Council declares 6 Saddleback Road a public nuisance; gives homeowner 30 days to comply

Rolling Hills Estates — The City Council voted June 22 to declare the property at 6 Saddleback Road a public nuisance and authorized a 30‑day period for the homeowner to abate identified code violations before the city moves to abatement and recovery of costs.

Benjamin Johnson, the city’s planning technician and code compliance officer, told the council the case centers on a dilapidated fence, a portable toilet that staff say has been on the property since at least December, and dead vegetation that staff say creates an unsightly condition and a potential fire hazard. "The case at 6 Saddleback Road is regarding a dilapidated fence and a portable toilet that has been located on the property since at least December of this past year," Johnson said in his presentation.

Why it matters: Under Rolling Hills Municipal Code Chapter 8.24, staff may ask the council to declare conditions injurious to health, safety or property stability to be public nuisances and order abatement at the property owner’s cost. If the council adopts the resolution, a 30‑day timer begins; staff said that if the homeowner does not make satisfactory progress, the city can abate and place a lien on the property to recover costs.

Council members asked how broadly the term "nuisance" should be read, whether a standalone portable toilet qualifies, and whether the city should apply the same standard consistently across many properties with aging fences. The city attorney and code staff said the ordinance's language is intentionally broad and that some code violations are commonly pursued through nuisance proceedings when they affect multiple people or pose safety risks.

Council discussion focused on fairness and process. Several members said they did not want the issue handled solely by staff and wanted the council to get an update at the end of the 30 days. The motion that passed authorized adoption of the proposed resolution (listed in the staff packet as resolution number "14 16") and directed staff to provide an update at the July 27 council meeting on outreach and abatement progress.

Next step: The homeowner has 30 days to abate the items identified in the notice and order to abate sent June 5, 2026. If the property remains noncompliant, staff said the city will proceed with abatement and bill the homeowner; if the homeowner does not reimburse the city, a lien may be recorded.

Source: Staff presentation and council discussion at the Rolling Hills City Council meeting, June 22, 2026.