Compton Weed Ordinances Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

Weed control in Compton operates through two complementary enforcement systems: the city's year-round nuisance abatement program under Municipal Code Chapter 9-4, and the annual weed abatement program administered by the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Both systems work to ensure that weeds, dead vegetation, and combustible plant materials do not accumulate on private property to the point where they create fire hazards, harbor vermin, or degrade neighborhood conditions.

The LA County Fire Department's annual weed abatement program is the primary mechanism for seasonal vegetation control. Each spring, the Fire Department inspects properties throughout the county, including those in Compton, and issues notices to property owners where excessive weed growth, dry grass, brush, or dead vegetation poses a fire hazard. These notices specify a compliance deadline, typically in late June or early July, by which the property must be cleared. The clearance standard requires that all weeds be cut to a maximum height of 3 inches and that all cuttings, dead vegetation, and combustible debris be removed from the property. Properties that are not cleared by the deadline are placed on a list for forced abatement by county-contracted crews.

When the county performs forced abatement, the costs — including contractor fees, inspection costs, and administrative overhead — are assessed against the property. If the owner does not pay the abatement invoice directly, the charges are placed as a special assessment on the property's annual property tax bill. These assessments accrue interest and penalties if not paid with the regular tax installment. For large vacant lots, forced abatement costs can exceed $2,000.

Separately from the annual county program, Compton's Code Enforcement Division enforces weed control year-round under the city's nuisance abatement ordinance. Weeds that exceed 12 inches in height at any time of year, or weeds of any height that create a hazardous or unsightly condition, may be cited as a public nuisance. This dual enforcement approach means that property owners in Compton face weed-related scrutiny from both city and county agencies throughout the entire year. Contact Compton Code Enforcement at (310) 605-5555 or the LA County Fire Department Forestry Division at (323) 881-2411 with questions about weed abatement requirements.