Tulare County, CA Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)

Under Tulare County Ordinance Code Chapter 4-11 (Fire Hazardous Weeds and Rubbish Ordinance), enacted under Government Code 25845 and Health & Safety Code 14930-14931, weeds, grass, rank growth, and combustible rubbish that create a fire hazard are declared a public nuisance (Section 4-11-1065). Every property owner in the unincorporated county has a duty to prevent such nuisances (Section 4-11-1075). When the County Fire Chief finds a violation, the owner is served a notice and order to abate (Section 4-11-1125); the owner has 15 days to request administrative review and at least 30 days before the County may abate the hazard itself (Section 4-11-1260). If the County abates, the cost — plus an administrative fee — is billed to the owner and can become a special assessment and lien on the property collected with property taxes (Section 4-11-1285). Separately, California Public Resources Code 4291 requires 100 feet of defensible space around buildings in wildfire-prone areas (zones within 0-30 ft and 30-100 ft of structures), enforced by CAL FIRE in the State Responsibility Area. Tulare County publishes LRA defensible-space and minimum weed/grass/rubbish abatement standards through its Fire Department Hazard Abatement Program.