Stanislaus County, CA Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- Ch. 9.20 Weed Control
- Nuisance standard
- Fire menace or health/safety menace
- Applies to
- All zoning districts (ag exception 10+ acres)
- Compliance notice
- 7 days from fire chief's notice
- Objection window
- 7 days to board of supervisors
- "Weeds" defined by
- Health & Safety Code § 14875
Summary
Stanislaus County has no fixed inch limit for grass or weeds; instead Chapter 9.20 declares weeds and rank growth a public nuisance whenever they become a fire menace or a menace to health or safety, and the county fire warden can order removal within seven days.
All dirt, rubbish, weeds, or other rank growths located upon any buildings, grounds or lots with all zoning districts as described in Title 21 of this code, except A-2 (Exclusive Agricultural) with a minimum parcel designation of ten acres or greater which are designated as agriculture on the land-use element of the general plan as established by the board of supervisors, which constitute a fire menace, or which are otherwise a menace to health or safety, are declared to be a public nuisance and may be abated as provided in this chapter. ... "Weeds," as used in this chapter, means all weeds growing upon roads, streets, sidewalks, or private property as defined by Health and Safety Code, Section 14875.
Full Breakdown
20 (Weed Control) applies to all buildings, grounds, or lots in every zoning district except A-2 Exclusive Agricultural parcels of ten acres or more designated as agriculture on the general plan land-use element. 020 applies the same standard to grass and weeds encroaching on adjoining sidewalks, parkings, and half of the abutting street. 030(C) by cross-reference to Health and Safety Code § 14875, rather than setting its own inch threshold, so enforcement turns on the fire-menace/health-safety standard rather than a measured height. 070 make removal and ongoing maintenance an affirmative duty of the property owner.
090 requires the chief of the fire department to serve a seven-day notice identifying the parcel by assessor's tract, block, lot, and parcel number; an owner who disputes the fire chief's determination has seven days to file a written objection with the board of supervisors through the fire warden's office. If the board upholds the finding, the owner gets seven more days before the county proceeds to removal and cost recovery, which becomes a lien on the property under Health and Safety Code § 14930 and Government Code § 25845.
Violations & Fines
Failing to remove or maintain the property free of weeds, rank growth, or fire-hazard vegetation after the seven-day notice under § 9.20.090 lets the county fire warden abate the condition directly and bill the owner for the cost of removal. That cost becomes a lien on the parcel under Health and Safety Code § 14930 and Government Code § 25845, collected in the same manner as other county assessments. Owners who object without success get only seven additional days to comply before removal proceeds at their expense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Stanislaus County set a maximum grass or weed height?
Who enforces the county's weed abatement rule?
What happens if I ignore the seven-day notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Stanislaus County
How Stanislaus County compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Stanislaus County to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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