Merced County, CA Landscaping Rules: Grass Height Limits (2026)

Unincorporated Merced County does not set a cosmetic maximum lawn height the way some city codes do. Instead, vegetation control is driven by fire prevention under Merced County Code Chapter 9.25, which the County Fire Department enforces in its entirety. The County's published standard is a minimum 30-foot disced firebreak OR a 50-foot mowed firebreak around all buildings, structures and property lines; the Weed Abatement FAQ states a 12-foot disc is not wide enough. Because Merced is heavily agricultural, grasslands and grain fields produce large volumes of dry fuel that burns readily in summer, so the rule targets ignitable growth rather than tidy turf. Abatement is not always one-time: if discing is done in spring but weeds regrow after rain, a second disc or mow is required, and owners must maintain abatement through the dry season (typically April 1 to November 1). Open fields are not exempt. Engine companies begin inspections in May, with a secondary inspection about two weeks later, then Prevention staff monitor parcels until November 1. Burning weed piles is prohibited (no burn days during the dry season per the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District).