Montebello, CA Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- MMC § 8.16.090(B)
- Covers
- Lot frontage, sidewalks, parkway strips
- Exception
- Reasonably maintained ornamental plants/lawns
- Notice method
- Owner per last equalized tax roll
- Civil penalty
- Up to $1,000 per violation/day
Summary
Montebello bars weeds or overgrown grass on the part of a lot visible from the public, on abutting sidewalks, or on the parkway, under Municipal Code Section 8.16.090(B), with an exception for reasonably maintained ornamental plants and lawns.
B.Sidewalk and Parkway. No person or entity, owning or having charge or control or occupancy of any lot or private premises, shall allow weeds or overgrown grass to accumulate or grow upon a portion of the lot that is visible and open to the public or on any abutting paved sidewalk area above its established grade or upon any part of the parkway area; provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to require the removal from the lot or the borders of any sidewalk of any ornamental plant, lawn, shrub or trees of reasonable growth, provided that the same are not, in the opinion of the city officer, obstructions to the free use of such sidewalk by pedestrians. ... D.The city manager or designee is authorized and empowered to notify the owner, or person shown as the owner upon the last equalized tax assessment roll, of any open or vacant private property, or the agent of such owner, or the person having control or occupancy of said property, to properly dispose of litter, weeds, overgrown grass, or graffiti located on such owner's property.
Full Breakdown
Section 8.16.090(B) of the Montebello Municipal Code prohibits any owner or person in charge of a lot or private premises from allowing weeds or overgrown grass to accumulate on a portion of the lot visible and open to the public, on any abutting paved sidewalk above its established grade, or on any part of the parkway area. The rule exempts ornamental plants, lawns, shrubs or trees of reasonable growth as long as a city officer does not find them to obstruct pedestrians' free use of the sidewalk.
Section 8.16.090(C) separately bars sweeping litter into gutters and requires owners to keep the sidewalk in front of their premises free of litter, weeds and graffiti. Under Section 8.16.090(D), the city manager or a designee can notify the owner of record, using the last equalized tax assessment roll, to properly dispose of weeds, overgrown grass or graffiti on the property. If the owner fails, neglects or refuses to comply within the time set in the notice, Section 8.16.090(E) authorizes the city to order the weeds cleared itself and to recover the cost through the abatement proceedings set out in the rest of Chapter 8.16.
Violations & Fines
An owner who ignores a weed-abatement notice under Section 8.16.090(D) faces city-ordered clearing of the growth and cost recovery, including administrative and legal fees, as a lien against the property under Sections 8.16.120 and 8.16.150, plus the citywide civil penalty of up to $1,000 per violation under Section 8.16.110 for each day the condition continues.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can my grass be in Montebello before it's a violation?
Does my landscaped lawn count as a violation?
How does Montebello notify me about overgrown weeds?
What happens if I don't clear cited weeds myself?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Montebello
How Montebello compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Montebello to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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