Beaumont Cracking Down On Abandoned, Vacant Properties

BEAUMONT, CA — Beaumont city officials are leaning toward stricter policies to fight blight.

During Wednesday's Planning Commission meeting, a draft ordinance of provisions for vacant and abandoned properties will be discussed in a public hearing.

The move comes after an Oct. 21 City Council meeting, in which council members directed city staff to expand the city's registration program for abandoned and foreclosed residential properties. The aim, among other things, is to reduce long-term vacancies and blight.

The city already has an ordinance on the books to combat nuisance properties. In 2008, the "Regulation of Abandoned Residential Properties” was adopted to regulate abandoned or foreclosed residential properties. But the current procedures rely on title searches and code inspections, which can delay enforcement action when dealing with non-residential properties and unique ownership situations, according to the city.

Key provisions of the proposed draft ordinance to be discussed on Wednesday include amending the 2008 ordinance to include all property types (residential, commercial, industrial, and mixed-use), not just foreclosed and/or abandoned homes. Vacant and/or abandoned properties that are unoccupied for 90 days and/or showing neglect or creating a nuisance will be subject to strict measures.

Under the draft ordinance, owners of vacant and/or abandoned properties will be required to register with the city within 30 days of vacancy or upon receipt of a city notice. The city will require these property owners to provide 24/7 local contact information, proof of liability insurance, and pay an annual registration fee.

Owners will be required to keep properties free of weeds, trash, graffiti, and hazards, and secure buildings and fencing to prevent unauthorized access.

The city will inspect registered properties "at reasonable times for compliance," according to city documents.

Non-compliant property owners will be subject to administrative citations, abatement cost recovery, and civil or criminal penalties, according to the city.

In addition to curtailing blight, the draft ordinance could facilitate reinvestment opportunities to support the adaptive reuse of vacant or underutilized properties.

"If approved, the ordinance would turn a reactive property neglect issue into a strategic tool for economic development," according to city documents.

The Nov. 19 Beaumont Planning Commission meeting begins at 6 p.m. The meeting takes place at 550 E. Sixth Street. Click here to see the full meeting agenda.