Cal. Civ. Code § 17980.9
California Health and Safety Code
Operative Text
Notwithstanding Section 17980, whenever the enforcement agency inspects any vacant single-family dwelling within the City of Los Angeles or the City of San Diego pursuant to this chapter, all of the following shall apply: (a) If a nuisance exists in any vacant single-family dwelling or upon the lot on which it is situated, the enforcement agency shall, after 15 days’ notice to abate the nuisance, institute any appropriate action or proceeding to prevent, restrain, correct, or abate the nuisance. (b) (1) Whenever the enforcement agency has inspected or caused to be inspected any vacant single-family dwelling and has determined that the building is a substandard dwelling, the enforcement agency shall, after giving 15 days’ notice to the owner, commence proceedings to abate the violation by repair, rehabilitation, or demolition of the building. The owner shall have the choice of repairing or demolishing. However, if the owner chooses to repair, the enforcement agency shall require that the building be brought into compliance according to a reasonable and feasible schedule for expeditious repair. The enforcement agency may require demolition or may itself repair, demolish, or institute any other appropriate action or proceeding, if any of the following occur: (A) The repair work is not done as scheduled. (B) The owner does not make a timely choice of repair or demolition. (C) The owner selects an option that cannot be completed within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the department, for any reason, including, but not limited to, an outstanding judicial or administrative order. (2) In deciding whether to repair as necessary, the enforcement agency shall give preference to the repair of the building whenever it is economically feasible to do so without having to repair more than 50 percent of the dwelling, as determined by the enforcement agency, and shall give full consideration to the needs for housing as expressed in the local jurisdiction’s housing element. (c) All notices issued by the enforcement agency to correct violations or to abate nuisances shall contain a provision notifying the owner that, in accordance with Sections 17274 and 24436.5 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, a tax deduction may not be allowed for interest, taxes, depreciation, or amortization paid or incurred in the taxable year. (d) The enforcement agency may charge the owner of the building for its postage or mileage cost for sending or posting the notices required to be given by this section.
Cal. Health & Safety Code § 17980.9 establishes a distinct enforcement process that applies when a code-enforcement agency inspects a vacant single-family dwelling in the City of Los Angeles or the City of San Diego. Under this provision, once a nuisance or substandard condition is identified, the agency must give the property owner 15 days' notice before initiating formal abatement proceedings—which can include requiring repair, rehabilitation, or demolition. The rule also requires that all violation notices inform the owner of a potential tax-deduction consequence under the Revenue and Taxation Code, and it permits the agency to recover its postage or mileage costs for delivering those notices.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Owners of vacant single-family dwellings in Los Angeles or San Diego should be aware that § 17980.9 triggers an accelerated enforcement timeline compared to general state housing law. A compliant operator who receives a 15-day notice under this section typically responds promptly by selecting either a repair or demolition path and, if repair is chosen, works with the agency to establish and adhere to a reasonable remediation schedule—because failure to do so can result in the agency taking over abatement or ordering demolition. Notices issued under this section will also reference a potential disallowance of certain tax deductions under Revenue and Taxation Code §§ 17274 and 24436.5, so owners generally consult a tax professional when such a notice is received.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Although § 17980.9 is primarily directed at enforcement agencies and property owners, tenants and neighbors affected by a vacant substandard single-family dwelling in Los Angeles or San Diego may have an interest in understanding how it works. This provision requires the local enforcement agency to act—not merely to have the option to act—once a nuisance or substandard condition is found, which means community members can contact the relevant enforcement agency to report conditions and inquire about the status of any open proceedings. Tenants or concerned residents seeking to understand their options under this section may find it useful to reach out to a local tenant-rights organization or housing advocacy group for general guidance.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 3, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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