Davis Code Enforcement Guide for Homeowners

Last updated November 13, 2026. Reviewed by the Cash Home Buyers CA team.

In Davis, code enforcement is handled by the Police Department’s Code Enforcement Officer, and a first confirmed complaint usually brings a written Notice of Violation with a deadline rather than a fine. This guide explains how to report or respond to a complaint, how the city’s citation schedule works, how administrative abatement and appeals run under Article 23.04 of the municipal code, and what to do if you want to sell a property with an open case.

Davis code enforcement at a glance

Who enforces	Davis Police Department, Code Enforcement Officer
Hotline	(530) 757-5646 (leave address, description and your contact details)
Online reporting	GO Davis service request system, available 24/7
Citation schedule	$100 for a first citation, $200 for a second, $500 for each subsequent violation (city page)
Appeal of a notice and order	Within 10 calendar days of the notice and order (section 23.04.050)
Appeal hearing	No sooner than 20 days after the request; notice mailed at least 15 days before (section 23.04.060)
Liens	Abatement costs can become a special assessment lien against the premises

What the city enforces

The city says its municipal code is enforced by the Police Department’s Code Enforcement Officer.

Common complaints listed on the city page include uncontrolled grass or weeds visible from public view, cars parked on a lawn or other unimproved surface, trash scattered around a property, indoor furniture left in a front yard, dilapidated or inoperative vehicles on private property, green waste piles blocking bike lanes, loud party noise and nuisance wood burning.

Yard refuse and pile rules go to Public Works at (530) 757-5686, and nuisance wood burning can also be reported to the police at (530) 747-5400.

How a case moves

1. Complaint

A complaint comes in through the hotline or GO Davis. The officer visits to see whether it can be substantiated.

2. Notice of Violation

If the problem is real and cannot be fixed during the visit, a written Notice of Violation is mailed to the owner and or tenants. It states the ordinance, the need to correct, and a deadline. The officer re-inspects on the deadline.

3. Administrative citation

If the problem is not corrected, the city imposes an administrative citation. If another complaint about the same issue at the same property arrives within 12 months, the officer visits again and a citation may follow. The city lists $100 for the first citation, $200 for the second and $500 for each after that.

4. Misdemeanor and civil options

The city also says a person who creates a public nuisance can face arrest and prosecution for a misdemeanor or a civil injunction, and it may ask the District Attorney to enforce state nuisance law.

Administrative abatement and appeals (Article 23.04)

For premises found in violation, Article 23.04 provides an administrative abatement process. The notice and order must give the owner the right to appeal, and under section 23.04.050 the appeal must be filed within ten calendar days of the notice and order.

Section 23.04.060 requires a nonrefundable appeal fee set by City Council resolution. The hearing is set no sooner than twenty days after the request, with notice mailed at least fifteen days beforehand.

It is heard by a hearing officer appointed by the city manager, who can be a city employee as long as that person was not involved in the investigation or enforcement and had no personal involvement in the matter in the past twelve months.

If the hearing officer finds a violation by a preponderance of the evidence, the decision can include an administrative penalty and an order to abate. The city’s text refers to special assessment liens against the premises for abatement costs, but the sections we read did not list dollar penalties, so ask the city for the current schedule.

Liens and selling with an open case

Unpaid abatement costs can attach to the property as a special assessment lien, which a title search will find at sale. Before listing or signing a purchase contract, ask the Police Department for the status of any open case and for a written payoff statement of costs or penalties. An open Notice of Violation does not stop a sale, but it must be disclosed to the buyer.

Selling a Davis house with open code violations

An open notice or citation does not stop you from selling. California sellers generally disclose known notices on the Transfer Disclosure Statement, which asks about notices of abatement or citations against the property, and a title search will show any recorded lien. Our as-is and unpermitted work guide explains the disclosure rules, and the closing costs guide covers how liens and fees are paid at closing.

In practice, sellers with open violations usually choose one of three paths: correct the problem and ask the city to close the case before listing, disclose it and sell with a price adjustment, or sell as-is to a cash buyer who takes on the cleanup. Which one fits depends on how big the problem is, how much time you have and whether fines are still growing. Before you decide:

• Get the case number, notice date and the specific code sections cited.
• Ask the city what must be done to close the case and whether it will re-inspect.
• Ask for a current statement of fines, fees and any recorded liens.
• Get quotes for the work so you can compare repair cost with a no-repairs sale.
• Check whether tenants, an estate or a co-owner need to be part of the decision.

Questions to ask the Davis code enforcement team

• What exactly is the violation, and what would count as fixed?
• What is the deadline, and can it be extended if work is under way?
• Are fines accruing, and what is the total today?
• Has a lien or special assessment been recorded against the property?
• How do I request a re-inspection once the work is done?

Common mistakes homeowners make with violation notices

The costliest mistake is ignoring a notice. Deadlines for appeals are short, fines and fees can escalate, and unpaid costs can end up as a lien that follows the property.

Other common errors include fixing the problem but never asking for a re-inspection, assuming a tenant or relative dealt with a notice, and doing repair work that needs a permit without pulling one.

Keep every notice, photo and receipt, and write down the name of each staff member you speak with.

If the home came to you through an inheritance, a divorce or a tenant who left it in poor condition, the notice may land on you without warning. Our probate home sale guide and inherited home tax basis guide cover inherited property, and a no-repairs cash sale can be a practical way to close the file.

How to sell a house in Davis

1. Get the case number, notices and any statement of costs.
2. Collect photos and receipts for any work done.
3. Request a no-obligation cash offer for the house as it stands.
4. Choose your closing date.
5. Close with no cleanup, repairs or showings required.

See also our Davis page and the Yolo County hub.

Frequently asked questions

How do I report a code violation in Davis?

Use the GO Davis service request system or call the Code Enforcement Hotline at (530) 757-5646.

What are the citation amounts in Davis?

The city page lists $100 for a first administrative citation, $200 for a second and $500 for each subsequent violation.

How long do I have to appeal a notice and order?

Section 23.04.050 gives ten calendar days from the date of the notice and order.

Can code enforcement costs become a lien on my house?

Yes. Article 23.04 refers to special assessment liens against the premises for abatement costs.

Who hears an administrative abatement appeal?

A hearing officer appointed by the city manager, who must not have been involved in the enforcement of the case.

Can I sell a Davis house with open violations?

Yes. You can disclose them and sell as-is, including to a cash buyer. Our statewide guide explains the disclosure rules.

More guides

• We Buy Houses in Davis
• We Buy Houses in Yolo County
• Yolo County Property Tax Guide
• Davis Building Permits Guide
• Davis Zoning and ADU Guide
• All California Guides

Sources

• City of Davis: Code Enforcement
• Davis Municipal Code Article 23.04: Administrative Abatement
• Davis Municipal Code Article 23.02: Enforcement

This guide is general information from public sources, not legal advice. Confirm current rules, fees and hours with the city.