Hawthorne, CA Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Grass height limit
- 6 inches on lawns, § 8.20.030(A)(12)(b)(i)
- Sidewalk weeds
- Must be removed "at once," § 8.14.020
- Notice to clean premises
- 5 days to comply, § 8.14.050
- Enforcement tools
- Misdemeanor, admin citation, or city lien
- Repeat violators
- Treble abatement costs, § 8.20.230
Summary
Hawthorne's nuisance code makes it unlawful to let lawn grass grow past six inches, or to leave hedges, weeds, and vegetation unmowed and untrimmed, declaring both conditions a prohibited public nuisance under Municipal Code § 8.20.030(A)(12), enforceable through the city's abatement and citation process.
The city council finds and declares that it is a public nuisance and unlawful for any person to allow, cause, create, maintain, or suffer, or permit others to maintain, real property or premises in the city in such a manner that: ... 12. Overgrown vegetation, including, but not limited to, any one of the following: ... b. Vegetation causing detriment to neighboring properties, or that is out of conformity with neighboring community standards to such an extent as to result in, or contribute to, a diminution of property values, including, but not limited to: i. Lawns with grass in excess of six inches in height.
Full Breakdown
030(A)(12) lists overgrown vegetation among the prohibited public nuisance conditions the city council has declared unlawful. Subsection (b)(i) specifically names "lawns with grass in excess of six inches in height," and (b)(ii) adds hedges, trees, lawns, plants, or other vegetation not maintained in a neat, orderly, and healthy manner from lack of mowing, grooming, trimming, pruning, fertilizing, watering, or replacement. The same paragraph also reaches vegetation likely to harbor rats or vermin, vegetation that creates a fire hazard, vegetation overhanging into a public alley, sidewalk, street, or right-of-way so as to obstruct people or vehicles, and tree branches within five feet of a rooftop that could give rodents roof access.
030. 050 giving the responsible party five days to clean the property before the city does the work and liens the cost. 070, with a right of appeal to a hearing officer.
Violations & Fines
A responsible person who lets grass exceed six inches, or otherwise allows overgrown vegetation to persist after a notice of abatement, is guilty of a misdemeanor under § 8.20.290, or may instead receive an administrative citation under Chapters 1.23A and 1.23B. The city may abate the nuisance itself and record a lien against the property for its costs, and under § 8.20.230, a second civil or criminal judgment against the same owner within two years can result in a court ordering treble the costs of abatement, per Government Code § 38773.7.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can my grass legally get in Hawthorne before it's a violation?
What if weeds are growing on the sidewalk strip in front of my house?
What happens if I ignore a Hawthorne weed abatement notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hawthorne
How Hawthorne compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Hawthorne to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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