Port Hueneme Weed Ordinances Rules (2026): What You Need to Know
Some RestrictionsThe Short Version
Port Hueneme enforces weed abatement through its local nuisance code and in coordination with the Ventura County Fire Protection District's annual fire hazard reduction program. Property owners must clear fire-hazard weeds before the start of fire season, typically by June 1 each year. The city may contract weed removal on non-compliant properties and recover costs from the owner. Port Hueneme's coastal location means invasive weeds dry out quickly in summer, creating a real fire risk near the naval base and residential neighborhoods.
Full Breakdown
Port Hueneme's weed abatement program operates under both the city's local Municipal Code (Title 8, Chapter 8.24) and California Government Code Sections 39560 through 39588, which authorize municipalities to establish annual programs requiring property owners to clear fire-hazard vegetation. Each year, typically before June 1, property owners must ensure that dry, dead, and overgrown weeds are removed or cut to the ground on all portions of their parcels. The Ventura County Fire Protection District works in coordination with the city to identify non-compliant properties.
When a property is identified as non-compliant, the city issues a Notice and Order to Abate, giving the owner a window of 10 to 30 days to complete the clearance. If the owner fails to act, the city contracts with a vegetation management company to perform the work. The cost of abatement, plus an administrative surcharge of approximately 25 percent, is billed to the owner. Unpaid amounts are placed as a special assessment lien on the property through the Ventura County Tax Collector.
Port Hueneme's geography creates specific weed abatement concerns. The city sits along the coast adjacent to Naval Base Ventura County, and several neighborhoods border open areas and undeveloped parcels that can accumulate invasive species such as wild mustard, filaree, and non-native grasses. These weeds dry out quickly once the marine layer retreats in late spring, creating fuel that can carry fire through residential areas. The small geographic size of the city — roughly 4.5 square miles — means that an unabated parcel poses a direct risk to nearby homes.
Property owners, including those who own vacant lots, should not wait for a notice. Proactive clearance before the annual deadline avoids all fines and administrative costs. Owners of rental or investment properties who do not live locally should arrange for a landscape maintenance contractor to handle seasonal weed clearance.
What Happens If You Violate This?
Failure to clear weeds by the annual deadline may result in administrative penalties of $100 to $500. City-contracted abatement is billed at actual cost plus a 25 percent administrative surcharge. Unpaid abatement costs are recorded as a lien on the property through the Ventura County Tax Collector. Repeat violations in subsequent years may face escalating fines up to $1,000 per occurrence.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the weed clearance deadline in Port Hueneme?
Does the weed ordinance apply to vacant lots in Port Hueneme?
Can I just mow weeds down or do I need to remove them entirely?
Sources & Official References
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