What is a blight designation?

A blight designation, in the context of California eminent domain law, is a legal determination that a certain group of properties, as defined by a local agency, is blighted. For example, a city can designate a neighborhood containing many dilapidated buildings as blighted. In California, the power to define and declare blight lies with the local government. Before a blight designation is granted, the local government must conduct an analysis to show that the proposed designation is necessary and beneficial to the overall public welfare. The threshold for meeting this requirement is set very low in California. That is, it typically does not require demonstrating that the properties are posing a safety hazard or that a majority of the properties are in disrepair. Once a blight designation is granted, it may allow the local government to exercise its power of eminent domain over the affected properties. That is, the government may be able to purchase said properties from their owners without the owner’s consent. However, the owner must be compensated for the value of his or her property. Furthermore, a blight designation may also trigger other public interventions, such as providing low-interest loans for the rehabilitation of the affected properties. In sum, a blight designation is a legal determination by a local government that certain properties are blighted and in need of public intervention. This designation may make the properties eligible for eminent domain and other types of public assistance.

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What is a blight designation?

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