San Diego County requires property owners in unincorporated areas to maintain vegetation and prevent weed growth that creates fire hazards or nuisances. The County issues annual weed abatement notices. Vegetation must be cut to no more than 6 inches above ground in defensible space zones.
The County requires property owners to keep their land free of fire hazards including certain vegetation types, green waste, and rubbish. In defensible space zones, plants must be thinned and cut back to no more than 6 inches above the ground. This may need to be done several times per year as vegetation regrows. Combustible vegetation can be removed by mowing, cutting, and grazing as long as root structures are left intact. The County issues annual weed abatement notices reminding property owners of clearance requirements. Properties that create fire hazards or harbor vermin may also be cited under general nuisance provisions. Code Compliance and the County Fire Authority inspect properties for compliance.
Failure to abate weeds may result in citations, fines, and forced abatement at the property owner's expense with costs added to the property tax bill.
San Diego County, CA
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in San Diego County.
See how other cities in San Diego County handle weed ordinances.
See how Fallbrook's weed ordinances rules stack up against other locations.
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