Gaithersburg, MD Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)

Gaithersburg property maintenance codes require owners to keep lots free of excessive vegetation, dead trees, and accumulated brush that creates a fire hazard. The city code enforcement division inspects properties and issues violation notices for overgrown conditions. While Gaithersburg is in a humid subtropical climate with lower wildfire risk than western states, brush accumulation near structures still creates fire danger — particularly during late summer dry spells and autumn leaf fall. Property owners must maintain grass below maximum height limits (typically 12 inches) and remove dead trees and limbs that could fall on structures or power lines. Pepco and utility companies maintain clearance around overhead power lines. The city conducts seasonal enforcement sweeps, particularly in spring and late summer. Montgomery County also addresses vegetation fire hazards through its fire prevention inspection program. Properties adjacent to wooded stream valley parks — common in Gaithersburg — should maintain defensible space by clearing brush and dead vegetation within 30 feet of structures. The city offers yard waste collection through its Department of Public Works.