Are Banks Breaking the Law in Garden Grove?

Garden Grove Vacant Property Ordinances: Are They Being Followed or are Banks Breaking the Law?

Upon multiple complaints on the condition and safety of vacant homes in Garden Grove in 2008 by city residents led to the current Garden Grove Vacant Property Ordinances.

The picture below was taken from the PWR (Pacific West Realtors) website and demonstrates some of the requirements for a vacant home in Garden Grove; a $150 fee and a 10-day period in which one needs to register the home.

Even though this ordinance is in place it still seems that Banks will try anyway around this if possible. Drive down a few streets in Garden Grove and you will see a vacant home that doesn't look to be in compliance with the law. It's very unlikely that the banks will act on this fairly new law until they are directly ordered too. I don't know how strict the city is on these vacant homes but it'd be interesting to know how many banks are actually registering the vacant homes compared to the ones that are out there.

The reason for enacting such an ordinance is said to be for the protection of the community from becoming blighted through the lack of adequate maintenance and security of vacated properties as well as helping to eliminate the danger to persons and property created by vancant properties which are not properly secured and maintained.

As well as the fee and 10-day period, there are a few other requirements that the beneficiary must comply with such as maintenance (keeping property free of weeds, dry brush, dead vegetation, trash, junk, accumulation of newspapers, circulars, flyers, etc.) and security (proper closure and locking of windows, doors, gates, and any other opening of such size that it may allow a child or any other person to access the interior of the property and or structures(s).).