Madera, CA Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Max weed/grass height
- six inches (§ 3-15.01)
- Applies to
- any private property, improved or unimproved
- Also covers
- abutting street, alley, right-of-way
- Correction window before hearing
- at least 45 days
- Chapter violation
- misdemeanor (§ 3-15.10)
Summary
Madera defines weeds as any grass or plant growth exceeding six inches that isn't cultivated for food or ornamental use, and declares all weeds, dirt, rubbish and brush on private property or the abutting street, alley or right-of-way a public nuisance that must be removed.
WEEDS. All grasses, or noxious weeds as defined in the Cal. Food and Agriculture Code § 5004, or plant growth which exceeds six inches in height and is not regularly cultivated or maintained for foodstuffs or ornamental purposes which, when or if dry, create a fire hazard. ... (A) All weeds, dirt, rubbish, brush, and rank growth of any kind, on private property or in any street, alley, or public right-of-way in the city, shall constitute a public nuisance, and shall be removed from the property, buildings, grounds of lots and from the half-way point of the street, alley or any other public right-of-way on which the property abuts, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this chapter.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2024 S-50: Current through Ordinance 1010 C.S., passed 6-5-24).
Full Breakdown
01 defines WEEDS as all grasses, noxious weeds under Cal. Food and Agriculture Code § 5004, or any plant growth exceeding six inches in height that isn't regularly cultivated or maintained for food or ornamental purposes and creates a fire hazard when dry. The companion RANK GROWTH definition uses the same six-inch threshold, adding an offensive-odor trigger. 01's PROPERTY definition expressly covers residential parcels intended for dwelling use as well as vacant land, the six-inch standard applies citywide, not only to unimproved lots. 05(A) turns that height standard into an enforceable nuisance: all weeds, dirt, rubbish, brush and rank growth on private property, or in any adjoining street, alley or public right-of-way, are declared a public nuisance and must be removed from the property and from the halfway point of the abutting street, alley or right-of-way.
05 instead fix the height that triggers the violation for any property. 08, with at least 45 days to cut before a City Council hearing.
Violations & Fines
Causing, permitting or maintaining weeds over six inches on private property or the adjoining right-of-way is a misdemeanor under § 3-15.10. A second violation within one year doubles the administrative fee under § 3-15.09, and unpaid abatement costs become a lien on the property under § 3-15.08 with a 10% late penalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can my grass or weeds legally get in Madera?
Does the six-inch rule only apply to vacant land?
What happens after the city finds my weeds too tall?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Madera
How Madera compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Madera to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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