National City, CA Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Numeric height limit
- None printed in Chapter 9.12
- Declared nuisance
- All weeds on streets, sidewalks or private property
- Who starts abatement
- Fire chief or his/her designee
- Criminal penalty
- Misdemeanor under Section 9.12.040
- Civil penalty ceiling
- Two thousand five hundred dollars per violation per day
Summary
In National City, all weeds growing on streets, sidewalks or private property are declared a public nuisance under Section 9.12.020. The chapter prints no height limit in inches or feet. It lists weed categories instead, including dry grass and brush that create a fire hazard in single and multiple residence zones, and the fire chief starts abatement.
All weeds growing or located upon streets, sidewalks or private property are declared to be a public nuisance. For purposes of this chapter, "weeds" shall include the following: A.Weeds which bear seeds of a downy or wingy nature;B.Sagebrush, chaparral, and any other brush or weeds which attain such large growth as to become, when dry, a fire menace to adjacent improved property;C.Weeds which are otherwise noxious or dangerous;D.Poison oak and poison ivy when the conditions of growth are such as to constitute a menace to the public health;E.Dry grass, stubble, brush, litter, or other flammable material which endangers the public safety by creating a fire hazard in a portion of the city which has been zoned for single and multiple residence purposes. ... The owner, occupant, or agent of any lot or premises within the city who permits or allows the existence of a public nuisance as defined in this chapter, upon any lot or premises owned, occupied, or controlled by said person, or who violates any of the provisions of this chapter, is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof is punishable as prescribed by Section 1.20.010.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 9.12 of the National City Municipal Code, titled Abatement of Weeds and Other Fire Hazards, treats overgrowth as a fire and public nuisance problem rather than a measured-height problem. Section 9.12.020 declares all weeds growing or located upon streets, sidewalks or private property to be a public nuisance and defines weeds as five categories: weeds bearing seeds of a downy or wingy nature; sagebrush, chaparral and other brush or weeds that reach such large growth as to become, when dry, a fire menace to adjacent improved property; weeds that are otherwise noxious or dangerous; poison oak and poison ivy when growth conditions constitute a menace to the public health; and dry grass, stubble, brush, litter or other flammable material that endangers public safety by creating a fire hazard in a portion of the city zoned for single and multiple residence purposes. Because the chapter prints no maximum height in inches or feet, the test is the category, not a ruler.
Enforcement starts with the fire chief or his/her designee. Under Section 9.12.030, when that determination is made for a lot, or for a sidewalk, parking area or street adjacent to the lot, an abatement notice can be issued to the responsible person under Section 1.36.030, and the procedures in Chapter 1.36 for abating public nuisances and recovering costs follow. Section 1.36.030 requires the notice to be headed "Notice to Abate Public Nuisance," describe the property, cite the relevant code sections, describe the action required with time frames, explain the consequences of noncompliance and identify all hearing and appeal rights.
The chapter reaches past weeds. Section 9.12.010 declares a public nuisance when the fire chief finds combustible, hazardous or explosive materials, dangerous accumulations of rubbish, or obstructions on fire escapes, stairs, passageways, doors or windows. Section 7.14.020 confirms that the litter chapter does not modify or supersede the weed abatement regulations in Chapter 9.12.
Violations & Fines
The owner, occupant or agent of a lot who permits a public nuisance under Chapter 9.12 is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable under Section 1.20.010 by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars, imprisonment not exceeding six months, or both (Section 9.12.040). Each day is a separate offense. Under Section 1.20.020 a court can assess up to two thousand five hundred dollars per violation per day in a civil action, and abatement costs can become a special assessment or lien under Section 1.20.030.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a maximum grass or weed height in National City?
Who orders weeds cleared in National City?
What happens if a National City owner ignores a weed abatement notice?
Do the weed rules cover the sidewalk in front of a lot?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in National City
How National City compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare National City to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Weed Ordinances in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Diego County handle weed ordinances.