Pittsburg, CA Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Penalties
- Noxious weeds defined by CDFA and CA Food & Ag Code 5004
- Common local species:
- Common local species: yellow starthistle, puncturevine, broom, medusahead
- Enforcement Agency
- County Agricultural Commissioner enforces; city can abate as public nuisance
- Herbicide use must
- Herbicide use must follow DPR rules; avoid runoff to creeks and storm drains
- Manual removal and
- Manual removal and mowing before seed set are preferred control methods
Summary
Property owners in Pittsburg must control state-listed noxious weeds and invasive vegetation under the Contra Costa County Department of Agriculture program. Yellow starthistle, medusahead, puncturevine, and other Cal-IPC listed invasives can be abated as public nuisances alongside standard weed abatement.
5004. “Noxious weed” means any species of plant that is, or is liable to be, troublesome, aggressive, intrusive, detrimental, or destructive to agriculture, silviculture, or important native species, and difficult to control or eradicate, which the director, by regulation, designates to be a noxious weed. In determining whether or not a species shall be designated a noxious weed for the purposes of protecting silviculture or important native plant species, the director shall not make that designation if the designation will be detrimental to agriculture. (Amended by Stats. 1992, Ch. 556, Sec. 1.
Full Breakdown
Noxious weed control in Pittsburg combines state law (California Food and Agricultural Code 5004), the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) noxious weed list, Contra Costa County Agricultural Commissioner enforcement, and the city's weed abatement authority. CDFA rates noxious weeds A (eradication required), B (containment), C (widespread, local option), or Q (under evaluation). Common noxious species in east Contra Costa County include yellow starthistle, medusahead grass, artichoke thistle, Sahara mustard, puncturevine (goathead), and invasive broom species. Property owners must remove or treat these species when directed by the County Agricultural Commissioner or the city.
Pittsburg's weed abatement program, authorized under Gov Code 39560-39588 and H&S Code 14875, allows the city to declare overgrown weeds a public nuisance, serve notice to abate, and lien the property for cleanup costs if the owner fails to act. Herbicide applications must follow CA Department of Pesticide Regulation rules and BAAQMD drift restrictions; properties near creeks, the Delta, or storm drains must avoid runoff of treatment products. Manual removal, mowing before seed set, and planting competitive native species are encouraged. Reports of severe infestations can be made to Code Enforcement or the Contra Costa Agricultural Commissioner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I required to control puncturevine on my lot?
Can I spray herbicide on my whole lot to kill weeds?
Who maintains the noxious weed list?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pittsburg
How Pittsburg compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Pittsburg to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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Weed Ordinances in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Contra Costa County handle weed ordinances.