Tracy, CA Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)
Key Facts
- Buffer from street/right-of-way
- 10 feet
- Buffer from nonagricultural neighbor
- 10 feet
- Notice-to-abate deadline
- 20 days
- Enforcing official
- Fire Chief
- Unpaid cost outcome
- certified as County lien
Summary
Tracy declares any farm crop that grows large or dry enough to become a fire hazard a public nuisance if it sits within ten feet of a street or public right-of-way, or within ten feet of a nonagricultural neighbor. The Fire Chief enforces the rule with a twenty-day abatement notice before the City clears the crop and bills the owner.
4.12.270 - Certain farm crops public nuisances: It is hereby found and declared that the existence of any farm crops, which will attain such growth as to become a fire menace when dry, in, upon, or in front of any property within ten (10') feet of any street or traveled portion of any public right-of-way, or within ten (10') feet of any adjacent property being used for other than agricultural purposes, is a public nuisance and dangerous to the public health and safety of the inhabitants of the City.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 69).
Full Breakdown
12. It targets farm crops specifically, not ordinary weeds: any crop that will grow tall or dry enough to become a fire menace is declared a public nuisance if it sits within ten feet of any street or traveled public right-of-way, or within ten feet of adjacent property being used for something other than agriculture. 250's definition of 'weeds,' which covers wild grasses and weeds that attain large growth and become a fire menace when dry, such as foxtails, tumbleweeds and gourd vines, alongside any other noxious or dangerous growth.
280, describing the parcel by assessor map and tax account number and setting a City Council hearing date at least five days ahead, and the owner has twenty days from mailing to clear the fire-menace crop. 290 before ordering abatement. 340. 310, and interfering with that entry is separately unlawful.
Violations & Fines
Keeping a fire-menace farm crop within ten feet of a street, public right-of-way, or nonagricultural adjacent property beyond the twenty-day abatement window set by TMC § 4.12.280 exposes the owner to City-performed removal and a billed assessment under § 4.12.300, which becomes a lien on the property if unpaid past the one-month deadline under §§ 4.12.330-4.12.340. Refusing City representatives daylight entry to inspect or abate the crop is separately unlawful under § 4.12.310.
Frequently Asked Questions
How close can a fire-hazard farm crop grow to a Tracy street?
Does the ten-foot farm crop rule apply next to any neighboring property?
Who enforces Tracy's fire-menace crop nuisance rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tracy
California rules heatmap·Compare Tracy to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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Brush Clearance in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Joaquin County handle brush clearance.