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

Imperial County's weed rule is Title 9, Division 18, 'Abatement of Weeds & Other Vegetation' (adopted November 24, 1998). Section 91801.00 defines weeds and other vegetation to include sagebrush, chaparral, or any other brush or weeds that grow so large as to become, when dry, a fire menace to adjacent improved property, and (per the Health and Safety Code) poison oak/ivy, seed-bearing downy or winged plants, vegetation that becomes a fire menace when dry, and anything otherwise noxious or dangerous. Section 91801.01 makes it unlawful for an owner or occupant to cause or allow premises to become overgrown and infested. Under §91802.01, weeds may be declared a public nuisance upon concurrence of any two of four officials: the Fire Marshal, the Planning Director, the Public Works Director, or the Agricultural Commissioner. The County Planning Director gives written 'Notice to Abate Weeds' by certified mail to the owner of record (§91802.04-§91802.05). Owners may appeal to the Board of Supervisors within the compliance period with a $125 filing fee (§91801.02). Seasonal and recurrent nuisances can be re-abated without a new hearing (§91802.07). If the owner does not act, the county may enter and remove the vegetation (§91802.09), and abatement cost becomes a special assessment and lien on the parcel under Health & Safety Code §14905 et seq. (§91801.04-§91801.05). State law (HSC §14875) supplies the underlying weed definition and §§14930-14931 authorize county abatement ordinances.