https://www.siliconvalley.com/2023/06/20/san-jose-could-get-stricter-about-graffiti-weeds-and-garbage-in-downtown/

Facing a colossal backlog of complaints in the thousands from residents about graffiti, unkept lawns and trash, San Jose is set to adopt a pilot program that would result in fines to scofflaws and give more power to code enforcement officers to reduce the blight that is making downtown an eyesore.

Under the city’s current rules, residents are responsible for submitting their own complaints about the blight surrounding buildings and homes. The pilot program — slated to start in August — would instead give that power to code enforcement officers, who would be on the search for downtown businesses and residences that aren’t maintaining their properties.