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

Per Kern County Ordinance Code Chapter 8.46 (Weeds and Other Hazardous Growths), all property owners in unincorporated Kern County must perform annual fire hazard reduction clearance by June 1. The Kern County Fire Department's Hazard Reduction Clearance Requirements Checklist specifies the standards: a 30-foot clearance of all non-ornamental combustibles and vegetation around all structures (including wood piles); a total 100-foot reduction of all non-ornamental combustibles and vegetation around all structures; a 10-foot clearance of combustible material around LPG and fuel tanks; and a minimum 10-foot clearance along all property lines that encroach on the 100-foot defensible space of adjacent structures. Properties without grass cut to acceptable height or with excessive accumulation of fuel deemed a fire hazard are subject to citation. Within the 30-foot zone, vegetation should be green, ornamental trees, grass, and shrubs only. The program is enforced jointly by the Kern County Fire Department, Cal Fire, and Kern County Code Enforcement. Code Compliance handles weed complaints in Bakersfield's urbanized areas; the Fire Department investigates outlying county areas.