Contra Costa County, CA Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Authorizing Ordinance
- Contra Costa Co. Ord. 2023-07
- State Law
- Cal. Health & Safety Code Div. 12, Part 5
- Roadway Clearance
- 10 ft horizontal, 15 ft vertical
- Defensible Space (SRA)
- 100 ft per PRC § 4291
- 2026 Deadlines
- May 15 (East) / June 1 (Central & West)
Summary
Under Contra Costa County Ordinance 2023-07 and Cal. Health & Safety Code Div. 12, Part 5, property owners must clear dry grass, weeds, brush, tree litter, and other flammable vegetation each year before the Con Fire abatement deadline.
The requirement to abate hazardous vegetation and combustible materials from parcels stems from California Health and Safety Code, Division 12, Part 5, and from Contra Costa County Ordinance 2023-07. 'Weeds' means all wild plants growing on streets or private property including dry grass, tree litter, litter, or other flammable materials that are capable of being ignited and endangering public safety. Property owners must maintain a minimum 10-foot-wide strip of land beyond the shoulder of a roadway serving as primary ingress and egress to the parcel, to a height of 15 feet along the boundary of a parcel.
Full Breakdown
The county-wide annual exterior hazard (weed) abatement program is authorized by Contra Costa County Ordinance 2023-07 (adopted by the Board of Supervisors) and by California Health and Safety Code Division 12, Part 5 (§§ 14875 et seq.). The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) defines 'weeds' as all wild plants growing on streets or private property, including dry grass, tree litter, and other flammable materials capable of being ignited and endangering public safety. In addition to the 18-inch height limit, owners must maintain a 10-foot-wide horizontal clearance and 15-foot vertical clearance from the shoulder of any roadway serving as primary ingress/egress to the parcel. State law (Public Resources Code § 4291) also requires 100 feet of defensible space around structures in State Responsibility Areas, including the unincorporated wildland-urban interface in Contra Costa County.
Violations & Fines
Properties not in compliance by the deadline are subject to forced abatement by the Fire District at the owner's cost, plus an administrative fee. Costs become a special assessment / lien on the parcel and are collected with property taxes. Repeat violators may be cited under § 720-2 and Health & Safety Code § 14930.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a 'weed' for abatement purposes?
Do I have to clear 100 feet around my house?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Contra Costa County
How Contra Costa County compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Contra Costa County to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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