Highland Code Enforcement Guide for Homeowners

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

Highland’s Code Enforcement Division handles nuisances, vehicles, substandard housing and property maintenance, and a city administrative citation starts at $100 for a first infraction. This guide explains what the city enforces, how citations and appeals work, how abatement costs can become liens, and what to do if you want to sell a property with open violations.

Highland code enforcement at a glance

Division	Code Enforcement, Community Development, City of Highland
Phone	909-864-6861
Hours	Monday to Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Report a problem	Phone, in person, or the city’s online complaint portal
Citations	Highland Municipal Code Chapter 2.56 (administrative citations)
Property maintenance	Highland Municipal Code Chapter 8.32; the Uniform Housing Code is the property maintenance code (Chapter 15.28)
Nuisance abatement	Chapter 8.28; vehicle abatement Chapter 10.20; foreclosed and abandoned property Chapter 8.54
Citation fines (infractions)	$100 first, $200 second within a year, $500 each additional

What Highland enforces

According to the city, the division handles land use and zoning, public nuisance, vehicle abatement, substandard housing and property, and street vendors. For homeowners, the property maintenance chapter is the one that matters most. It sets standards on the condition of structures and yards, including these items:

• Overgrown vegetation and weeds.
• Graffiti left in place for 10 days or more.
• Junk or inoperable vehicles and parking on unpaved ground.
• Storage visible from the street for more than 48 hours.
• Trash bins stored in front or side yards, and clotheslines visible from the street.
• Structures in disrepair, such as broken windows, damaged roofs or unsafe stairs.

Building, fire, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, residential, green, energy, existing-building and historical code violations, plus violations of the Property Maintenance Code and Sign Code, are treated as misdemeanors, and they carry higher fines than ordinary infractions.

How citations work

Under Chapter 2.56, infraction fines are $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second within a year and $500 for each additional one. Misdemeanor-level violations are $500 first, $750 second and $1,000 for each additional violation within a year. Payment is due within 25 days of service, and a late payment brings a double penalty. For non-emergency building, plumbing, electrical, structural or zoning problems, the city first gives a 15-day notice to correct.

Appeals

1. Appeal of a citation. Request a hearing before the appeals board within 10 days, with an advance deposit plus the hearing fee, or a hardship waiver request.
2. Hearing. The city schedules the hearing within 90 days.
3. Further appeal. A decision can be appealed to the City Council within 10 days.
4. Property maintenance orders. Under Chapter 8.32, the building official sets an abatement period of at least 10 days. An appeal goes to the City Council within 10 days, the Council decides within 45 days, and judicial action must be filed within 30 days of the decision.

Abatement costs, liens and repeat violations

If an owner does not fix a violation, the city can do the work and charge the costs. Chapter 8.28 makes people who do not comply liable for abatement costs and attorney fees.

Under Chapter 8.32, costs can become a special assessment and lien recorded with the San Bernardino County recorder, or be added to the next property tax bill. A second judgment within two years can bring treble costs.

A recorded lien follows the property, so it usually has to be paid at closing.

The city may also record a notice of pending action and use assessments on the tax rolls. Foreclosed and abandoned properties have their own rules under Chapter 8.54, so owners of vacant or inherited homes should check them.

Vacant, inherited or distressed homes

Heirs and landlords often face citations because nobody is maintaining the yard or securing the building. Handle those items first, since fines can repeat. Our probate home sale guide and inherited home guide cover the sale side.

Selling a Highland home with open violations

Open violations can appear in a buyer’s inspection, in a title search and in escrow, and California sellers generally disclose known problems. Our statewide guides on selling as-is with unpermitted work and seller closing costs explain the basics. A short checklist:

• Save every notice, photo and email, and note each deadline.
• Ask Code Enforcement whether the case is open, in appeal or closed, and whether any lien was recorded.
• Get written estimates for each correction.
• Compare fixing everything with selling as-is to a cash buyer.

What to do if you receive a Highland notice

1. Read the notice for the cited code section, the condition described and the date by which it must be corrected.
2. Photograph the property now, and again after each correction.
3. Call Code Enforcement at 909-864-6861 to confirm what counts as compliance and whether an extension is possible.
4. Calendar the 10-day appeal window and the 25-day payment deadline right away, since both run from service of the notice.
5. Keep receipts for cleanup, hauling and repairs.

Common triggers for notices

Most cases begin with a neighbor complaint or an officer’s drive-by observation. Overgrown yards, vehicles parked on dirt, junk stored where it can be seen from the street and trash bins left out are among the most frequent.

For rental owners, tenant behavior can lead to citations against the property owner, so landlords should check on the property regularly. Our tenant-occupied home sale guide explains what to consider when a rental has open issues and you want to sell.

Keep in mind that fines can repeat. Because the second and later violations within a year carry higher amounts, fixing the underlying problem is usually cheaper than paying the first citation and leaving it in place.

Vehicles and street storage

Vehicle rules are a frequent source of citations. The property maintenance chapter targets junk or inoperable vehicles and parking on unpaved ground, and storage visible from the street for more than 48 hours is another listed condition. Chapter 10.20 covers vehicle abatement separately. If a vehicle is parked legally but stays for weeks, move it or store it out of sight to avoid a complaint.

How to sell a house in Highland

1. Review any open notices, appeal deadlines and liens on the property.
2. Collect photos, correspondence and repair estimates.
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.

Our local pages cover related situations in Highland, including selling as-is, selling fast, cash home buyers and the cash offer process. See also our Highland page and the San Bernardino County hub.

Frequently asked questions

How do I report a code violation in Highland?

Call 909-864-6861, visit City Hall, or use the city’s online complaint portal. The office is open Monday to Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

What are the fines for an administrative citation in Highland?

For infractions, the code lists $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second within a year and $500 for each additional one. Misdemeanor-level violations carry $500, $750 and $1,000.

How long do I have to pay a Highland citation?

Payment is due within 25 days of service. A late payment brings a double penalty.

How do I appeal a Highland citation?

Request a hearing before the appeals board within 10 days, with an advance deposit and the hearing fee or a hardship waiver request. A further appeal to the City Council is made within 10 days.

Can Highland put a lien on my property for abatement costs?

Yes. Costs can become a special assessment and lien recorded with the San Bernardino County recorder, or be added to the next tax bill.

What property conditions does Highland regulate?

Examples include overgrown vegetation, graffiti left 10 days or more, junk vehicles, storage visible from the street for over 48 hours and bins stored in front or side yards.

Can I sell my Highland house with open code violations?

Yes. You can disclose the violations and sell as-is, including to a cash buyer. Liens or unpaid city costs generally have to be settled at closing.

More guides

• We Buy Houses in Highland
• We Buy Houses in San Bernardino County
• San Bernardino County Property Tax Guide
• Highland Building Permits Guide
• Highland Zoning and ADU Guide
• Yucaipa Building Permits Guide
• Yucaipa Code Enforcement Guide
• Yucaipa Zoning and ADU Guide
• Redlands Building Permits Guide
• All California Guides

Sources

• City of Highland: Code Enforcement
• Highland Municipal Code Chapter 2.56: Administrative Citations
• Highland Municipal Code Chapter 8.32: Property Maintenance
• Highland Municipal Code Chapter 8.28: Nuisances
• Highland Municipal Code Chapter 10.20: Vehicle Abatement
• Highland Municipal Code Chapter 8.54: Foreclosed and Abandoned Properties

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