Los Banos, CA Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing sections
- § 10-3.111(a)(1), § 10-3.112
- Includes
- Dry grass, stubble, brush, dead plants/shrubs/trees
- Civil penalty
- Up to $2,500 per day
- Criminal penalty
- Up to $1,000 fine or 6 months jail
- Infraction option
- $250 first offense, $500 repeat
- Owner duty
- Also covers abutting street/sidewalk strip
Summary
Los Banos bans keeping dry grass, brush or dead vegetation that creates a fire hazard on any property, defining it as nuisance vegetation under § 10-3.111(a)(1) and prohibiting it outright under § 10-3.112, enforced through nuisance abatement and civil or criminal penalties.
As used in this section, "nuisance vegetation" means any of the following: (1) Dry grass, stubble, hay, brush, any dry or dead plant, bush, shrub, tree, or other dry vegetation which present a visual blight upon the area, which may harbor insect or rodent infestations or which may likely become a fire hazard or result in a condition which may threaten the health and safety or the economic welfare of adjacent property owners or occupants; ... It is unlawful and shall constitute an abatable nuisance for any person owning, leasing, occupying, or having charge, control, or possession of any property in the City to maintain or permit to exist upon such property any nuisance vegetation or junk, regardless of the source or origin of such material.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4356507; v3 updated 2025-03-05).
Full Breakdown
Los Banos addresses brush and dry vegetation as a fire risk through Title 10, Chapter 3, Article 4, Nuisance Vegetation and Junk, added by Ordinance 1059 in 2007. 111(a)(1) defines 'nuisance vegetation' to include dry grass, stubble, hay, brush, and any dry or dead plant, bush, shrub or tree that presents a visual blight, may harbor insect or rodent infestation, or is likely to become a fire hazard or threaten the health, safety or economic welfare of adjacent property owners. The definition sweeps in related fire-adjacent hazards too: poison oak, poison ivy, mistletoe and other parasitic growth capable of spreading to healthy trees, puncture vine, and tumbleweeds capable of blowing loose and creating pedestrian or vehicular hazards.
112 then makes it unlawful, and an abatable nuisance, for any owner, lessee, occupant or person with charge, control or possession of property in the City to maintain or permit any nuisance vegetation to exist on that property, regardless of where the material came from. 114 places an affirmative duty on every property owner to keep the property, the abutting half of the street or alley, and the sidewalk strip free of nuisance vegetation, and to remove it once it accumulates. 115 once a property fails a third inspection for continuing noncompliance.
Violations & Fines
Maintaining dry grass, brush or dead vegetation that is a fire hazard is enforceable civilly and criminally. Under § 10-3.102, a court may impose a civil penalty up to $2,500 per day the violation continues. Under § 10-3.103, a violation is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 and six months in County jail, though the City Attorney may instead charge it as an infraction carrying a $250 fine for a first offense and up to $500 for repeat offenses within a year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be cited for dry brush on my Los Banos property even if it hasn't caught fire?
What is the maximum fine for letting nuisance vegetation accumulate in Los Banos?
Am I responsible for brush along the street in front of my Los Banos property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Banos
California rules heatmap·Compare Los Banos to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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