Santa Clara weed abatement rules treat grass or weeds exceeding about 6 inches on residential property as a public nuisance subject to abatement and lien.
Santa Clara City Code treats tall dry grass, weeds, and rank vegetation as a fire and health nuisance that may be abated by the city or by Santa Clara County Fire in fire-prone areas. Property owners are expected to maintain front and side yard lawns and vacant lots so that grasses do not exceed roughly 6 inches in height, with additional cutting required near structures and property lines. The county runs an annual weed abatement program each spring; properties receive an abatement notice and a hearing opportunity before any forced abatement. Costs for forced abatement are recovered through a special assessment lien recorded against the parcel. Native grass and drought-tolerant landscapes are not targeted as long as they are actively maintained and not a fire hazard.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Santa Clara, CA
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Santa Clara County.
See how other cities in Santa Clara County handle grass height limits.
See how Santa Clara's grass height limits rules stack up against other locations.
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