Properties in Long Beach fire hazard zones must maintain 100 ft of defensible space per CA PRC §4291. Zone 1 (0-30 ft) requires lean, clean, green landscaping. Zone 2 (30-100 ft) requires reduced vegetation.
Under LBMC Chapter 8.56 (Weed Removal), property owners are required to remove all weeds, grasses, shrubs, or dead trees upon lots, parcels, or alleyways that pose a fire hazard. Weed abatement is year-round in Long Beach. Property owners must create a defensible space of at least 100 feet by removing all dead and dying vegetation. Additional requirements include maintaining 3x vegetation spacing (three times the dimension of the tree between plantings), using fire-resistant landscaping such as succulents and rock within a 30-foot diameter around the property, removing leaves from yards and rain gutters, and trimming tree branches at least 10 feet from chimneys. Property owners have 30 days after receiving a notice to demonstrate compliance, with inspections beginning in May.
If a property owner fails to clear their parcel after notification, the City contracts commercial clearance at premium rates plus administrative fees. Unpaid charges result in a lien recorded against the property. In recent assessment cycles, weed removal charges have exceeded $16,000 for individual properties.
Long Beach, CA
Long Beach has no city ordinance specifically regulating residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or year-round decorations. Front-yard structures must comply w...
Long Beach, CA
Long Beach has no city ordinance regulating residential holiday inflatables. Size, lighting, and motor noise are not separately regulated, though general LBM...
Long Beach, CA
Long Beach has no city ordinance regulating the display window or brightness of residential holiday lights. Light trespass is enforced only under LBMC Sectio...
Long Beach, CA
Long Beach requires Building and Safety permits for built-in outdoor kitchens that include gas piping, electrical wiring, or plumbing under LBMC Chapter 18.0...
Long Beach, CA
Long Beach has no city ordinance specifically regulating residential wood-fired smokers or pizza ovens. Smoke nuisance is enforced under LBMC Section 8.80 (n...
Long Beach, CA
Long Beach prohibits open-flame cooking devices and LP-gas containers over 1 pound on combustible balconies of multi-family buildings under California Fire C...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Los Angeles County.
See how other cities in Los Angeles County handle brush clearance.
See how Long Beach's brush clearance rules stack up against other locations.
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