Lodi enforces vegetation maintenance through the Community Improvement Division: grass that 'clearly exceeds 12 inches in height' is a code violation, and dry weeds or brush that present a fire hazard must be abated. Lodi sits in the Central Valley flatland and is NOT mapped as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone under California Government Code Section 51178, so the 100-foot defensible-space rule of Public Resources Code 4291 does not apply citywide; the controlling standards are LMC Title 8 (Health and Safety) and the California Fire Code's general hazard-abatement provisions adopted at LMC Chapter 15.20.
Lodi's Community Improvement Division enforces vegetation and fire-hazard standards under Lodi Municipal Code Title 8 (Health and Safety). The published Common Violations guide states 'grass that is clearly exceeding 12 inches in height' is a violation; sporadic weeds between mowings do not constitute a violation. Front-yard tree branches must clear sidewalks at 10 feet minimum; branches over streets require 13-foot clearance. Lodi adopts the California Fire Code at LMC 15.20; CFC Section 304 (Combustible Waste Material) requires owners to keep premises free of combustible waste, weeds, dry grass and brush that constitute a fire hazard. Because Lodi is a Central Valley city (elevation ~52 feet) inside the Local Responsibility Area and is not designated by CAL FIRE as a Moderate, High, or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, California Public Resources Code 4291's 100-foot defensible-space requirement (which applies in State Responsibility Areas and Very High FHSZ areas) does not apply within the city. Code enforcement remedies under LMC include inspection warrants, abatement orders, liens recorded against the property title, receiverships, and injunctions. The City may abate hazardous vegetation directly and recover costs as a lien.
Initial violation typically results in a written notice from the Community Improvement Division ((209) 333-6823) ordering abatement within a stated time. Failure to abate authorizes the City to perform the work and recover costs via lien recorded against the property. Continuing violations may be charged as a misdemeanor under CFC 109.4 (fine up to $1,000 or up to six months in jail) or as a civil infraction under the LMC administrative citation process.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Lodi, CA
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