City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date: August 4, 2026
From: Daniel S. Wall, P.E., Director of Public Works-City Engineer Department: Public Works
Submitted by: Dulce Gonzalez, Management Analyst
Subject
New Regulations for Vacant Property Registration
Recommendation
A. Conduct a Public Hearing;
B. Find that the proposed action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) and 15378, as an action for which there is no possibility that the ordinance will have any significant effect on the environment; C. Introduce, read by title only, and waive further reading of Ordinance No. 1314 establishing Chapter 8.58 (Vacant Property Registration) of Title 8 (Health and Safety) of the Vernon Municipal Code pertaining to the mandatory registration and regulatory framework for vacant properties; and
D. Direct staff to schedule the adoption for the August 18, 2026, City Council meeting.
Background
As a charter city, Vernon holds home-rule authority over its municipal affairs. Vacant property registration programs have been upheld in California as valid exercises of an agency's police power when reasonably related to governmental interests such as public health and safety.
Unmonitored vacant properties may pose a threat to public health, safety, and the community's overall welfare as they can attract illegal activities, create serious fire hazards, contribute to neighborhood blight, and lower surrounding property values. Moreover, unmonitored vacant properties not only increase the financial and operational demands on city services, such as code enforcement, fire protection, and law enforcement; vacant properties also reduce potential tax revenues, require repeated emergency services, and interfere with the use and enjoyment of neighboring commercial and industrial properties. Currently, expenses related to monitoring neglected properties through code enforcement represent a significant municipal expenditure.
The Department of Public Works has drafted a comprehensive regulatory framework for proactive oversight to address public health and safety risks, establish clear municipal standards, and comply with relevant state regulations. The proposed ordinance introduces Chapter 8.58 (Vacant Property Registration) to the Vernon Municipal Code (VMC). This chapter implements a structured, mandatory registration system for owners of residential, commercial, and industrial properties that remain vacant. The program ensures that the city has accurate local contact information for responsible parties, guarantees proper maintenance and security of vacant structures, and shifts the administrative cost burden from the public to property owners.
Key elements of the proposed ordinance include:
• Requiring property owners to submit a Vacant Property Registration Form within thirty (30) days of a property becoming vacant.
• To ensure immediate accountability, require owners residing or operating outside of Los Angeles County, to designate a Local Property Manager or Agent located within the County to respond to emergencies.
• Requiring property owners to keep structures weatherproof, structurally sound, free of graffiti, and clear of overgrown vegetation or accumulated debris. Standard security measures include functioning deadbolts, boarded windows (if damaged), and perimeter "No Trespassing" signage.
• Granting authority to the Department of Public Works to conduct at least one routine inspection per registration year, alongside complaint-based and emergency inspections, to ensure compliance.
Baseline registration fees will directly offset the personnel and administrative costs required for tracking, database maintenance, and routine annual inspections. Escalating follow-up inspection fees, penalty structures, and recorded special assessment liens will recover exact expenditures incurred during city-initiated nuisance abatements or code enforcement actions. The proposed Ordinance does not set a registration fee amount but rather provides the ability for the City Council to establish a registration fee by resolution.
Staff recommends that the City Council introduce and conduct the first reading of Ordinance No. 1314 on August 4, 2026, and direct staff to schedule adoption of the Ordinance for August 18, 2026.
The proposed ordinance has been reviewed and approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office.
Strategic Plan Goals
Goal 4: Enhance Community Infrastructure and Facilities.
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report. The cost of managing the program will be offset by the Vacant Property fees.
Attachments
1. Ordinance No. 1314
2. Notice of Public Hearing