SACRAMENTO, CA – Assemblyman Marc Steinorth (R-Rancho Cucamonga) introduced legislation to protect property owners from trespassers who threaten the safety and condition of private property. The bill, AB 2391, will allow all cities and counties to participate in a program to provide expedited recourse for the removal of trespassers.
Squatting is a persistent issue in California, with unauthorized people occupying property they have not rented and do not own. Existing law generally requires at least 30 days for removal of unlawful occupants, and the issue has grown so large that guides on how to squat in vacant homes are available online. In 2014, the Legislature declared squatting was a “public nuisance” to local communities, and enacted a pilot program to allow Palmdale, Lancaster, and Ukiah to use an expedited process to remove squatters from vacant property. Assembly Bill 2391 would allow all cities and counties in the state to opt in to this program.
“This type of trespassing poses a serious threat to the health and safety of neighborhoods up and down the state,” said Steinorth. “It is time to ensure all Californians are afforded the same protections from the law so communities can quickly and effectively deal with this issue.”
Under the program, property owners may register their vacant property with local law enforcement, which then regularly inspects the location for squatters. If an inspecting officer finds an unauthorized occupant, the occupant must be notified they are subject to trespass and may be removed by court order. The owner may then file for a temporary restraining order and injunctive relief against the violator within 48 hours.
In addition to the damage to private property owners, squatting poses a significant cost to public health and resources. For example, a number of recent fires in vacant buildings across California have been attributed to squatters, including one in San Bernardino that injured two firefighters. AB 2391 will allow law enforcement and property owners to cooperate to ensure that such cases are resolved before the public bears further burdens.
Assemblyman Steinorth represents the 40th Assembly District which includes Rancho Cucamonga, San Bernardino, Highland, Loma Linda, and Redlands.
