El Dorado County, CA Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Code Chapter
- Title 8, Ch. 8.09 (Veg. Mgmt. & Defensible Space)
- Current Ordinance
- Ord. 5186 (eff. Aug. 16, 2024)
- Annual Notice Date
- On or before Feb. 15
- Abatement Deadline
- June 1
- Cost Recovery
- Lien collected with property taxes
- Enforcement Officials
- Fire chiefs, CAO/designee (§ 8.09.080)
Summary
All weeds, grasses, hazardous vegetation, and combustible materials on improved and designated unimproved parcels in unincorporated El Dorado County are declared a public nuisance under Chapter 8.09 and must be abated by June 1 each year.
A person shall not dump, nor permit the dumping of weeds, grasses, hazardous vegetation, refuse, or other combustible material, nor shall a person permit the accumulation of weeds, grasses, hazardous vegetation, refuse, or other combustible material on that person's property or on any other property so as to constitute a fire hazard. It shall be the duty of every owner, occupant, and person in control of any parcel of land or interest therein, which is located within the County to remove, or abate, all hazardous vegetation and combustible material, which constitutes a fire hazard which may endanger or damage neighboring property. The owner, lessee or occupant of buildings, grounds, or lots within the County shall remove from such property and adjacent streets all waste, garbage, rubbish, weeds, hazardous vegetation or other combustible materials growing or accumulated thereon in accordance with the procedures and methods prescribed in this Ordinance and by the enforcement official.
Full Breakdown
09 (Vegetation Management and Defensible Space) was adopted by Ordinance 5101 in 2019 and amended by Ordinance 5186 (effective August 16, 2024). 070 imposes the abatement duty on every owner, occupant, and person in control of any parcel. The County's legal authority is grounded in Cal. Health & Safety Code §§ 14875-14931, Cal. Public Resources Code § 4291, Cal. Gov. 5, and the California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9). On or before February 15 each year the enforcement official mails written notice to property owners requiring abatement by June 1.
Home Owners Associations, Lighting & Landscape Districts, and similar entities with approved Wildland Fire Safe Plans receive up to 5 years to comply. The Ordinance specifies that it 'creates minimum rules for vegetation management in the County. '
Violations & Fines
Section 8.09.110 enforcement procedure: written notice on or before February 15; abatement required by June 1. If not abated, the enforcement official issues a Hazard Abatement Notice (15-day appeal window under § 8.09.120). After hearing and final decision, the parcel shall be abated within 7 days; if not, the County may abate the nuisance and the costs may be made a legal charge against the owner, a lien recorded against the property, and referred to the County Auditor for collection together with property taxes. The enforcement official may also commence a 'meet and confer' process (§ 8.09.100) as an alternative. The notice must include a description of the property, a statement of the violation, and the title 'Notice to Remove Weeds, Grass, Hazardous Vegetation, Waste and/or Other Combustible Materials' in letters not less than one inch in height when posted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who enforces weed abatement in unincorporated El Dorado County?
Can I appeal a Notice and Order to Abate?
Does the County notify buyers about the ordinance during a sale?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in El Dorado County
How El Dorado County compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare El Dorado County to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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