Section 11573.5 - Orders to protect witnesses; order of closure(a) At the time of application for issuance of a temporary restraining order or injunction pursuant to Section 11573, if proof of the existence of the nuisance depends, in whole or part, upon the affidavits of witnesses who are not peace officers, upon a showing of prior threats of violence or acts of violence by any defendant or other person, the court may issue orders to protect those witnesses, including, but not limited to, nondisclosure of the name, address, or any other information which may identify those witnesses.(b) A temporary restraining order or injunction issued pursuant to Section 11573 may include closure of the premises pending trial when a prior order or injunction does not result in the abatement of the nuisance. The duration of the order or injunction shall be within the court's discretion. In no event shall the total period of closure pending trial exceed one year. Prior to ruling on a request for closure the court may order that some or all of the rent payments owing to the defendant be placed in an escrow account for a period of up to 90 days or until the nuisance is abated. If the court subsequently orders a closure of the premises, the money in the escrow account shall be used to pay for relocation assistance pursuant to subdivision (d). In ruling upon a request for closure, whether for a defined or undefined duration, the court shall consider all of the following factors: (1) The extent and duration of the nuisance at the time of the request.(2) Prior efforts by the defendant to comply with previous court orders to abate the nuisance.(3) The nature and extent of any effect which the nuisance has upon other persons, such as residents or businesses. (4) Any effect of prior orders placing displaced residents' or occupants' rent payments into an escrow account upon the defendant's efforts to abate the nuisance.(5) The effect of granting the request upon any resident or occupant of the premises who is not named in the action, including the availability of alternative housing or relocation assistance, the pendency of any action to evict a resident or occupant, and any evidence of participation by a resident or occupant in the nuisance activity.(c) In making an order of closure pursuant to this section, the court may order the premises vacated and may issue any other orders necessary to effectuate the closure. However, all tenants who may be affected by the order shall be provided reasonable notice and an opportunity to be heard at all hearings regarding the closure request prior to the issuance of any order.(d) In making an order of closure pursuant to this section, the court shall order the defendant to provide relocation assistance to any tenant ordered to vacate the premises, provided the court determines that the tenant was not actively involved in the nuisance activity. The relocation assistance ordered to be paid by the defendant shall be in the amount necessary to cover moving costs, security deposits for utilities and comparable housing, adjustment in any lost rent, and any other reasonable expenses the court may deem fair and reasonable as a result of the court's order.(e) At the hearing to order closure pursuant to this section, the court may make the following orders with respect to any displaced tenant not actively involved in the nuisance: (1) Priority for senior citizens, physically handicapped persons, or persons otherwise suffering from a permanent or temporary disability for claims against money for relocation assistance. (2) Order the local agency seeking closure pursuant to this section to make reasonable attempts to seek additional sources of funds for relocation assistance to displaced tenants, if deemed necessary.(3) Appoint a receiver to oversee the disbursement of relocation assistance funds, whose services shall be paid from the escrow fund.(4) Where a defendant has paid relocation assistance pursuant to subdivision (d), the escrow account under subdivision (b) may be released to the defendant and no appointment under paragraph (3) shall be made.(f)(1) The remedies set forth pursuant to this section shall be in addition to any other existing remedies for nuisance abatement actions, including, but not limited to, the following: (A) Capital improvements to the property, such as security gates.(B) Improved interior or exterior lighting.(E) Owner membership in neighborhood or local merchants' associations.(F) Attending property management training programs.(G) Making cosmetic improvements to the property.(H) Requiring the owner or person in control of the property to reside in the property until the nuisance is abated. The order shall specify the number of hours per day or per week the owner or person in control of the property must be physically present in the property. In determining this amount, the court shall consider the nature and severity of the nuisance.(2) At all stages of an action brought pursuant to this article, the court has equitable powers to order steps necessary to remedy the problem and enhance the abatement process.Ca. Health and Saf. Code § 11573.5
Amended by Stats 2002 ch 1057 (AB 1868), s 3, eff. 1/1/2003.Amended by Stats 2001 ch 854 (SB 205), s 10, eff. 1/1/2002.