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

Sutter County Code Section 600-250 (Ord. No. 1703, January 24, 2023) makes the weed-abatement procedure of Part 5, Division 12 of the California Health and Safety Code applicable throughout unincorporated Sutter County. Health and Safety Code Section 14875 defines abatable 'weeds' as vegetation growing on streets, sidewalks, or private property that (a) bears seeds of a downy or wingy nature, (b) is unpruned or neglected so it becomes a fire menace to adjacent improved property when dry, (c) is otherwise noxious or dangerous, (d) is poison oak or poison ivy menacing public health, or (e) is dry grass, stubble, brush, litter, or other flammable material endangering public safety in urbanized residential-zoned areas. Under Section 14890, the Board of Supervisors designates the officer who gives notice to destroy weeds (the agricultural commissioner, county forester, board of forestry, or another officer or board); in Sutter County the County Fire Services Manager exercises the clearing authority under county code Section 600-250. Following notice, owners must destroy the weeds, and if they fail, the county may abate and collect costs against the property.