Vallejo looks at upkeep of abandoned homes - Vallejo Times-Herald
Vallejo's code enforcement chief said she believes she's found a way to cope with the city's abandoned, blighted houses -- and help fill city coffers to boot.It's a new ordinance modeled on ones in force in Chula Vista in San Diego County and also in Riverside County. Proponents say the laws are helping, while opponents say they're illegal.
The Chula Vista ordinance, enacted in October 2007, holds mortgage holders responsible for the upkeep of abandoned homes, starting from when a notice of default is issued.
State law allows fines if owners fail to maintain foreclosed properties, but not until the actual foreclosure. Since many homeowners stop maintaining their properties long before that, the Southern California ordinances kick in early, often several months before foreclosure.
Vallejo's ordinance will be different in that it will be the product of input from various stakeholders including Realtors and lenders, said Solano Association of Realtors President George