Beaumont, CA Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Parcels 5 acres or less
- Mow to 3 inch-high stubble or disk
- Parcels over 5 acres
- 3 inch stubble, or disk 100 foot perimeter swath plus crisscross
- Structure firebreak
- Not less than 30 feet around each structure
- Propane tank clearance
- At least 10 feet in all directions
- Enforcing officer
- Fire Chief or designee
- Misdemeanor first offense
- $1,000 fine, six months jail, or both
Summary
In the City of Beaumont, California, parcels of five acres or less must be mowed to a three inch-high stubble or disked. Larger parcels get the same stubble rule or a disked perimeter swath 100 feet wide plus a 100 foot crisscross. The Fire Chief enforces it under Municipal Code § 8.08.015.
Property owners and occupiers of real property in the City shall maintain their property to eliminate fire hazards. ... F.Parcels of five acres or less in size shall be mowed to a three inch-high stubble, or disked provided that such disking does not create fugitive dust emissions in violation of state air quality rules and that the owner takes all steps necessary to control fugitive dust emissions;G.Parcels larger than five acres in size shall be mowed to a three inch-high stubble, or disked around the perimeter of the parcel in a swath 100 feet wide and with a 100 foot wide "crisscross" through the center of the parcel provided that such disking does not create fugitive dust emissions in violation of state air quality rules and that the owner takes all steps necessary to control fugitive dust emissions. The Fire Chief is authorized to impose such additional requirements as may be necessary in order to ensure the abatement of an existing or potential fire hazard.
Full Breakdown
Beaumont's weed rule sits in Chapter 8.08 of the Municipal Code and is written as a fire-hazard standard for every owner and occupier of real property in the City of Beaumont, California, whether they act on their own or wait for an order from the Fire Chief. Section 8.08.015(F) sets the number: a parcel of five acres or less is mowed to a three inch-high stubble, or disked. Section 8.08.015(G) handles bigger ground. A parcel larger than five acres is mowed to the same three inch stubble, or disked around the perimeter in a swath 100 feet wide with a 100 foot wide crisscross through the center. Disking only counts if it does not create fugitive dust in violation of state air quality rules and the owner takes every step needed to control that dust.
The chapter adds firebreak duties. Section 8.08.015(A) requires removing flammable waste, wood piles and growth around each structure for not less than 30 feet, and (B) requires at least ten feet clear in all directions from liquefied propane tanks. Roofs must be kept free of leaves and needles, and dead or dying trees come down. The Fire Chief can impose additional requirements to abate an existing or potential hazard.
Process matters here. Under 8.08.030 the Fire Chief issues a notice headed NOTICE TO CLEAN PREMISES, in letters at least one inch tall. The owner has ten days from notification to remove the nuisance (8.08.060) and can appeal in writing to the City Clerk within ten days (8.08.050); the City Council hears the appeal between five and 20 days later and its decision is final. If the owner does nothing, City crews or a private contractor abate the weeds (8.08.070), and the cost becomes a lien assessed by Council resolution and collected on the county tax roll (8.08.090, 8.08.120). Under 8.08.026 the Fire Chief can skip notice and hearing entirely for an immediate threat.
Violations & Fines
Section 8.08.130 lets the Enforcement Officer issue an Administrative Citation under Chapter 1.17 or charge an infraction under Chapter 1.16, at the fine amounts in § 1.16.030 ($100 first, $200 second, $500 each additional within one year). A first offense can instead be charged as a misdemeanor with a $1,000 fine, six months in jail, or both. Each day is a separate offense under § 1.16.040.
Frequently Asked Questions
How short does grass have to be on a Beaumont lot?
Can I disk my lot instead of mowing it in Beaumont?
How long do I have to clean up after a Beaumont weed notice?
Who decides whether weeds are a fire hazard in Beaumont?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Beaumont
How Beaumont compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Beaumont to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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