Cal. Civ. Code § 17980.10
California Health and Safety Code
Operative Text
(a) An enforcement agency that properly declares any dwelling a nuisance and, using the notice requirements and procedures specified in Subchapter 1 (commencing with Section 1) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Title 25 of the California Code of Regulations, confirms the declaration by resolution of its governing board shall be deemed to have acquired jurisdiction to abate the nuisance by repairing or causing to have repairs made to the property, by razing or removing the dwelling or in any other way causing the nuisance to be abated. (b) The enforcement agency shall keep an itemized account of all of the expenses involved in abating the nuisance, including the razing or removing of the dwelling. The enforcement agency shall cause to be posted conspicuously on the property where the nuisance was abated, repairs were made, or where the dwelling was razed or removed, an expense statement. This statement shall be verified by the officer of the enforcement agency in charge of doing the work, showing the reasonable gross and net expense of the abatement actions taken by the agency, including the expense of inspections; repairs, if any; the cost of the razing or removing of the building, if applicable; and any other costs of abatement, together with a notice of the time and place when and where the statement shall be submitted to the governing board of the enforcement agency for approval and confirmation. In addition to being posted on the property, this statement shall be sent by certified mail to each owner and other interested party, as specified in Subchapter 1 (commencing with Section 1) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Title 25 of the California Code of Regulations. (c) At the meeting noticed pursuant to subdivision (b), the governing board shall consider any objections or protests, if any, that may be raised by the property owner liable to be assessed for the cost of the work, or by any other interested persons. If the governing board confirms the statement of costs of abatement, those costs shall be the obligation of each owner of the property to pay to the public entity that has incurred them. (d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any hearing required under this section shall be conducted in accordance with requirements adopted by the enforcement agency that are in substantial compliance with those contained in Chapter 13 (commencing with Section 1301), or the successor provisions to that chapter, of the most recent edition of the Uniform Housing Code of the International Conference of Building Officials or as specified in Subchapter 1 (commencing with Section 1) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Title 25 of the California Code of Regulations.
Under Cal. Health & Safety Code § 17980.10, when a local enforcement agency formally declares a dwelling a nuisance and follows the required notice and procedural steps to confirm that declaration by governing board resolution, it gains legal authority to abate the nuisance — whether by making repairs, demolishing the structure, or taking other corrective action. The agency must track all costs of abatement in an itemized account, post an expense statement on the property, and send it by certified mail to owners and other interested parties. The governing board then holds a noticed meeting where objections can be raised before the costs are confirmed, and once confirmed, those costs become a financial obligation of the property owner.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners should be aware that under Cal. Health & Safety Code § 17980.10, once an enforcement agency confirms a nuisance declaration by resolution, it holds authority to repair, raze, or otherwise remediate the property — and to charge the owner for all associated costs. Compliant operators generally respond promptly to nuisance notices before the governing board confirms the declaration, since confirmed abatement costs become the owner's legal obligation. Owners who receive a certified-mail expense statement have the right to appear at the noticed governing board meeting and raise objections or protests before costs are finalized.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Cal. Health & Safety Code § 17980.10 establishes a process through which a local enforcement agency can step in to fix or remove a dwelling declared a nuisance, which can be relevant to tenants living in severely substandard conditions. Tenants who believe their dwelling meets the threshold for a nuisance declaration may explore filing a complaint with their local code enforcement or building department, which is the type of enforcement agency this provision empowers. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand how this provision interacts with other housing protections, including any rights related to displacement or relocation that may arise if a dwelling is repaired or demolished under this process.
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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