Bakersfield, CA Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Program
- Annual Weed Abatement (Fire Dept)
- Code
- BMC Ch. 8.27
- WUI Defensible Space
- 100 ft under PRC §4291
- Cost Recovery
- Lien + tax assessment
- Max Fine
- $1,000 for repeat violations
Summary
Bakersfield's weed abatement program under BMC Chapter 8.27 declares dry grass, weeds, and combustible vegetation a fire hazard and public nuisance. Annual notices are issued in spring. Vacant lots and improved properties must be cleared or disced to create firebreaks. Non-compliant properties are abated by city contractors at owner expense.
5004. "Noxious weed" means any species of plant that is, or is liable to be, troublesome, aggressive, intrusive, detrimental, or destructive to agriculture, silviculture, or important native species, and difficult to control or eradicate, which the director, by regulation, designates to be a noxious weed. In determining whether or not a species shall be designated a noxious weed for the purposes of protecting silviculture or important native plant species, the director shall not make that designation if the designation will be detrimental to agriculture. (Amended by Stats. 1992, Ch. 556, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1993.)
Full Breakdown
Chapter 8.27 authorizes the Fire Chief to declare weeds, dry grass, rubbish, and combustible materials a public nuisance. Each year the City Council adopts a resolution declaring weed nuisances and directs the Fire Department to issue abatement notices. Owners receive mailed notice with a hearing date and compliance deadline. Acceptable abatement methods include mowing to under 4 inches, discing vacant lots, or cutting firebreaks around structures (typically 100 ft of defensible space in WUI zones under PRC §4291). Properties not abated by deadline are added to the city's contractor list, cleared, and all costs (labor, equipment, admin overhead of typically 30–50%) are assessed as a special assessment and collected with property taxes.
Violations & Fines
Costs of city abatement plus administrative fees are assessed as a property tax lien. Repeat offenders may face infraction or misdemeanor citations under BMC 8.80 with fines up to $1,000. Willful maintenance of hazardous vegetation in fire season can trigger additional fire code penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifies as a weed violation in Bakersfield?
Can I contest a weed abatement notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bakersfield
How Bakersfield compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Bakersfield to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Weed Ordinances in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Kern County handle weed ordinances.