San Bernardino Municipal Code Ch. 15.24 Property Maintenance Requirements

(A) The citizens of San Bernardino have become increasingly concerned with the unsightliness, the deterioration, and the degradation of certain properties, whether residential, commercial or any other zoning designation in their neighborhoods and have sought the help of city government in their effort to preserve their neighborhoods.

(B) Local governments have the authority to establish minimum requirements for property maintenance to protect the health, safety and appearance of neighborhoods. Enforcement of these minimum maintenance requirements can reduce and eliminate blight and deterioration of neighborhoods, protecting both property values and neighborhood integrity.

(C) The Mayor and City Council hereby find that the deterioration of neighborhoods by the failure to maintain properties to minimum standards results in an adverse effect on the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of this city.

(Ord. MC-679, passed 9-19-1989; Ord. MC-1292, passed 2-3-2009; Ord. MC-1666, passed 8-5-2026)

The purpose of this chapter is to establish and enforce minimum maintenance standards for all property within the city in order to protect and preserve neighborhood integrity.

(Ord. MC-679, passed 9-19-1989; Ord. MC-1292, passed 2-3-2009; Ord. MC-1666, passed 8-5-2026)

For the purpose of this chapter, unless otherwise apparent from context, certain words and phrases used in this chapter shall have the meanings hereinafter designated. The definitions in this chapter are included for reference purposes only and are not intended to narrow the scope of definitions set forth in applicable laws or regulations. All terms used in this chapter which are not defined in this section, but are defined by applicable laws, shall have the same meaning as the definition in the applicable law, unless from context it clearly appears that a different meaning is intended.

APPLICABLE LAWS. Any applicable state or federal law, any uniform or state codes adopted by the municipal code, including but not limited to the California Building Code, Uniform Housing Code, Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings, and California Fire Code.

GRAFFITI. Any inscription, word, figure, mark or design that is written, marked, etched, scratched, drawn or painted on real property, buildings, structures (permanent or temporary), or other fixtures thereon, or on any personal property placed on such real property, including vehicles.

INOPERABLE OR ABANDONED VEHICLE. Any vehicle, operative or inoperative that is:

(1) Mechanically incapable of being driven;

(2) Prohibited from being operated on a public street or highway pursuant to the provisions of the California Vehicle Code concerning license plates, registration, equipment, safety and related matters; or

(3) Has been left by the owner or responsible person for over 72 hours and has indicia of being inoperable, including but not limited to, flat or deflated tires, cobwebs, and accumulated dirt, trash or debris in and on the vehicle; or

(4) Wrecked and/or dismantled.

OWNER. Any person having a legal or equitable interest in the property.

PERSON. An individual, partnership, corporation, association or organization, or the agent of any of the foregoing.

PROPERTY. Any real property zoned for any of the uses set forth in the Development Code and includes sidewalks and parkways adjacent to the property.

RECREATIONAL VEHICLE. Any vehicles towed or self-propelled on its own chassis or attached to the chassis of another vehicle and designed or used for recreational or sporting purposes or exclusively for hauling personal property. The term RECREATIONAL VEHICLE includes, but is not limited to motor homes, fifth-wheels, campers, camp trailers, trailers, boats, watercraft, and all-terrain vehicles.

VISIBLE. Viewable from the public right-of- way, from property open to the general public, common areas on a property or viewable from another property in proximity to the property in question.

(Ord. MC-679, passed 9-19-1989; Ord. MC-1187, passed 10-5-2004; Ord. MC-1292, passed 2-3-2009; Ord. MC-1666, passed 8-5-2026)

Any person owning, renting, occupying, managing, or otherwise having charge of any single-family residence, multi-residential, commercial and industrial property shall maintain the property in accordance with the following minimum standards. Failure to comply with these minimum standards shall constitute a violation of this code.

(A) Exterior requirements.

(1) Lack of landscaping. All required setbacks abutting a public right-of-way and front and visible side yards shall be landscaped (except for improved surfaces including, but not limited to walks and driveways) with trees, shrubs, ground cover, decorative rock, redwood bark and/or grass.

(2) Unmaintained landscaping. Trees, shrubs, lawns and other planted vegetation shall be maintained, including regular irrigation, pruning of trees, trimming of shrubs and cutting of lawns.

(3) Weeds, dry brush and overgrown vegetation. Property shall be free of overgrown or dead vegetation, including, but not limited to weeds, trees or limbs, bushes and other planted vegetation. Weeds include sage brush, dry grass, chaparral and any other brush or vegetation which attains extensive growth and becomes a fire menace when dry.

(4) Trash, debris and improper storage. Property shall be free of trash, litter, debris, packing boxes, lumber, junk, salvage materials (except where otherwise permitted by this code), broken or inoperative furniture, appliances, machinery, equipment, any furniture (except for furniture specifically designed for outdoor use) including, but not limited to furniture on porches, balconies, sun decks and in front yards, and any other improperly stored personal property causing an unsightly appearance.

(5) Vehicle and recreational vehicle storage. All operable vehicles and recreational vehicles shall be parked or stored in designated, screened areas, a garage, carport or on an improved surface. None of the above shall be occupied.

(6) Inoperable and abandoned vehicles. Property shall be free of inoperable or abandoned vehicles and parts of vehicles unless they are safely stored in a garage or other enclosed storage area. This section shall not apply to a vehicle, or part thereof, which is stored or parked in a lawful manner on private property in connection with the lawfully authorized and permitted business of a licensed dismantler, licensed vehicle dealer or a licensed junkyard; provided however that this exception shall not authorize the maintenance of a public or private nuisance as defined by applicable laws.

(7) Condition of structures. All improvements on the property, including, but not limited to buildings, garages, carports, porches, gates, fences, doors, windows, roofs, gutters, signs, permanent or temporary structures, stairs, handrails, retaining walls and trash enclosures shall be painted/preserved and maintained in good repair and condition. Paint or preservatives shall not be worn, peeling or cracking.

(8) Improved surfaces. Walkways on private property, driveways, parking areas and all improved surfaces shall be maintained in good repair and safe condition. Parking lot striping and handicap markings shall be maintained in good condition.

(9) Graffiti. Buildings, structures, sidewalks, driveways, other improved surfaces and any other personal property placed on real property, including vehicles, shall be free of graffiti.

(10) Rodent and vermin control. Property shall be free from infestation of termites, insects, vermin or rodents.

(11) Sewage. Improved property shall be properly connected to a sewage disposal system or a sanitary sewer and free from sewage seepage.

(12) Pools and spas. Pools and spas shall be securely fenced and adequately maintained in accordance with the Development Code and other applicable laws.

(13) Construction. All buildings or structures in a state of partial construction, repair or rehabilitation shall have an active/valid permit and shall be completed during the term of an active/valid building permit or other time frame ordered by the city. The owner or responsible person shall be progressing diligently to complete the repair, construction or rehabilitation of the building or structure.

(14) Fencing. All fencing shall be constructed in compliance with the Development Code and other applicable laws with acceptable fencing materials such as wood, vinyl, masonry or wrought iron.

(B) Interior requirements. The interiors of all buildings and structures on the property, both existing and new, and all parts thereof, shall be maintained in good repair and safe, sanitary conditions in conformance with the building code under which it was built or remodeled and any retroactive codes.

(Ord. MC-679, passed 9-19-1989; Ord. MC-1292, passed 2-3-2009; Ord. MC-1666, passed 8-5-2026)

(A) Any person who violates or causes violation of any provision of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of an infraction, which upon conviction thereof is punishable in accordance with the provisions of § 1.12.010.

(B) Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to prevent the City Attorney from commencing a civil action to abate a nuisance in addition to, alternatively to, or in conjunction with the proceedings set forth in this chapter; nor shall anything in this chapter be deemed to prevent the city from commencing a criminal action with respect to the nuisance in addition to, alternatively to, or in conjunction with the proceedings set forth in this chapter, or other ordinance, statute or state law.

(C) Payment of any fine or service of jail sentence herein provided shall not relieve a person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity from the responsibility of correcting the condition resulting from the violation. In addition to the above penalties, the court may order that the guilty party reimburse the city for all costs of investigating, analyzing and prosecuting the enforcement action against the guilty party. The court shall fix the amount of any such reimbursement upon submission of proof of such costs by the city.

(Ord. MC-679, passed 9-19-1989; Ord. MC-1029, passed 9-22-1998; Ord. MC-1292, passed 2-3-2009; Ord. MC-1666, passed 8-5-2026)

The provisions of this chapter are severable, and if any sentence, section, or other part of this chapter should be found to be invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions, and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

(Ord. MC-679, passed 9-19-1989; Ord. MC-1292, passed 2-3-2009; Ord. MC-1666, passed 8-5-2026)