Los Angeles, CA Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- LAMC § 58.02
- Enforcing agency
- Bureau of Street Services
- First-offense fine
- $250 administrative fine
- Repeat-offense fine
- Up to $1,000 per parcel
- Legal classification
- Misdemeanor, LAMC § 11.00(m)
- Notice source
- LA Admin. Code § 22.325.1 B.
Summary
Los Angeles treats overgrown weeds and grass as a public nuisance under LAMC § 58.02. Once the Bureau of Street Services issues notice, owners who don't clear the growth face a misdemeanor charge and escalating administrative fines, and the City can abate the property itself and bill the owner.
A. The City Council finds that weeds (as defined in Article 2, Chapter 13, Part 2, Division 3 or Title 4, commencing at Section 39560 of the Government Code of the State of California), rubbish and other material dangerous or injurious to neighboring property or to the health or safety of residents of the vicinity constitute a public nuisance. B. Every owner of any parcel of land or premises who, after receiving notice as provided by Los Angeles Administrative Code Section 22.325.1 B., fails to abate a public nuisance thereon consisting of weeds, rubbish, or other material dangerous or injurious to neighboring property or to the health or welfare of residents of the vicinity by the date specified in the notice or the date upon which the City is authorized to abate the nuisance pursuant to Los Angeles Administrative Code Section 22.325.1, whichever date is later, is guilty of a misdemeanor pursuant to Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 11.00(m).
Full Breakdown
), rubbish and other material dangerous or injurious to neighboring property or to residents' health or safety constitute a public nuisance citywide. 00(m). ; failing to abate by the notice deadline (or the date the City is authorized to abate, whichever is later) makes the owner guilty of a misdemeanor. 04(b), even where one owner holds adjoining lots. 500. The ordinance was added by Ord. No. 160,171 (eff. 8/22/85) and the enforcement and fine-allocation provisions were amended by Ord. No. 186,722 (eff. 9/20/20).
Violations & Fines
A first violation of LAMC § 58.02 draws a $250 Administrative Fine under the general schedule in LAMC § 11.2.04(b); a second violation of the same provision is $500; a third or later violation is $1,000. An Administrative Hearing Officer can raise a fine up to that $1,000 cap under LAMC § 11.2.09(b). Because the underlying conduct is also a misdemeanor under LAMC § 11.00(m), the City can pursue criminal prosecution instead of, or alongside, the administrative fine, and BSS Investigators may arrest without a warrant for violations occurring in their presence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Los Angeles code set an exact height limit for weeds or grass?
Who enforces the Los Angeles weed nuisance law?
What happens if I ignore a weed abatement notice in LA?
Can the City clear my weeds and bill me?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Angeles
How Los Angeles compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Los Angeles to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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Weed Ordinances in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle weed ordinances.