Santa Clara County, CA Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Santa Clara County runs a mandatory Weed Abatement Program for all unincorporated areas of the County to reduce wildfire risk from dry vegetation. Owners must prevent grass and weeds from exceeding 6 inches, keep roadways clear of overgrown vegetation (below 6 inches for 10 feet horizontally on each side), and protect structures by clearing flammable vegetation a minimum of 30 feet around any structure. The rules target dry, flammable grasses and weeds and do not apply to ornamental vegetation such as roses and hedges, though dead material must still be removed. The compliance deadline for unincorporated County areas is April 1. The County inspects parcels placed in the program; if an owner does not abate, the County can have the work done by a contractor and bill the owner. A published 2026 fee schedule includes an initial inspection fee of $296 and a non-compliant parcel (work order processing) fee of $953, plus contractor and administrative charges. A property generally must show three consecutive years of compliance to be removed from the program. The County's authority comes from California Health and Safety Code sections 14875 to 14922, which let the County inspect, order work, and recover costs for hazardous vegetation. This County program is distinct from, and works alongside, the state defensible-space mandate in Public Resources Code section 4291.