Mendocino County, CA Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Mendocino County's weed-abatement authority for unincorporated land is in Chapter 8.77, 'Hazardous Vegetation, Combustible Material, Rubbish, and Weeds,' adopted by Ordinance 4485 on February 23, 2021. The stated purpose is to remove hazardous vegetation, combustible material and rubbish to reduce fire risk. 'Hazardous Vegetation' includes seasonal and recurrent weeds, stubble, brush, dry leaves or needles, highly flammable plants, tumbleweeds and dead trees, but excludes actively managed rangeland, pastureland, forestland/TPZ, agricultural land and growing crops, except where they affect defensible space around homes, structures, rights-of-way, roads and utility lines. 'Weeds' specifically means neglected vegetation in the urbanized, residentially zoned portions of the unincorporated county that grows large enough to become a fire hazard to adjacent improved property when dry. Under Sec. 8.77.030, it is a public nuisance for an owner, lessee or occupant to maintain property in a condition contributing to such fire hazard, as determined by the County Building Official or designee. Corrective actions (Sec. 8.77.040) can include removing the vegetation/material and meeting defensible-space rules. The County may also work with the Mendocino County Fire Safe Council on fuel-reduction efforts in places like Brooktrails.