Cal. Civ. Code § 36-1-20-6
Imposition of penalties for nuisances and violations of political subdivision's ordinances or codes
Operative Text
Sec. 6. (a) This chapter does not prevent a political subdivision from imposing and collecting a penalty for an act or omission that is a nuisance or violation of the political subdivision's enforceable ordinances or codes, subject to subsection (b). (b) A penalty permitted under subsection (a) may not be imposed until after: (1) reasonable notice of the nuisance or violation has been given to the owner or the owner's designee; (2) passage of a reasonable time, which must be stated in the notice, for the nuisance or violation to be cured; and (3) failure of the nuisance or violation to be cured within the time stated in the notice.
Indiana Code § 36-1-20-6 preserves the authority of local governments—cities, counties, and other political subdivisions—to impose and collect penalties when a property owner commits a nuisance or violates a local ordinance or code. However, the law sets a mandatory procedural sequence before any penalty can take effect: the owner must first receive reasonable notice of the problem, be given a stated period of time to fix it, and actually fail to correct it within that window. This provision balances local enforcement power with a built-in opportunity for property owners to remedy issues before financial consequences attach.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Ind. Code § 36-1-20-6, a local government cannot lawfully impose a penalty on a property owner without first delivering reasonable notice of the nuisance or code violation, specifying a cure period in that notice, and allowing that period to expire without correction. Compliant operators generally maintain records of any notices received from a political subdivision, track the stated cure deadlines, and document remediation efforts taken within the required timeframe. Keeping organized records of inspections, correspondence, and completed repairs supports a clear paper trail if a penalty is later disputed.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Ind. Code § 36-1-20-6 establishes that local governments retain the power to penalize property owners for nuisances and code violations, which can be a relevant enforcement tool when rental housing conditions fall below local standards. Tenants who believe a property has an unresolved nuisance or code violation may consider contacting their local code enforcement office, which is the body empowered under this framework to issue notice and pursue penalties against non-compliant owners. Tenant-rights organizations in Indiana can help residents understand how local ordinances interact with this provision and what complaint or reporting options may be available in their municipality.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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