Santa Clarita Grass Height Limits Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

Grass height and vegetation maintenance in Santa Clarita are primarily governed by fire hazard reduction requirements enforced by the LA County Fire Department and the LA County Agricultural Commissioner/Weights and Measures Department (ACWM). Given Santa Clarita's location in a high fire risk area with extensive wildland-urban interface, these standards are strictly enforced.

Dry grass and weeds must be cut or mowed to a height of 3 inches or less throughout the entire clearance area unless needed for soil stabilization. Cut material may generally be left on-site if cut into small pieces no more than 6 inches in length. Grass and other vegetation located more than 30 feet from a structure and less than 18 inches in height may be maintained where necessary to stabilize soil and prevent erosion.

Within the defensible space zones around structures (required to 100 feet or the property line), grass must be maintained at a maximum of 4 inches as specified under California Public Resources Code Section 4291. The County departments of Fire and ACWM jointly enforce these requirements. Properties receive annual inspections, and those found non-compliant receive a Notice of Violation with a deadline for clearance. If the property owner fails to complete the work, the County performs the clearance and charges the owner a fee, which may be placed as a lien on the property.