Los Angeles Declares Burned-Out Homes Public Nuisances
The city board ordered property owners to demolish dangerous structures or face potential liens.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Property Crime
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The Los Angeles Board of Building and Safety Commissioners has officially declared two fire-damaged homes, including one in Valley Glen, to be public nuisances. Owners are now required to demolish the unsafe properties at their own expense.
Why it matters
The move follows over 18 months of complaints from neighbors regarding squatters, trash, and ongoing criminal activity at these sites. These interventions aim to resolve persistent hazards that property owners previously failed to address despite multiple city orders.
The city has issued orders for owners to demolish the structures at 13455 W. Bassett St. and 10926 Hartsook St. at their own expense, with city-led demolition and liens possible if compliance is not met.
The players
Los Angeles Board of Building and Safety Commissioners
This board oversees building code enforcement and public safety issues related to property conditions within the city.
Los Angeles City Council
The council acts as the legislative body for the city and has ordered a study on a new citywide abatement program.
The details
Local residents reported issues such as drug use, fire debris, and unsanitary pool conditions at these properties for over a year and a half. While a criminal complaint against one owner was filed in 2026, the board recently voted unanimously to move forward with the nuisance declarations.
Timeline
April 2025: Properties received initial code violations after being destroyed by fire.
2026: A criminal complaint was filed against the owner of one of the properties.
October 20, 2026: The Board of Commissioners voted to declare both homes public nuisances.
November 2026: The city is expected to receive a report on a new abatement program.
Legal Context
The city is formalizing its response to derelict properties by ordering a comprehensive report on a new vacant and public nuisance property abatement program. This effort seeks to standardize how Los Angeles handles long-term eyesores that have become hubs for crime.
Neighbors who have dealt with squatters and criminal activity at these sites may see the demolition of the properties as a step toward restoring neighborhood safety. The city-led abatement program currently under review could lead to more aggressive interventions at similar derelict sites across the city.
The takeaway
Persistent neglect of residential property can lead to formal city intervention and potential financial liability for owners. Neighbors dealing with similar hazards should maintain detailed documentation to assist local authorities in enforcement actions.
What happens next
City staff are scheduled to present a report to the City Council regarding a proposed citywide vacant and public nuisance property abatement program by November 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about local efforts to manage dangerous sites at Los Angeles Property Crime.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NBC Southern California.
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