Cerritos Property Preservation Commission finds five properties public nuisances, orders abatement periods

The Cerritos Property Preservation Commission on March 31, 2026, voted to adopt resolutions finding five separate properties in Cerritos to be public nuisances and set abatement periods ranging from 21 to 30 days.

City code enforcement staff presented the cases, reporting repeated inspections, prior warnings and, in some instances, prior resolutions and administrative citations. Staff outlined violations including trash and debris in public view, dead or dying vegetation, lack of landscape maintenance, unpermitted alterations and inoperable vehicles visible from the public right-of-way.

For the property in the 2000 block of Harvest Way, Senior Code Enforcement Officer Kim Artema reviewed records showing similar resolutions and citations dating to 2013, 2016, 2019 and 2023 and described recent inspections that found trash cans and debris, dead palm fronds, exterior deterioration and an inoperable vehicle. City staff recommended adoption of a resolution and a 30-day abatement period; Vice Chair Celia Spitzer moved to adopt and Commissioner Brian Ferrer seconded. The commission carried the motion.

At the 17000 block of Alfred Avenue, Code Enforcement Officer Brian Lane reported unpermitted roof work, removal of ground cover and installation of unapproved mulch and artificial turf in parkway areas. Lane said staff granted a one-month extension after the owner requested more time but that required landscape approvals were not obtained; staff recommended a 21-day abatement period. Commissioner Eric Westfall moved to adopt the resolution; Vice Chair Spitzer seconded and the motion carried.

A property on the 13700 block of Carnaby (also referenced in the record as Carnegie) Street was the subject of a staff report describing persistent lack of ground cover, unapproved pavers and artificial turf and other maintenance issues. Lane said staff spoke with the owner after the posting and provided community development contact information; staff recommended a 21-day abatement period. Commissioner Brian Ferrer moved to adopt the resolution; Commissioner Eric Westfall seconded and the commission approved the motion.

For the 17100 block property (listed in the record as Courtenay/Cortner Avenue), Code Enforcement Officer Darnell Jerry described exterior paint and repair needs. Commissioners questioned whether the property was occupied and whether the deficiencies extended beyond the gate; Jerry said the property is occupied and that staff would follow up. Vice Chair Spitzer moved to adopt the resolution with a 21-day abatement period; Commissioner Westfall seconded and the motion carried.

At the 19500 block of Rainbow Court, Jerry said staff had documented repeated violations over multiple inspections and that while the owner had reported working out of state, recent inspections showed remaining repair and vehicle violations; staff recommended a 30-day abatement period. Commissioner Brian Ferrer moved to adopt the resolution; a commissioner recorded as Robles seconded and the motion carried.

No members of the public addressed the commission during the item-specific hearings. After the votes, commissioners thanked visiting ASB students who led the Pledge of Allegiance and the meeting was adjourned.

The resolutions direct property owners to abate the specified violations within the periods set by staff (21 or 30 days, as noted); the commission record does not include roll-call vote tallies by name, only that motions carried. Next steps are enforcement follow-up by code enforcement staff according to the adopted timelines.