Weed Ordinances: Delano vs Ridgecrest
How do weed ordinances rules compare between Delano, CA and Ridgecrest, CA?
Delano and Ridgecrest have similar restriction levels.
Delano, CA
Kern County
Delano regulates hazardous materials under DC §20.10.110, requiring businesses storing more than 55 gallons of liquid, 300 pounds of solid, or 200 cubic feet of compressed gas of any hazardous material to file a Business Plan with Kern County Environmental Health and the Fire Department.
View full Delano rules →Ridgecrest, CA
Kern County
Kern County Ordinance Code Chapter 8.46 declares weeds and other hazardous growths a public nuisance subject to abatement, administered by the Fire Department under the Fire Hazard Reduction Program (FHRP).
View full Ridgecrest rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Delano | Ridgecrest |
|---|---|---|
| Code | Delano DC §20.10.110 | - |
| Business Plan Threshold | 55 gal / 300 lb / 200 cf | - |
| AHM Solid Threshold | 500 lb | - |
| Code Chapter | - | Kern County Ordinance Code Ch. 8.46 |
| Title | - | Title 8 — Health and Safety |
| Program Name | - | Fire Hazard Reduction Program (FHRP) |
| Annual Clearance Deadline | - | June 1 |
| Cost Recovery Section | - | § 8.46.110 (Abatement cost — Collection) |
| State Authority | - | Cal. Gov't Code § 25845 |
| Enforcement Contact | - | hazardreduction@kerncountyfire.org |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Delano FAQ
What is an AHM?
Acutely Hazardous Material — defined in the Kern County Hazardous Waste Management Plan; includes most chemicals with EPA RQ values.
Ridgecrest FAQ
Who enforces Chapter 8.46 in unincorporated Kern County?
The Kern County Fire Department administers Chapter 8.46 through the Fire Hazard Reduction Program. The program is a joint effort between KCFD, Cal Fire, and Kern County Code Enforcement. Code Compliance handles weed complaints in Bakersfield's urbanized areas while the Fire Department investigates outlying county areas, per the FHRP responsibility map.
What if I cannot afford to abate?
The Kern County Fire Department's FAQ acknowledges that financial or physical hardship may apply. Property owners should contact hazardreduction@kerncountyfire.org to inquire about extensions or assistance options.
Can the County abate weeds on my property without notice?
Generally no — Chapter 8.46 follows a notice-and-citation procedure with a 15-day correction window after the citation is mailed. However, California Government Code § 25845(a) authorizes summary abatement (without prior notice) when an immediate threat to public safety exists, such as during declared fire conditions.
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