Item Number: 1
City Council / Board of Directors
Public Hearing(s)
Meeting of: March 3, 2026
Submitted By:
Jorge Duran, Code Enforcement Official
Subject:
Ordinance Nos. 2464, 2465 and 2466 amending Title 16 of the Victorville Municipal Code, with an environmental exemption, to provide updated regulations, requirements, definitions, and standards for the maintenance of vacant buildings and the rental of residential and commercial property
Recommendation:
That the Honorable City Council:
(1) Conduct a Public Hearing to receive testimony regarding proposed Ordinance Nos. 2464, 2465 and 2466;
(2) Close the Public Hearing;
(3) Find Ordinance Nos. 2464, 2465, and 2466 categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3); (4) Introduce Ordinance Nos. 2464, 2465, and 2466 for adoption and first reading by title only; and
(5) Waive further reading in full of proposed Ordinance Nos. 2464, 2465, and 2466.
Fiscal Impact:
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with this action. However, implementation of the Ordinances may increase staff costs for monitoring and enforcing compliance at residential and commercial rental properties, as well as for overseeing vacant nuisance buildings. The ordinances may also generate additional revenue through the issuance of rental property business licenses.
Strategic Plan Goal:
The proposed ordinances support the City of Victorville Strategic Plan 2023-2026 by advancing the following key goals:
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Goal A – Financial Sustainability: Proactively implementing rental property licensing requirements for residential and commercial rental properties is intended to strengthen regulatory oversight and support long-term fiscal stability. Goal B – Public Safety: Revising and expanding inspection requirements for residential and commercial rental properties to reduce blight caused by unmaintained properties will improve the overall appearance and safety of neighborhoods and commercial centers.
Goal C – Community and Economic Development: Establishing comprehensive regulations and maintenance standards for vacant residential and commercial properties will preserve community character and encourage investment.
Background:
Consistent with the City’s strategic goal of fostering community and economic development, the Strategic Plan includes a strategy to develop and implement a vacant property registration program. To support this effort, three ordinances were drafted to streamline the abatement of unmaintained vacant buildings and neglected properties.
These updates advance the City Council’s strategic goals by strengthening property maintenance standards, improving neighborhood appearance, and reducing blight in both residential and commercial areas.
On January 14, 2026, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on the proposed amendments to Title 16 of the Victorville Municipal Code (VMC). The Commission unanimously recommended approval (Attachment A) and staff is now presenting Ordinance Nos. 2464, 2465 and 2466 for City Council consideration and adoption.
Discussion:
The proposed amendments to Title 16, Chapter 6 of the Development Code include updates to the inspection and licensing requirements for residential rental properties through Ordinance No. 2464 (Attachment B) and introduce two new articles to strengthen property maintenance standards citywide. Ordinance No. 2465 (Attachment C) establishes Article 14, “Maintenance of Vacant Buildings” which sets property care requirements for vacant structures, including board-up standards, time limits for securing buildings, and progressive penalties for noncompliance. Ordinance No. 2466 (Attachment D) establishes Article 15, “Commercial Rental Property Business License Inspection Requirements” which creates minimum maintenance standards for all non-residential rental properties. The proposed amendments also include minor revisions to correct grammatical inconsistencies and clarify existing provisions, thereby improving overall readability and implementation. Together, these amendments are intended to ensure residential, vacant, and commercial properties are properly maintained, supporting safe, functional, and economically productive neighborhoods and business areas.
Summary of Ordinance No. 2464 (Attachment B)
Ordinance No. 2464 updates and strengthens the City’s Residential Rental Inspection Program, originally adopted in 2015. This program oversees approximately 37-41% of the City’s 37,000 housing units that are rentals. Since implementation, the City has issued an 4 5
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average of 4,500 to 5,500 residential rental property licenses annually. The amendments modernize definitions, clarify responsibilities of owners and tenants, and require all rental properties to obtain and annually renew a license following a City-conducted inspection.
The self-inspection option that is currently offered would be eliminated, requiring inspections by City staff to ensure consistent compliance with municipal, building, property maintenance, and land use standards. The Ordinance also requires that licenses not renewed by the expiration date be formally closed to strengthen enforcement.
Properties operating without a valid license must reapply and pay all applicable fees to regain compliance.
If the proposed Ordinance is adopted, property owners will receive written notice 60 days prior to their license expiration date, along with a property inspection checklist to help them prepare for inspection and maintain licensure. City Staff will begin issuing notices in July to property owners with licenses expiring in September and will continue implementation through a phased notification process until all license holders have been notified.
Summary of Ordinance No. 2465 (Attachment C)
Ordinance No. 2465 adds Article 14 requiring property owners to register vacant properties with current contact information on file with the City, and to maintain and secure those properties. It also prohibits properties from remaining vacant for more than 30 days unless required maintenance standards are met or active rehabilitation or leasing is underway. Standards include securing openings, maintaining landscape and exterior areas, removing debris, and preventing unlawful activity. The ordinance also establishes board-up permit requirements and time limits, requires local contact availability, and provides enforcement actions, fees, liens or assessments for noncompliance. Vacant properties will be identified using City utility and sanitation data, along with County foreclosure information.
The purpose of adding Article 14 is to prevent vacant, abandoned, or boarded-up buildings from contributing to neighborhood and commercial blight and to ensure their proactive management and upkeep. The Ordinance contains options to allow for properties to be boarded up beyond one year and establishes conditions for additional time such as securing a building permit or providing proof of a pending property transaction.
Summary of Ordinance No. 2466 (Attachment D)
Ordinance No. 2466 adds Article 15 establishing a license and inspection program for commercial rental properties. The Ordinance also includes new definitions to clarify key terms, including “Commercial Rental Property,” “Owner,” “Local Authorized Representative,” and “Applicable Law.” Owners will be required to obtain and annually renew a Commercial Rental Business License following a City inspection to ensure compliance with maintenance and safety standards, including landscaping, parking areas, building exterior, signage, and trash enclosures. It applies to retail, office, 4 5
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industrial, warehouse, manufacturing, medical, and hospitality properties and requires owners living more than 85 miles away to designate a local authorized representative.
Approximately 1,300 developed non-residential parcels would be subject to the program.
This Ordinance is designed to keep the City’s commercial and industrial centers well maintained, free of trash and debris, and supportive of ongoing investment and economic activity. Like the residential rental program, timely renewal of commercial rental licenses will be required to ensure the program operates efficiently. Licensing commercial rental properties is a common practice in California with cities such as El Monte, Fontana Oakland, Pomona, Santa Ana, Rialto and Riverside, requiring both residential and commercial rental licenses. If adopted, staff will begin notifying property owners in July and provide an inspection checklist to help owners prepare for the required City inspection. The program will initially follow the standard fees established for the rental licensing program until an updated cost analysis is completed.
Adoption of Ordinance Nos. 2464, 2465 and 2466 is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Section 15061(b)(3), as the proposed amendments regulate existing residential and commercial rental properties and the maintenance of vacant buildings, with no potential for significant environmental impact.
Staff recommends the adoption of Ordinances 2464, 2465, and 2466 as they will help to advance City goals for community appearance and economic development. These measures are expected to improve property maintenance, ensure active management by owners, and enhance public health and safety.
Staff is available for any questions or comments the City Council may have.
Prepared By: Jorge Duran, Code Enforcement Official
Attachments: A. Planning Commission Record of Proceedings B. Ordinance No. 2464
C. Ordinance No. 2465
D. Ordinance No. 2466