and windows have been covered with plywood or other material for the purpose of preventing entry into the vacant building by persons or animals.

"Building" means any improved real property, or portion thereof, situated in the City, designed or permitted to be used for dwelling and/or business purposes and shall separately include each building or structure located on such improved real property. This includes any real property being offered for sale, trade, transfer, or exchange as "residential," "commercial" or "village mixed use" whether or not it is legally permitted and/or zoned for such use.

"Dangerous building" means any building/structure that is in violation of any condition referenced in the International Code Council's International Property Maintenance Code, most recent edition. A copy of the International Code Council's International Property Management Code, most recent edition, shall be maintained for public inspection at the Department, City Hall.

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City of Ojai, CA

BUILDING REGULATIONS

§ 9-15.02

§ 9-15.02

"Days" means consecutive calendar days.

"Deed in lieu of foreclosure/sale" means a recorded document that transfers ownership of a property from the trustor to the holder of a deed of trust upon consent of the beneficiary of the deed of trust.

"Deed of trust" means an instrument by which title to real estate is transferred to a third party trustee as security for a real estate loan. Used in California instead of a mortgage. This definition applies to any and all subsequent deeds of trust, i.e., second trust deed, third trust deed, etc.

"Default" means the failure to fulfill a contractual obligation, monetary or conditional.

"Department" means the City of Ojai Community Development Department.

"Director" means the Director of Community Development or designee.

"Distressed" means a property that is under a current notice of default and/or notice of trustee's sale and/or pending tax assessor's lien sale or has been foreclosed upon by the trustee or has been conveyed to the beneficiary/trustee via a deed in lieu of foreclosure/sale.

"Evidence of vacancy" means any condition that combined with other conditions present would lead a reasonable person to believe that the property is vacant. Such conditions include, but are not limited to, overgrown and/or dead vegetation, accumulation of newspapers, circulars, flyers and/or mail, past due utility notices and/or disconnected utilities, accumulation of trash, junk and/or debris, the absence of window coverings such as curtains, blinds and/or shutters.

"Foreclosure" means the process by which a property, placed as security for a real estate loan, is sold at auction to satisfy the debt if the trustor (borrower) defaults.

"Legally-occupied" means:

  • (1) Occupation by the owner, or an entity controlled by the owner, or occupation by employees of the owner, or employees of an entity controlled by the owner, for the purpose of engaging in a legitimate and lawful business open to the general public on a day-to-day basis; or

  • (2) Occupation by a tenant of the owner, or entity controlled by the owner's tenant, or occupation by employees of the tenant of the owner, or employees of an entity controlled by the owner's tenant, for the purpose of engaging in a legitimate and lawful business, open to the general public, on a day-to-day basis;

  • (3) Occupation of a residential dwelling by an owner or a tenant of an owner.

"Local" means within the territorial jurisdiction of the Counties of Ventura and Santa Barbara, California.

"Notice of default" means a recorded notice that a default has occurred under a deed of trust and that the beneficiary intends to proceed with a trustee's sale.

"Official" means the City of Ojai Building Official.

"Out of area" means outside the territorial jurisdiction of the Counties of Ventura and Santa Barbara, California.

"Owner" means any person, co-partnership, association, corporation, or fiduciary having a legal or equitable title or any interest in any real property.

"Owner of record" means the person having recorded title to the property at any given point in

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City of Ojai, CA § 9-15.02

OJAI CODE

§ 9-15.04

time the record is provided by the Ventura County Recorder's Office.

"Property" means any improved real property, or portion thereof, situated in the City and includes the buildings or structures located on the property regardless of condition.

"Securing" means such measures as may be directed by the Director or his or her designee that assist in rendering the property inaccessible to unauthorized persons, including, but not limited to, the repairing of fences and walls, chaining/padlocking of gates, the repair or boarding of door, window and/or other openings. Boarding shall be completed to a minimum of the current HUD securing standards at the time the boarding is completed or required.

"Send" a letter means send by U.S. Postal Service certified mail with return receipt requested.

"Trustee" means the person, firm or corporation holding a deed of trust on a property.

"Trustor" means a borrower under a deed of trust, who deeds property to a trustee as security for the payment of a debt.

"Vacant" means:

  • (1) For a single use/occupancy building/structure, where there exists no legal occupancy; and

  • (2) For a multi-use/occupancy building/structure, any separate unit in a multi-unit building for which there exists no legal occupancy or other evidence of vacancy.

  • (§ 1, Ord. 811, eff. December 9, 2010, as amended by § 2, Ord. 859, eff. November 14, 2015)

§ 9-15.03. Owner/trustee/beneficiary responsibilities.

  • (a) No person, corporation or other entity shall allow a building designed for human use or occupancy that is subject to this chapter to stand vacant for more than 90 days, unless the owner/trustee/beneficiary establishes by substantial evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Director that one of the following applies:

    • (1) The building is the subject of an active building permit for repair or rehabilitation and the owner is progressing diligently to complete the repair or rehabilitation;

    • (2) The building meets all applicable health and safety codes, is not a dangerous building, and is maintained to the levels required in Section 9-15.10(a); or

    • (3) There is no evidence of vacancy as defined in Section 9-15.02.

  • (b) The owner/trustee/beneficiary of any boarded building, whether boarded by voluntary action of the owner, or as a result of enforcement activity by the City, shall cause the boarded building to be in compliance with all applicable health and safety codes, to ensure the building is not a dangerous building, and to ensure the building is maintained to the levels required in Section 9-15.10(a).

  • (c) Within 14 days of the purchase and/or transfer of a loan/deed of trust secured by property the new owner/beneficiary/trustee shall record, with the Ventura County Recorder's office, an assignment of rents, or similar document, that lists the name of each new owner/ beneficiary/trustee, as applicable, and the mailing address and contact telephone number of the new trustee responsible for receiving payments associated with the loan/deed of trust.

  • (§ 1, Ord. 811, eff. December 9, 2010, as amended by § 2, Ord. 859, eff. November 14, 2015)

§ 9-15.04. Identification and evaluation of vacant buildings; Notifications.

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City of Ojai, CA

BUILDING REGULATIONS

§ 9-15.04

§ 9-15.05

  • (a) The Department shall perform periodic patrols (at least every 60 days) on all City streets to identify potential vacant buildings.

  • (b) The Department shall solicit public input to identify potential vacant buildings, via posting on the City website and notation on the published agendas of the Ojai City Council, Ojai Planning Commission, and Ojai Building Appeals Board.

  • (c) The Director shall evaluate each noted (by patrol) or reported potential vacant building and produce a written finding as to whether the building is vacant as defined in Section 9-15.02. If the building is determined to be a vacant building, the Director shall also produce a written finding as to whether the vacant building is abandoned, dangerous or substandard, as defined in Section 9-15.02. This latter finding shall be based in part on a lawful inspection by the Official to determine if violations of the California Building Code exist, including, but not limited to, fire and life safety hazards and substandard conditions.

  • (d) The Director shall send a letter, within seven days of the date of the written finding, to the owner/beneficiary/trustee of each designated vacant building setting forth and citing in detail (by explicit reference to the Ojai Municipal Code and the Building Code) those items and actions required by the City in order to bring the vacant building into compliance with the provisions of this chapter, including, but not limited to:

    • (1) Securing the vacant building against unlawful entry as defined in Section 9-15.11;

    • (2) Registering the vacant building with the Department as defined in Section 9-15.05;

    • (3) Monitoring the vacant building and reporting to the Department as defined in Section 9-15.05; and

    • (4) Correcting any conditions that have caused the vacant building to be designated as abandoned, dangerous or substandard, as described in the Director's abatement plan as defined in Section 9-15.12(a).

The letter shall also specify final compliance dates for:

  • (5) Securing the vacant building against unlawful entry—seven days from the date of mailing of the letter;

  • (6) Registering the vacant building with the Department—14 days from the date of mailing of the letter, per Section 9-15.05;

  • (7) Initiating monitoring of and reporting on the vacant building—14 days from the date of mailing of the letter, per Section 9-15.05; and

  • (8) Obtaining any necessary or required building or other permits and completing any and all remediation required by the Director's abatement plan 90 days from the date of mailing of the letter, per Section 9-15.12(c).

  • (§ 1, Ord. 811, eff. December 9, 2010, as amended by § 2, Ord. 859, eff. November 14, 2015)

§ 9-15.05. Registration and monitoring/reporting requirements for vacant properties.

Any beneficiary/trustee who holds a deed of trust on a property located within the City shall perform an inspection of the property that is the security for the deed of trust, upon default by the owner or trustor, prior to recording a notice of default with the Ventura County Recorder's

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City of Ojai, CA

OJAI CODE

§ 9-15.05

§ 9-15.06

office. If the property is found to be vacant or shows evidence of vacancy, the beneficiary/trustee shall, within 14 days of the finding and sending of a letter by the Director detailing the finding, register the property with the Director or designee on forms provided by the City.

If the property is occupied but remains in default or is distressed, it shall be inspected by the beneficiary/trustee, or his or her designee, monthly until: (1) the owner, trustor or other party remedies the default; or (2) it is found to be vacant or shows evidence of vacancy at which time it is deemed abandoned, and the beneficiary/trustee shall, within 14 days of that inspection, register the property with the Director, or designee, on forms provided by the City.

In either case the registration shall contain the name of the beneficiary/trustee (corporation or individual), the direct street/office mailing address of the beneficiary/trustee (no post office boxes), a direct contact name and telephone number for the beneficiary/trustee and, in the case of a corporation or out-of-area beneficiary/trustee, the local property management company responsible for the security, maintenance and marketing of the property. Registration fees will not be prorated.

An annual registration fee shall accompany the registration form. The fee and registration shall be valid for the calendar year, or remaining portion of the calendar year, in which the registration was initially required. Subsequent registrations and fees are due January 1st of each year and must be received no later than January 31st of the year due.

This section shall also apply to properties that have been the subject of a foreclosure sale where the title was transferred to the beneficiary of a deed of trust involved in the foreclosure and any properties transferred under a deed in lieu of foreclosure/sale.

Properties subject to this chapter shall remain under the annual registration requirement, security and maintenance standards of this section as long as they remain vacant.

Any person, firm or corporation that has registered a property under this chapter must report any change of information contained in the registration within 14 days of the change. (§ 1, Ord. 811, eff. December 9, 2010, as amended by § 2, Ord. 859, eff. November 14, 2015)

§ 9-15.06. Monitoring program—Purpose.

  • (a) Vacant buildings are a major cause and source of blight in residential and non-residential neighborhoods, especially when the owner/beneficiary/trustee of the building fails to maintain and manage the building to ensure that it does not become a liability to the neighborhood. Vacant buildings often attract transients and criminals, including drug users. Use of vacant buildings by transients and criminals, who may employ primitive cooking or heating methods, creates a risk of fire for the vacant buildings and adjacent properties. Vacant properties are often used as dumping grounds for junk and debris and are often overgrown with weeds and grass. Vacant and boarded buildings discourage economic development and retard appreciation of property values.

  • (b) Because of the potential economic and public health, welfare and safety problems caused by vacant buildings, the City needs to monitor vacant buildings, so that they do not become attractive nuisances, are not used by trespassers, are properly maintained both inside and out and do not become a blighting influence in the neighborhood. There is a substantial cost to the City for monitoring vacant buildings (whether or not those buildings are boarded up) which should be borne by the owners/beneficiaries/trustees of the vacant buildings. The fees for a monitoring program pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be separate

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City of Ojai, CA

BUILDING REGULATIONS

§ 9-15.06

§ 9-15.07

from and in addition to any registration fees or administrative citation fines required or otherwise assessed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

(§ 1, Ord. 811, eff. December 9, 2010, as amended by § 2, Ord. 859, eff. November 14, 2015)

§ 9-15.07. Monitoring program—Departmental responsibility and fees.

  • (a) Authority. The Director shall be responsible for administering a program for identifying and monitoring the maintenance of all vacant buildings in the City. The program shall be documented and regularly updated. The program shall be available for public review.

  • (b) Purposes. The purposes of the monitoring program shall be to:

    • (1) Identify buildings which become vacant;

    • (2) Order vacant buildings which are open and accessible to be secured against unlawful entry pursuant to Title 9, Chapter 1 of this Code, including the building code and the code for the abatement of dangerous buildings code and pursuant to the requirements for securing a building specified in Sections 9-15.02 and 9-15.11;

    • (3) Initiate proceedings against the owner/beneficiary/trustee of any vacant or dangerous building found to be substandard as defined in Title 9, Chapter 1, Article 5 or a nuisance under Title 5, Chapter 6 of this Code;

    • (4) Prepare a written abatement plan for all vacant buildings, specifying those measures required by the City in order for the owner/beneficiary/trustee to bring the vacant building into compliance with the provisions of this chapter;

    • (5) Maintain surveillance over vacant buildings so that timely code enforcement proceedings are commenced in the event a building becomes substandard or a nuisance; and

    • (6) Establish and enforce rules and regulations for the implementation and compliance with the provisions of Section 9-15.03.

  • (c) Fee imposed. There is imposed upon every owner/beneficiary/trustee of a vacant building monitored pursuant to this chapter, a monthly vacant building monitoring fee in an initial amount as the City Council may establish by resolution, provided that the fee shall not exceed the estimated reasonable cost of monitoring the vacant building. The fee shall be payable as to any building, residential or non-residential, which:

    • (1) Is boarded up by voluntary action of the owner/beneficiary/trustee or as the result of enforcement activities by the City; or

    • (2) Is vacant for more than 90 days for any reason.

  • (d) Fee waiver. The vacant building monitoring fee shall be waived upon a showing by the owner that:

    • (1) The owner/beneficiary/trustee has obtained a building permit and is processing diligently to repair the premises for occupancy; or

    • (2) The building meets all applicable codes and is actively being offered for sale, lease or rent; or

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City of Ojai, CA

OJAI CODE

§ 9-15.07

§ 9-15.09

  • (3) Imposition of the fee would impose a substantial economic hardship on the owner/ beneficiary or would hinder the rehabilitation of the building.

  • (e) Procedure. The vacant building monitoring fee shall be billed to the owner or beneficiary of the property, or trustee if a notice of default has been recorded on the property, and mailed to the owner of record's address as set forth on the last equalized assessment roll of the County Assessor. Any owner/beneficiary/trustee billed may apply for a waiver on the grounds set forth in subsection (d) of this section by submitting a written statement of the grounds for the waiver and the owner/beneficiary/trustee's daytime telephone number to the Director within 30 days after the billing is mailed to the owner. The owner/beneficiary/ trustee shall provide substantial evidence in support of the owner/beneficiary/trustee's statement of the grounds for the waiver. The Director shall review the written statement and all related evidence and may contact the owner/beneficiary/trustee to discuss the application for waiver. The Director shall prepare a written decision which shall be mailed to the owner/beneficiary/trustee and shall set forth the reasons for the decision.

  • (f) Appeal. Any owner/beneficiary/trustee aggrieved by the decision of the Director relating to an application for waiver may appeal the Director's decision to the Appeals Hearing Board in the manner provided in Title 1, Chapter 6 of this Code.

  • (g) Non-payment of fee. If the fee is not paid within 60 days after billing, or within 60 days after the decision of the Director or the hearing officer, the City Council may thereupon order that the fee be specially assessed against the property involved. If the City Council orders that the fee be specially assessed against the property, it shall confirm the assessment and thereafter said assessment may be collected at the same time and in the same manner as ordinary real property taxes are collected and shall be subject to the same penalties and the same procedure and sale in case of delinquency as provided for ordinary real property taxes. All laws applicable to the levy, collection and enforcement of real property taxes are applicable to the special assessment.

  • (h) Notice of lien. The City Council may also cause a notice of lien to be recorded. The notice shall, at a minimum, identify the record owner or possessor of the property, set forth the last known address of the owner of record or possessor, a description of the real property subject to the lien and the amount of the fee.

  • (§ 1, Ord. 811, eff. December 9, 2010, as amended by § 2, Ord. 859, eff. November 14, 2015)

§ 9-15.08. (Reserved)

§ 9-15.09. Local property management requirement.

  • (a) If a property is determined to be vacant by the Director and the property is owned by a corporation and/or out-of-area beneficiary, a local property management company shall be contracted to perform weekly inspections to verify that the requirements of this section, and any other applicable laws, are being met.

  • (b) The local property management company shall inspect the property on a weekly basis to determine if the property is in compliance with the abatement plan and other requirements of this chapter. If the property management company determines the property is not in compliance, it is the owner's/beneficiary's/trustee's responsibility to bring the property into compliance.

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City of Ojai, CA

BUILDING REGULATIONS

§ 9-15.09

§ 9-15.10

  • (c) The duties/obligations specified in this section shall be joint and several among and between all owners, trustees, and beneficiaries and their respective agents.

  • (d) If the owner/beneficiary/trustee fails to contract for a local property management company and initiate monitoring of the vacant building within 14 days of the Director's finding and notice, the Department shall separately contract with a local property management company for the monitoring and reporting, at the expense of the owner/beneficiary/trustee.

  • (§ 1, Ord. 811, eff. December 9, 2010, as amended by § 2, Ord. 859, eff. November 14, 2015)

§ 9-15.10. Maintenance requirements.

  • (a) Maintenance requirements. Properties subject to this chapter:

    • (1) Shall be in comparison to the standard of those properties within the same zoning designation, kept free of weeds, dry brush, dead vegetation, trash, junk, debris, building materials, any accumulation of newspapers, circulars, flyers, notices, except those required by Federal, State or local law, discarded personal items, including, but not limited to, furniture, clothing, large and small appliances, printed material or any other items that give the appearance that the property is vacant.

    • (2) Shall be maintained so that the exterior of the building, including, but not limited to, paint and finishes, are in good condition.

    • (3) Shall be maintained free of graffiti, tagging or similar markings by removal or painting over with an exterior grade paint that matches the color of the exterior of the structure.

    • (4) Shall be landscaped and maintained (visible front and side yards) in good condition and no less than the standard of those properties within the same zoning designation at the time registration was required.

  • (b) Landscape.

    • (1) Landscape includes, but is not limited to, grass, ground covers, bushes, shrubs, hedges or similar plantings, decorative rock or bark, decomposed granite or artificial turf/sod designed specifically for residential installation.

    • (2) Landscape does not include weeds, gravel, broken concrete, asphalt, plastic sheeting, mulch, indoor-outdoor carpet or any similar material.

  • (c) Maintenance defined.

    • (1) Maintenance includes, but is not limited to, regular watering, irrigation, cutting, pruning and mowing of required landscape and removal of all trimmings.

    • (2) Maintenance of the building in continuing compliance with all applicable health and safety codes, maintenance to ensure the building is not a dangerous building, and maintenance to the levels required in subsection (a).

    • (3) Pools and spas shall be kept in working order so the water remains clear and free of pollutants and debris or drained and kept dry. In either case properties with pools and/ or spas must comply with the minimum security fencing requirements of the State of California.

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City of Ojai, CA

OJAI CODE

§ 9-15.10

§ 9-15.12

  • (4) Windows screened, but not boarded, with opaque material that prevents interior space of the building from being visible from public rights-of-way or public property.

  • (5) Prevention of criminal activity on the property.

  • (d) Adherence to this section does not relieve the beneficiary/trustee or property owner of any obligations set forth in any covenants, conditions and restrictions and/or homeowners' association rules and regulations which may apply to the property.

  • (§ 1, Ord. 811, eff. December 9, 2010, as amended by § 2, Ord. 859, eff. November 14, 2015)

§ 9-15.11. Security requirements.

  • (a) Properties subject to this chapter shall be maintained in a secure manner so as not to be accessible to unauthorized persons.

  • (b) Secure manner includes, but is not limited to, the closure and locking of windows, doors (walkthrough, sliding and garage), gates and any other opening of such size that it may allow a child to access the interior of the property and/or structure. In the case of broken windows securing means the re-glazing of the window.

  • (c) Fencing shall be permitted, but only with the consent of, and under the direction of, the Director. No chain link or plastic fencing shall be permitted.

  • (d) If the property is owned by a corporation and/or out-of-area beneficiary/trustee/owner, a local property management company shall be contracted to perform weekly inspections to verify that the requirements of this section, and any other applicable laws, are being met.

  • (e) The parking of automobiles on the property, while vacant, for purposes of sale to the public shall not be permitted.

  • (f) The property shall be posted with name and 24 hour contact telephone number of the local property management company. The posting shall be no less than 18 inches by 24 inches and shall be of a font that is legible from a distance of 45 feet and shall contain along with the name and 24 hour contact number the words "THIS PROPERTY MANAGED BY" and "TO REPORT PROBLEMS OR CONCERNS CALL." The posting shall be placed on the interior of a window facing the street to the front of the property so it is visible from the street, or secured to the exterior of the building/structure facing the street to the front of the property so it is visible from the street or, if no such area exists, on a stake of sufficient size to support the posting in a location that is visible from the street to the front of the property but not readily accessible to vandals. Exterior posting must be constructed of and printed with weather resistant materials. The sign must be posted in a prominent location in compliance with these standards and as approved by the Official. A sign permit, pursuant to Title 10, Chapter 2, Article 16 of this Code, need not be obtained prior to the posting of the sign required by this subsection.

  • (g) If the owner/beneficiary/trustee fails to secure a vacant building within seven days of the finding by the Director, the Department shall separately contract with a local property management company for the securing of the vacant building, at the expense of the owner/ beneficiary/trustee.

  • (§ 1, Ord. 811, eff. December 9, 2010, as amended by § 2, Ord. 859, eff. November 14, 2015)

§ 9-15.12. Abatement plan.

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City of Ojai, CA

BUILDING REGULATIONS

§ 9-15.12

§ 9-15.16

  • (a) The Director shall prepare a written abatement plan for all vacant buildings within the City. The abatement plan shall set forth, in detail, those items and actions required by the City in order to bring the vacant building into compliance with the provisions of this chapter.

  • (b) A copy of the abatement plan shall be served on the owner/beneficiary/trustee of each vacant building. Service shall be effectuated by personal delivery or by depositing the abatement plan in the United States Postal Service certified mail, return receipt requested. Service is deemed to have occurred within five days from the date of mailing.

  • (c) In addition to service of the abatement plan, each owner/beneficiary/trustee shall be notified that he, she or it has 90 days in which to obtain any necessary or required building or other permits and complete any and all remediation required by the abatement plan. The Director, upon a showing by the owner/beneficiary/trustee of good cause, may extend the remediation period for up to an additional 90 days.

  • (d) An owner/beneficiary/trustee may appeal any or all requirements for abatement and/or remediation set forth within the Director's abatement plan to the Building Appeals Board within 21 days from receipt or deemed receipt thereof, pursuant to Title 10, Chapter 2, Article 30 of this Code.

  • (e) Failure of the owner/beneficiary/trustee to obtain all necessary permits and complete the remediation requirements of the abatement plan within the time required by this section, shall be deemed in violation thereof and subject to the provisions of Section 9-15.17 of this chapter.

  • (§ 1, Ord. 811, eff. December 9, 2010, as amended by § 2, Ord. 859, eff. November 14, 2015; § 3, Ord. 880, eff. January 11, 2018)

§ 9-15.13. Additional authority.

In addition to the enforcement remedies established in this Code and by law, the Director or designee shall have the authority to require the owner/beneficiary/trustee and/or owner of record of any property affected by this section to implement additional maintenance and/or security measures, including, but not limited to, securing any/all door, window or other openings, installing additional security lighting which may be required, increasing on-site inspection frequency, employment of an on-site security guard or other measures as may be reasonably required to arrest the decline of the property.

(§ 1, Ord. 811, eff. December 9, 2010, as amended by § 2, Ord. 859, eff. November 14, 2015)

§ 9-15.14. Fees.

The fees for registering and maintaining a vacant property and the fines for maintaining a vacant property in a manner not in compliance with this Code shall be set by resolution of the City Council. The amount of any fee shall not exceed the reasonable estimated cost of administering the provisions of this chapter.

(§ 1, Ord. 811, eff. December 9, 2010, as amended by § 2, Ord. 859, eff. November 14, 2015)

§ 9-15.15. Enforcement.

Violations of this chapter may be enforced in any combination of remedies allowed by this Code or by law.

(§ 1, Ord. 811, eff. December 9, 2010, as amended by § 2, Ord. 859, eff. November 14, 2015)

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City of Ojai, CA § 9-15.16

OJAI CODE

§ 9-15.18

§ 9-15.16. Appeals.

Any person aggrieved by any of the requirements of this chapter may appeal insofar as such appeal is allowed under Title 1, Chapter 6 of this Code.

(§ 1, Ord. 811, eff. December 9, 2010, as amended by § 2, Ord. 859, eff. November 14, 2015)

§ 9-15.17. Violation/penalty.

Violations of this chapter shall be treated as a strict liability offense regardless of intent. Any person, firm and/or corporation that violates any portion of this section shall be subject to prosecution and/or administrative enforcement under Title 1, Chapter 6 of this Code.

(§ 1, Ord. 811, eff. December 9, 2010, as amended by § 2, Ord. 859, eff. November 14, 2015)

§ 9-15.18. Severability.

Should any provision, section, paragraph, sentence or word of this chapter be determined or declared invalid by any final court action in a court of competent jurisdiction or by reason of any preemptive legislation, the remaining provisions, sections, paragraphs, sentences or words of this chapter shall remain in full force and effect.

(§ 1, Ord. 811, eff. December 9, 2010, as amended by § 2, Ord. 859, eff. November 14, 2015)

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City of Ojai, CA

BUILDING REGULATIONS

§ 9-16.01

§ 9-16.03

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▸Contents — Ojai Municipal Code
Ojai Municipal Code
  1. Title 1
  2. Title 2
  3. Chapter 1 — GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
  4. Chapter 1 — GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
  5. Article 2 — City Council
  6. Article 3 — Unclaimed Property
  7. Article 4 — Posting of Official Notices
  8. Article 5
  9. Chapter 2 — FISCAL ADMINISTRATION
  10. Article 1 — Parks and Recreation Commission
  11. Chapter 5 — FINANCE DIRECTOR
  12. Title 3
  13. Article 14 — Displaying Vehicles for Sale
  14. Chapter 1 — EMERGENCY ORGANIZATION
  15. Chapter 2 — TRAFFIC
  16. Article 4 — General Traffic Regulations
  17. Article 6 — Traffic Control Devices
  18. Article 7
  19. Article 9 — Stop Signs
  20. Article 10
  21. Article 11
  22. Article 12
  23. Article 14 — Displaying Vehicles for Sale
  24. Article 18
  25. Chapter 3 — POLICE DEPARTMENT
  26. Chapter 4 — FIRE PREVENTION
  27. Article 2 — Burning Regulations
  28. Chapter 9 — PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION
  29. Title 4
  30. Chapter 18 — GRAFFITI
  31. Article 7 — Civil Responsibility for Damages for Wrongful Disp…
  32. Chapter 1 — ADVERTISING MATERIALS
  33. Chapter 2 — TAXICABS
  34. Article 1
  35. Article 2 — Definitions
  36. Article 4 — Permits
  37. Article 5 — General Regulations
  38. Article 6 — Public Health and Sanitation
  39. Article 8
  40. Chapter 4 — DANGEROUS WEAPONS
  41. Chapter 6 — REMOVAL OF ABANDONED, WRECKED, DISMANTLED, OR INOP…
  42. Chapter 7 — AMBULANCES
  43. Chapter 8 — HISTORIC PRESERVATION LAW
  44. Chapter 9
  45. Chapter 10 — BINGO GAMES
  46. Chapter 11
  47. Chapter 12 — ARCADES AND AMUSEMENT MACHINES
  48. Chapter 13 — ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
  49. Chapter 14 — DRUG PARAPHERNALIA
  50. Chapter 15 — ABATEMENT OF CLOSED, VACANT, AND INOPERATIVE AUTO…
  51. Article 1 — Arts Commission
  52. Article 2
  53. Article 3 — Murals
  54. Chapter 17 — OUTDOOR GATHERINGS
  55. Article 1 — Definitions
  56. Article 2 — General Provisions
  57. Article 1 — Declaration of Policy
  58. Article 3 — Prohibition of Graffiti
  59. Article 5 — Wrongful Display for Sale
  60. Article 6 — Wrongful Storage
  61. Article 7
  62. Article 9 — Signs Required
  63. Article 10 — Removal
  64. Article 11
  65. Article 13 — Reporting Graffiti
  66. Article 14 — Criminal Action
  67. Article 15 — Abatement Procedures
  68. Chapter 19 — PARADES
  69. Chapter 24
  70. Chapter 25 — BEEKEEPING
  71. Chapter 26 — CANNABIS USE AND CULTIVATION
  72. Chapter 27
  73. Title 5
  74. Chapter 1 — INTEGRATED WASTE MANAGEMENT
  75. Chapter 2 — MOBILE HOMES AND MOBILE HOME PARKS
  76. Chapter 3 — SEWER SYSTEM
  77. Article 3 — Sewer Connections
  78. Article 4 — Service to Properties Outside the City
  79. Article 1 — Animal Control Director
  80. Article 2 — License Tags
  81. Article 3 — Animal Shelter
  82. Article 4 — Rabies Control
  83. Article 5 — Animal Control
  84. Article 6 — Potentially Dangerous and Vicious Dogs
  85. Article 7 — Wild Animal Control
  86. Article 8 — Mandatory Sterilization of Dogs and Cats
  87. Article 9 — General
  88. Article 10 — Right to Bodily Liberty for Elephants
  89. Article 11 — Companion Animal Protection
  90. Chapter 5 — NORDHOFF CEMETERY
  91. Chapter 6 — ABATEMENT OF NUISANCES
  92. Chapter 7 — GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION
  93. Chapter 8 — REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
  94. Chapter 9 — PUBLIC HEALTH PERMITS AND ENFORCEMENT
  95. Chapter 10 — SMOKING REGULATED OR PROHIBITED
  96. Chapter 11 — NOISE STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS
  97. Chapter 12 — STORM WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT
  98. Chapter 13 — SINGLE-USE CARRYOUT BAGS
  99. Chapter 14
  100. Chapter 15 — SMALL ENGINE REGULATIONS
  101. Chapter 16 — USE AND SALE OF GLUE TRAPS
  102. Title 6
  103. Chapter 1 — BUSINESS LICENSE TAX
  104. Article 1 — General Provisions
  105. Article 2 — Business License Tax
  106. Article 3 — Penalties and Enforcement
  107. Chapter 2 — PAWNBROKERS AND SECONDHAND DEALERS
  108. Chapter 3 — PEDDLERS AND CANVASSERS OR SOLICITORS
  109. Chapter 4 — POOL AND BILLIARD ROOMS
  110. Chapter 6 — RECREATION HALLS
  111. Chapter 7 — AMUSEMENT MACHINES AND ARCADES
  112. Chapter 8
  113. Title 7
  114. Article 4
  115. Article 5 — Provisions for Planting
  116. Article 6 — Special Provisions for Moving Permits
  117. Article 7 — Outdoor Dining Permits
  118. Chapter 2
  119. Chapter 4 — INFORMAL BID PROCEDURES
  120. Title 8
  121. Chapter 3 — UNINHABITED TERRITORY ANNEXATION REQUIREMENTS
  122. Chapter 1 — TAXATION
  123. Article 3 — Real Property Transfer Taxes
  124. Article 5 — Park and Recreational Tax
  125. Article 6 — Library Special Tax
  126. Article 7 — Cannabis Business General Tax
  127. Chapter 2 — SPECIAL FUNDS
  128. Article 1 — Special Gas Tax Street Improvement Fund
  129. Article 2 — Sanitation Fund
  130. Article 3 — Park and Recreational Fund
  131. Article 4 — Capital Outlay Fund
  132. Article 5 — Cemetery Fund
  133. Article 6 — Wastewater Capital Reserve Fund
  134. Chapter 3 — UNINHABITED TERRITORY ANNEXATION REQUIREMENTS
  135. Chapter 4 — PURCHASING SYSTEM
  136. Chapter 5 — STATE VIDEO FRANCHISES
  137. Title 9
  138. Chapter 12 — SEISMIC SAFETY
  139. Article 2 — General Requirements
  140. Chapter 1 — UNIFORM CODES
  141. Article 1 — State Building Standards Code
  142. Article 2 — Administrative Provisions
  143. Article 4 — California Mechanical Code
  144. Article 5 — California Existing Building Code
  145. Article 6 — California Administrative Code
  146. Article 7 — California Electrical Code
  147. Article 8 — California Plumbing Code.
  148. Article 9 — California Fire Code
  149. Article 10 — California Energy Code
  150. Article 11 — California Green Building Code
  151. Article 12 — California Referenced Standards Code
  152. Article 13
  153. Chapter 2 — PERMITS
  154. Chapter 3 — FIRE ZONES
  155. Chapter 4 — ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW (REPEALED)
  156. Chapter 5 — HOUSE NUMBERING REGULATIONS
  157. Chapter 6 — SIGN REGULATIONS (REPEALED)
  158. Chapter 7 — STREET IMPROVEMENTS
  159. Chapter 8 — UNDERGROUND UTILITY FACILITIES
  160. Article 1 — Statutory Authorization, Findings of Fact, Purpose…
  161. Article 3 — General Provisions
  162. Article 4
  163. Article 5 — Provisions for Flood Hazard Reduction
  164. Article 6
  165. Article 7 — Amendments
  166. Chapter 10 — PLANNED DRAINAGE FACILITIES
  167. Chapter 11 — HILLSIDE EROSION CONTROL
  168. Article 2 — Requirements and Procedure
  169. Article 4 — Administration
  170. Chapter 12 — SEISMIC SAFETY
  171. Article 1 — General
  172. Article 2 — General Requirements
  173. Article 3 — Material Requirements
  174. Article 4 — Quality Control
  175. Article 5
  176. Article 6 — Analysis and Design
  177. Article 7
  178. Article 8 — Administrative Provisions
  179. Chapter 13 — TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT
  180. Article 3 — Review of Transit Impacts
  181. Article 4 — Administrative Provisions
  182. Chapter 14
  183. ▸Chapter 15 — VACANT PROPERTY MAINTENANCE, SECURITY AND REGISTR…
  184. Chapter 16 — ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS
  185. Chapter 17
  186. Title 10
  187. Chapter 1 — PLANNING COMMISSION
  188. Chapter 2 — ZONING REGULATIONS Division 1 PURPOSE AND EFFECT O…
  189. Article 16
  190. Chapter 4 — RESIDENTIAL PLANNED DEVELOPMENT (RPD) ZONE
  191. Chapter 3 — SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS
  192. Chapter 5 — CONDOMINIUM CONVERSIONS
  193. Chapter 6 — RESIDENTIAL GROWTH MANAGEMENT PLAN
  194. Division 1 — RESIDENTIAL GROWTH MANAGEMENT PLAN
  195. Chapter 7 — TIMESHARE FACILITY REGULATIONS
  196. Chapter 8 — SCHOOL FACILITIES FEES AND DEDICATIONS
  197. Chapter 10 — SPECIFIC PLAN FEES Division 1 SPECIFIC PLAN FEES
  198. Chapter 1 — PLANNING COMMISSION
  199. Chapter 2 — ZONING REGULATIONS
  200. Division 1 — PURPOSE AND EFFECT OF ZONING REGULATIONS
  201. Article 1 — Administrative Provisions
  202. Division 2 — ZONING DISTRICTS, ALLOWABLE LAND USES AND ZONE SP…
  203. Article 2 — Zoning Map and Zoning Districts
  204. Article 3 — Development and Land Use Approval Requirements
  205. Article 4 — Residential Zoning Districts
  206. Article 5 — Commercial and Manufacturing Zoning Districts
  207. Article 6 — Special Purpose Zoning Districts
  208. Article 7 — Overlay Zoning Districts
  209. Division 3 — DEVELOPMENTAL AND OPERATIONAL STANDARDS
  210. Article 8 — Property Development Standards
  211. Article 9 — Affordable Housing Requirements and Incentives
  212. Article 10 — Creekside Development Standards
  213. Article 11 — Hillside Development Standards
  214. Article 12 — Landscaping Standards
  215. Article 13 — Nonconforming Uses, Structures, and Parcels
  216. Article 14 — Parking and Loading Standards
  217. Article 15 — Recycling Facilities
  218. Article 16.5 — Exterior Lighting Standards
  219. Article 17 — Standards for Specific Land Uses
  220. Division 4 — LAND USE PERMITS AND ADMINISTRATION
  221. Article 18 — Application Filing and Processing
  222. Article 19 — Zoning Clearances
  223. Article 20 — Design Review Permits
  224. Article 21 — Home Occupation Permits
  225. Article 22 — Temporary Use Permits
  226. Article 23 — Planned Development Permits
  227. Article 24 — Conditional Use Permits
  228. Article 25 — Minor Variances
  229. Article 26 — Variances
  230. Article 27 — Amendments
  231. Article 28 — Development Agreements
  232. Article 29 — Public Hearings
  233. Article 30 — Appeals
  234. Article 31 — Changes to an Approved Project
  235. Article 32 — Time Limits and Extensions
  236. Article 33 — Interpretations
  237. Article 34 — Revocations and Modifications
  238. Division 5 — ZONING REGULATIONS DEFINITIONS
  239. Article 36 — Definitions/Glossary
  240. Chapter 3 — SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS
  241. Chapter 4 — RESIDENTIAL PLANNED DEVELOPMENT (RPD) ZONE
  242. Chapter 5 — CONDOMINIUM CONVERSIONS
  243. Article 1 — Legislative Findings
  244. Article 3 — General Provisions
  245. Chapter 6 — RESIDENTIAL GROWTH MANAGEMENT PLAN
  246. Article 1 — Historical Background
  247. Article 2 — Plan's Objectives and Purposes
  248. Article 3 — Findings
  249. Article 4 — Applicability
  250. Article 5 — Definitions
  251. Article 6 — Maximum Number of Residential Allotments for the C…
  252. Article 7 — Residential Development Allotment Applications
  253. Article 8 — Director Evaluation
  254. Article 9 — Appeals to the City Council
  255. Article 10 — Review of Progress
  256. Article 11 — Suspension of Allotments—Constitutionality
  257. Article 12 — Annexations
  258. Chapter 7 — TIMESHARE FACILITY REGULATIONS
  259. Article 1
  260. Article 5 — Findings of Fact
  261. Article 6 — Transient Occupancy Tax
  262. Chapter 8 — SCHOOL FACILITIES FEES AND DEDICATIONS
  263. Division 1 — SCHOOL FACILITIES FEES AND DEDICATIONS
  264. Article 3 — Findings of Overcrowding
  265. Article 4 — Prerequisites for Development Approval
  266. Article 5 — Use of Fees and Land
  267. Chapter 9 — IMPACT FEES
  268. Division 1 — IMPACT FEES
  269. Article 3 — Impact Fee Procedures
  270. Chapter 10 — SPECIFIC PLAN FEES
  271. Article 1 — Applicability
  272. Article 3 — Annual Review and Amendments.
  273. Chapter 11 — COMMERCIAL GROWTH MANAGEMENT PLAN
  274. Article 1 — Applicability
  275. Article 2 — Number of Allotments for the Construction Year and…
  276. Article 3 — Development Allotment Applications
  277. Article 4 — Planning Director Evaluation
  278. Article 5 — Appeals to the City Council
  279. Article 6 — Exceptions
  280. Article 7 — Review of Progress
  281. Article 8 — Suspension/Increase of Allocations
  282. Chapter 12 — RESIDENTIAL DENSITY BONUS
  283. Chapter 13 — IN LIEU PARKING FACILITIES FEE
  284. Chapter 14 — WIRELESS COMMUNICATION FACILITIES
  285. Chapter 15 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
  286. Chapter 16 — REPORT OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDING RECORDS
  287. Title 11
  288. Chapter 1 — RENT STABILIZATION
  289. Chapter 2
  290. Title SR
  291. § SR.010. General Provisions.
  292. § SR.020. Administration and Personnel.
  293. § SR.030. Revenue and Finance.
  294. § SR.040. Business Licenses, Taxes and Regulations.
  295. § SR.050. Animals.
  296. § SR.060. Health and Safety.
  297. § SR.070. Public Peace, Morals and Welfare.
  298. § SR.080. Vehicles and Traffic.
  299. § SR.090. Streets, Sidewalks and Public Places.
  300. § SR.100. Public Services.
  301. § SR.110. Buildings and Construction.
  302. § SR.120. Subdivisions.
  303. § SR.140. Environment.
  304. Title OL
  305. § OL.020. Table 2 Special ordinances not codified but to remai…
  306. § OL.030. Table 3 Ordinances suspended.
  307. § OL.040. Table 4 Code comparative table and disposition list.

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