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Code enforcement credits Measure X for vacant-lot cleanups, cannabis closures and rental inspections
Summary
Santa Ana's code enforcement manager told the Measure X committee that Measure X funds support quality-of-life enforcement, vacant-property abatement, cannabis compliance and a proactive rental-inspection program; staff described results and provided program metrics.
Yvette Portugal, Santa Ana's code enforcement manager, told the Measure X Citizen Oversight Committee Measure X funds support a broad code-enforcement program that targets vacant lots and structures, illegal cannabis dispensaries, unpermitted construction and recurring quality-of-life issues.
Portugal said the department received $324,000 in quality-of-life monies in fiscal year 2023'24 for service enhancements that enabled collaboration with the city attorney, police, public works, the county health agency and state regulators to address persistent nuisances. "In the fiscal year of 2324, we received 324,000 in quality of life monies for service enhancement to tackle public nuisance issues," Portugal said.
She described practical results: weekly inspections of vacant properties and lots, boarding and securing abandoned structures to reduce fire risk, coordinated enforcement to close illegal cannabis retail sites within 24 hours of a confirmed complaint, and efforts to bring commercial properties into compliance so tenants and customers will return. Portugal showed before-and-after photos of cleaned parcels and commercial centers and said persistent vendor and weekend-night enforcement reduced unpermitted activity.
Portugal provided program metrics: 17 Measure X-funded staff worked a total of 6,038 staff hours in the reported period; the division issued 635 permits with a reported value of improvements of about $4,000,000 for 2023'24; and the department processed 21 appeals (12 upheld, 1 dismissed by the time of reporting). She said rental-property inspections are scheduled proactively with 30 days'notice and spot-checked for complaints, and that the department uses phased compliance schedules when owners need time to make repairs.
Committee members praised the My Santa Ana app as an effective channel for residents to report issues and asked about interagency coordination for flood-channel maintenance; Portugal said the department notifies county public-works partners when riverbeds or channels require action and follows up as needed.
Portugal's presentation emphasized that Measure X staffing contributed to faster, sustained enforcement across multiple code-enforcement priorities and that continuing funding permits the city to require and verify corrective work rather than leaving properties in long-term disrepair.
