Santa Monica requires property owners to maintain landscaping under SMMC Ch. 13.02 (Property Maintenance). Overgrown, dying, or dead vegetation is a violation. Landscaping must prevent blowing dust or erosion.
Under SMMC property maintenance requirements, premises must be maintained free of weeds. Dead or fallen branches, palm fronds, or similar vegetation must be promptly removed. Overgrown, dying, or dead vegetation on private property or parkway areas is a code violation. A determination that vegetation is dead or dying considers factors such as lack of proper watering/feeding, fire hazard creation, infestation, or failure to respond to remedial care. The City requires replacement of dead/dying vegetation and abatement. Maintaining property with inadequate landscaping or ground cover that allows blowing dust or erosion is also a violation.
Violations subject to administrative citations under SMMC Chapter 1.09. Each day is a separate violation. The City may pursue abatement under Chapter 13.06 (Nuisance Abatement).
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Santa Monica, CA
Backyard chickens are allowed in Santa Monica with restrictions. Roosters are prohibited in residential areas due to noise. Livestock keeping is restricted b...
Santa Monica, CA
Dogs must be on a leash in all public areas in Santa Monica. Off-leash dogs are only permitted in designated dog parks. The city enforces leash laws through ...
Santa Monica, CA
Santa Monica does not impose breed-specific legislation. All dogs must be licensed per CA Food & Ag Code §30500+. Dangerous dog determinations are based on i...
Santa Monica, CA
Feeding wildlife in Santa Monica public parks and beaches is discouraged. The city's property maintenance code addresses nuisance conditions from wildlife at...
Santa Monica, CA
Portable fire pits on private property in Santa Monica must comply with South Coast AQMD regulations. Burns are prohibited on spare-the-air days. Beach fires...
Santa Monica, CA
Properties in fire hazard zones near Santa Monica must maintain defensible space per CA PRC §4291. Santa Monica itself is largely urban/coastal with limited ...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Los Angeles County.
See how other cities in Los Angeles County handle grass height limits.
See how Santa Monica's grass height limits rules stack up against other locations.
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