Brush Clearance: Rialto vs Victorville
How do brush clearance rules compare between Rialto, CA and Victorville, CA?
Rialto and Victorville have similar restriction levels.
Rialto, CA
San Bernardino County
Rialto Municipal Code §15.28.060 (Vacant Lot Clearance) requires owners of vacant lots and improved parcels to clear weeds, brush, rubbish, and combustible vegetation creating a fire hazard. The Rialto Fire Department administers an annual weed abatement program; non-compliant lots are cleared by the city with costs (plus an administrative fee) becoming a lien on the property.
View full Rialto rules →Victorville, CA
San Bernardino County
Victorville requires owners to keep lots free of dry weeds, brush, tumbleweeds, and rubbish under VMC nuisance rules and CA H and S 14875. High Desert parcels near hills require 100-foot defensible space under PRC 4291.
View full Victorville rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Rialto | Victorville |
|---|---|---|
| Local code | Rialto Mun. Code §15.28.060 (Vacant Lot Clearance) | - |
| WUI defensible space | 100 ft. per PRC §4291 (5 / 5-30 / 30-100 zones) | - |
| Annual program | Spring weed abatement notices, ~30-day compliance | - |
| Forced abatement | City contracts cleanup + admin fee + tax lien | - |
| Enforcement | Rialto Fire Dept. + Community Compliance (909-820-8070) | Code Enforcement (760) 955-5104 |
| State authority | - | CA H and S 14875-14922 and PRC 4291 |
| Defensible space | - | 100 feet near VHFHSZ |
| Tumbleweeds | - | Specifically cited as fuel |
| Abatement fees | - | Billed to owner plus admin cost |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Rialto FAQ
When do I need to clear my vacant lot?
By the date stated in your annual weed-abatement notice from Rialto Fire (typically late spring before fire season). Vegetation must be cut to 3 inches or less and combustible debris removed.
What happens if I don't clear my lot?
The city will contract a crew to clear it at your expense, adding administrative overhead (often 25–40%) and recording a lien on your property under Gov. Code §39574.
Does PRC 4291 apply to my Rialto home?
Only if your structure is in or adjacent to a State Responsibility Area or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (mainly the northern foothill / Cajon Pass overlay). Most Rialto residential parcels follow Mun. Code §15.28.060 instead.
Victorville FAQ
Do I need 100-foot defensible space in Victorville?
If your parcel touches or sits inside a CAL FIRE Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (common along the north and east foothills), yes under PRC 4291. Valley-floor parcels still need weed and tumbleweed abatement.
Who handles tumbleweeds that blow in from a neighbor's vacant lot?
The owner of the parcel where the tumbleweeds accumulate is responsible for removal. You can also file a complaint against the source lot through Victorville Code Enforcement.
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