Santa Barbara, CA Landscaping Rules: Grass Height Limits (2026)

Unlike many cities, Santa Barbara's published municipal code does not set a single citywide maximum lawn-grass height (such as a 6- or 12-inch limit) for typical residential yards. Where the City does regulate vegetation height, it is tied to wildfire risk. Under the Fire Prevention Bureau's High Fire Hazard Area Landscape Requirements (City Ordinance #5920, implementing Chapter 49 of the California Fire Code), properties in the foothill and coastal fire zones must maintain defensible space and clear flammable vegetation. The four-zone landscape concept limits ground covers nearest a structure (Zone 1, 0-30 feet) to plants 'not more than 12 inches in height,' with succulents and low-growing, irrigated material preferred. Annual grasses and weeds that cure and dry out are treated as fire fuel and must be removed within the required clearance distance. Outside the fire hazard area, overgrown grass and weeds are addressed as a general nuisance rather than by a measured height. Because flat statewide answers vary, residents should confirm whether their parcel falls inside the City's mapped high fire hazard area, which determines whether the 12-inch Zone 1 ground-cover guidance and defensible-space clearance apply.