Palm Springs, CA Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Right-of-way overgrowth
- Public nuisance under § 11.72.150
- General vegetation standard
- § 11.72.170(c)-(d)
- Numeric height limit
- None specified in city code
- Cure period
- At least 10 days after notice
- Maximum criminal penalty
- $1,000 fine / 6 months jail
Summary
Palm Springs treats overgrown weeds, shrubs, and plants as a public nuisance when they block a public right-of-way, harbor vermin, create a fire hazard, or hurt neighboring property values under Municipal Code Section 11.72.150 and Section 11.72.170. The code sets no numeric height, but requires vegetation on developed lots to stay trimmed and sight-clear.
Any trees, shrubbery or plants permitted to grow out into, over or in the public right-of-way where pedestrian or vehicular traffic is impaired, or when vehicle operators cannot clearly observe safety signs and lights, constitutes a safety hazard, and are a public nuisance. ... Property on which overgrown, dead, diseased, or decayed trees, weeds or other vegetation that are likely to harbor rats, pigeons, vermin, and other nuisances, or constitute a fire hazard or other condition that is dangerous to, or otherwise poses a risk of harm to the public health, safety, or welfare, or constitutes visual blight or reduces the aesthetic appearance of the neighborhood or is offensive to the senses or is detrimental to the use and enjoyment of nearby properties or reduces nearby property values is a public nuisance.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4923139; v14 updated 2026-06-24).
Full Breakdown
150 declares trees, shrubbery, or plants growing into, over, or in the public right-of-way a safety hazard and public nuisance when they impair pedestrian or vehicular traffic or block a driver's view of safety signs and lights. 170(c) separately declares a nuisance any property where overgrown, dead, diseased, or decayed trees, weeds, or vegetation are likely to harbor rats, pigeons, or vermin, create a fire hazard, pose a health or safety risk, constitute visual blight, or reduce neighboring property values. 170(b) requires lawns to be watered and trimmed to a uniform height, ground covers kept healthy, shrubs and trees pruned for adequate pedestrian and vehicle clearance, and any bare-earth or gravel landscaping kept free of weed growth.
170(d) further makes a "substantial lack of maintenance" of grounds visible from a public right-of-way or neighboring property its own nuisance category. 72 process as other nuisances: an enforcement officer may inspect, the director may issue a Notice of Violation with a cure period of at least ten days, and unresolved conditions may be abated by the city with costs billed to the property owner.
Violations & Fines
A property owner who fails to correct a cited weed or vegetation nuisance after notice can have the city abate it directly and bill back all inspection, abatement, and legal costs (Sections 11.72.235, 11.72.250), and the responsible party is separately guilty of a misdemeanor under Section 11.72.275, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to six months in jail, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Palm Springs set a maximum weed or grass height?
Can overgrown weeds get me cited in Palm Springs?
What happens if I don't cut back overgrown plants after a notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Springs
How Palm Springs compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Palm Springs to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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