San Bernardino, CA Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Regulated plant
- castor bean (Ricinus communis)
- Trigger
- nuisance or health menace finding
- Enforcing officer
- health officer or designee
- Notice form
- written order to owner/occupant
- Offense level
- infraction under § 1.12.010
- Governing law
- Municipal Code Ch. 8.84
Summary
San Bernardino requires property owners to destroy and remove castor bean (Ricinus communis) plants once the health officer finds one growing as a nuisance or health menace. Knowingly ignoring the written removal order is an infraction under Municipal Code Chapter 8.84.
Whenever it comes to the attention of the health officer, or other designated officer, that a castor bean (Ricinus communis) plant is growing upon any lot or premises in the city in such a manner as to cause a nuisance or menace to health, he or she shall order such castor bean (Ricinus communis) plant destroyed and removed. Notice of the order shall be in writing addressed to the owner or occupant thereof and shall set forth the time within which the destruction and removal shall be completed.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-2: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. MC-1666, passed 8-5-2026).
Full Breakdown
010 gives the health officer, or another designated officer, authority to order destruction and removal of a castor bean plant whenever it comes to their attention that one is growing on any lot or premises in the city in a manner that causes a nuisance or menace to health; castor bean seeds contain ricin and the plant is the only species this chapter singles out by name. The order must be a written notice addressed to the owner or occupant, and it must set the time within which destruction and removal must be completed.
010. The chapter originates from Ordinance 2417, passed February 14, 1962, and was most recently amended by Ordinance 821, passed August 9, 2021, showing the rule has stayed in force for over six decades. This is a narrow, single-species removal mandate rather than a broad noxious-weed or invasive-species list; the code does not name any other plant species for mandatory removal.
Violations & Fines
Knowingly failing, refusing or neglecting to destroy and remove a castor bean plant after receiving the health officer's written removal order is an infraction under § 8.84.020, punishable in accordance with the general penalty schedule at Municipal Code § 1.12.010. The notice itself sets the compliance deadline; enforcement follows only after that deadline passes without compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does San Bernardino ban invasive plants generally?
Who decides a castor bean plant must be removed?
What happens if I ignore the removal notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Bernardino
California rules heatmap·Compare San Bernardino to another location·View the California invasive plant rules overview
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Prohibited Species in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle prohibited species.