Modesto prohibits allowing weeds, overgrown grass, or neglected vegetation visible from public rights-of-way. Lawns exceeding 12 inches in height and weed-infested or decayed plants constitute a codified nuisance under the Property Maintenance Code.
Modesto Municipal Code Title 9, Chapter 9, Article 5, Section 9-9.509 declares it unlawful for any responsible party to maintain property with weeds, dead or overgrown vegetation, or debris that constitutes visual blight. A lawn or grass area is deemed overgrown when any part exceeds 12 inches in height. Vegetation that is dead, diseased, weed-infested, or debris-laden also violates the code. Code Enforcement (Police Dept.) enforces these provisions and issues notices of violation. Administrative citations escalate from $100 (first offense) to $250 (second) and $500 (third). Civil penalties of up to $2,500 per violation per day may apply for persistent noncompliance.
Administrative citations: $100 first offense, $250 second, $500 third. Ongoing violations may incur civil penalties up to $2,500 per day.
Modesto, CA
Modesto's noise ordinance (MMC Title 4, Ch. 9) bans 'loud and raucous noise' citywide, including from industrial operations. Certain continuous industrial ac...
Modesto, CA
Modesto enforces a 72-hour street-parking limit citywide under MMC Title 3, Chapter 2, Article 10. Designated residential areas also operate Residential Park...
Modesto, CA
Modesto Municipal Code Title 5, Chapter 4 permits backyard hens in R-1 residential zones. Up to 12 hens are allowed; roosters are prohibited. Coop placement ...
Modesto, CA
Modesto has one of the lowest pet limits in California, allowing a maximum of two dogs or cats per household under MMC Title 5, Chapter 4. Animal hoarding is...
Modesto, CA
Modesto sits on the Central Valley floor outside CAL FIRE's State Responsibility Area and is not mapped as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, so the wild...
Modesto, CA
Modesto does not regulate year-round residential lawn ornaments (statues, gnomes, flamingos, religious figures, sports themes) by size, quantity, or content....
See how Modesto's weed ordinances rules stack up against other locations.
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