The County of Riverside has become increasingly concerned with the growing number of abandoned and distressed residential properties, and the threat this poses to public peace, health, and safety of the citizens of this county. The Board of Supervisors has passed an emergency ordinance, Ordinance Number 880, effective May 13, 2008, affecting residential properties in the unincorporated areas of the county.

This ordinance, as well as the permanent Ordinance Number 881, approved on May 20, 2008, outlines responsibilities that the lender, trustee or beneficiary are required to abide by in anticipation of a default, throughout the process of foreclosure, and while held as a trustee deed. Important elements of the ordinance include:

• Inspection of the property by the trustee prior to recording the Notice of Default;
• Registration with the County upon determination of vacancy or evidence of vacancy;
• Monthly inspections by the trustee for distressed properties;
• Maintenance standards comparable to neighborhood, and exceeding HUD requirements;
• Non-compliant property subject to civil and administrative proceedings and fines, which can include fines of up to $1,000 per day per property, and all administrative costs including abatement, attorney fees, and all administrative penalties and costs.

You are encouraged to review the ordinance in its entirety.

Our goal is to keep the County of Riverside safe and free from the detrimental effects of neighborhood blight, for the benefit of those who invest or reside in our communities.

Ordinance 880/881 applies to any lender, trustee or other beneficiary of a residential property located in an unincorporated area of Riverside County. Residential properties include single family houses, multi-family complexes, mobile homes and condominiums.