Anaheim City Council has unanimously directed city staff to collaborate with Councilman Ryan Balius on a potential ordinance targeting chronic nuisance properties, including problematic abandoned buildings and seedy motels. The directive, issued Tuesday, aims to provide new mechanisms for fining negligent property owners and reducing police calls associated with these locations.
The initiative follows years of efforts by Anaheim officials to revitalize Beach Boulevard, which has been associated with issues like prostitution, illegal gambling, and drug activity. Past measures have included redevelopment plans, converting problematic motels into housing, and periods of strict police enforcement. Councilman Balius, representing District 1, stated his intent to address nuisance complaints, particularly regarding motels along Beach Boulevard.
Heather Allen, Anaheim’s Planning and Building Director, explained that a gap exists in the city’s current municipal code concerning properties that repeatedly place high demands on police and code enforcement. Allen clarified that the proposed ordinance would specifically target this gap, not duplicate existing enforcement tools for established nuisances.
During the discussion, Councilwoman Natalie Rubalcava, who is running for reelection, voiced concerns about the necessity of a new law and its potential impact on small businesses. She questioned if existing regulations could be better enforced, stating, “There’re probably rules that we already have in place that could be enforced more effectively.” Rubalcava also raised questions about the city’s capacity to enforce an additional ordinance, noting Anaheim has nearly 40 code enforcement officers, 17 of whom are part-time, serving a population of approximately 341,000 residents. The city has allocated over $20 million for community preservation and licensing within its Planning & Building budget, and nearly $224 million for its police department.
Concerns were also raised by Marina Mondragon, a local business owner, who worried the ordinance could be “weaponized” by disgruntled neighbors. Mondragon noted that previous improvements to her family’s business had sometimes generated complaints, fearing that repeated, unfounded complaints could harm a business's reputation and unnecessarily consume city resources.
Council members also discussed the scope of the potential ordinance. Councilwoman Norma Campos Kurtz suggested it could be used against liquor stores attracting public disturbances. Councilman Carlos Leon inquired whether the ordinance would apply to abandoned buildings, a concern echoed by Mayor Ashleigh Aitken, who sought remedies for absentee landlords. Nearby Orange County cities, including Orange and Stanton, have recently adopted ordinances to hold property owners accountable for maintaining vacant and unkept buildings.
Councilman Balius reiterated that his intention was not to penalize businesses or misuse the code enforcement department but “simply to put another tool in a toolbox” to address persistent nuisance problems. Staff will now work with Councilman Balius to develop the specifics of the potential ordinance.
