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

County Code Chapter 13, Article VIII, adopted as Ordinance 3082 on March 26, 2019, establishes a comprehensive abatement program for hazardous vegetation and combustible materials in the unincorporated county, supplementing California Public Resources Code Section 4291. 'Hazardous vegetation' is defined as flammable vegetation that endangers public safety by creating a fire hazard, including seasonal and recurrent weeds, stubble, brush, dry leaves, tumbleweeds, and dead or severely damaged trees (Section 13-59.5); actively managed commercial crops are excluded. 'Combustible material' covers rubbish, litter, and other combustible material other than hazardous vegetation (Section 13-59.6). Owners must maintain a 30-foot defensible space around structures on improved parcels, with up to 100 feet required based on slope and fuel (Section 13-60.2), and clear vegetation and trim grass to under 6 inches in road/structure buffers on unimproved parcels (Section 13-60.3). The Lake County Fire Official - the Chief Building Official or a certified fire-prevention designee (Section 13-59.3) - directs the program with Code Enforcement, prioritizing informal resolution and voluntary compliance before formal action (Section 13-61.2).