San Bernardino County requires grass and weeds under 6 inches in maintained areas. In fire hazard zones, PRC 4291 mandates grass under 4 inches within 100 feet of structures.
San Bernardino County Code Chapter 23.12 (Weed Abatement) declares weeds, dry grass, and other combustible or hazardous vegetation to be a public nuisance and fire hazard. Property owners must maintain grass and weeds below 6 inches on maintained landscaped areas, and in fire hazard zones grass must be kept under 4 inches within 100 feet of any structure per Public Resources Code 4291. The county Fire Protection District and CAL FIRE conduct annual weed abatement inspections typically beginning in April or May, with property owners receiving a Notice to Abate giving 30 days to comply. Parcels in the Weed Abatement Program list are published annually in local newspapers. Desert properties in the High Desert (Victorville, Hesperia, Apple Valley) and dry valley areas are particularly monitored due to tumbleweed and dry grass fire risk. HOAs in master-planned communities often have stricter turf standards.
Non-compliance with weed abatement triggers county forced abatement with costs plus a 25 percent administrative fee billed to the owner as a tax lien. First citations start at 100 dollars, escalating to 500 dollars for repeat offenses. In fire zones, PRC 4291 citations apply.
See how San Bernardino County's grass height limits rules stack up against other locations.
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