Lawns taller than six inches, or untrimmed grass encroaching more than two inches over sidewalks, are public nuisances under Rialto's property maintenance chapter. Vacant-lot weeds or dry grass over four inches are cited through the fire department's weed-abatement program.
RMC 18.72.010(D) declares inadequately maintained landscaping visible from a public street a nuisance, specifically including lawns growing in excess of six inches in height or encroaching more than two inches over sidewalks or other hardscape (18.72.010(D)(1)), untrimmed trees, hedges, or shrubs, and plants dying from lack of water or maintenance. Subsection (C) separately targets overgrown vegetation likely to harbor rats or other vermin and dead, decayed, or hazardous weeds that constitute a fire hazard. Code enforcement initiates abatement through the property maintenance hearing board (18.72.030 through 18.72.090), and unpaid abatement costs become a special assessment and lien on the parcel (18.72.140). On vacant lots, the Fire Prevention Division applies a four-inch standard for weeds and dry grass.
Maintaining a nuisance is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 and/or six months in jail; each day is a separate offense, and abatement costs are liened (RMC 18.72.160, 18.72.140).
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Rialto, CA
Rialto requires permits for walls taller than 42 inches and building permits for all masonry and retaining walls. Block walls get three city inspections, and...
Rialto, CA
Barbed wire and razor wire are prohibited in all Rialto residential zones, and no sharp points may top any fence under six feet. City design standards also r...
Rialto, CA
Rialto caps household pets at four weaned dogs and cats combined, and no more than three of them may be dogs. The limit appears in Rialto Municipal Code Sect...
Rialto, CA
Backyard fires in Rialto are legal only as contained cooking or warming fires burning clean fuels such as propane, natural gas, charcoal, or untreated wood. ...
Rialto, CA
Rialto requires home-based businesses to obtain both a Home Occupation Permit from the Planning Division and a city business license. Under Rialto Municipal ...
Rialto, CA
The Rialto Municipal Code's Title 9 (Public Peace, Safety and Morals) is the primary framework for nighttime curfew and related public-order rules; the publi...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in San Bernardino County.
See how other cities in San Bernardino County handle grass height limits.
See how Rialto's grass height limits rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.