Redding, CA Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Defensible Space Law
- PRC §4291 (100 ft, Zones 0-2)
- FHSZ Maps
- PRC §§4201-4204 (Cal Fire)
- Annual Grass Std.
- Mow to ~4 in. (Cal Fire)
- Local Partner
- Shasta County Fire Safe Council
- Pesticide Licensing
- FAC §§11401+ (CDPR)
Summary
Weed control in Redding is driven first and foremost by California fire law. Public Resources Code §4291 requires 100 feet of defensible space around any structure in or adjacent to a State Responsibility Area, with annual grasses mowed to about 4 inches. Redding lies within and adjacent to mapped Moderate, High, and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (Cal Fire FHSZ maps, PRC §§4201-4204). The Shasta County Fire Safe Council and Redding Fire Department coordinate annual weed-abatement outreach and enforcement.
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.
Full Breakdown
Weed abatement in Redding is enforced under a combined state-and-local framework. California Public Resources Code §4291 requires every person who owns, leases, controls, or maintains a structure within or adjacent to a State Responsibility Area or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone to maintain 100 feet of defensible space, divided since AB 3074 (2020) into Zone 0 (0-5 ft, ember-resistant), Zone 1 (5-30 ft, lean/clean/green), and Zone 2 (30-100 ft, reduced fuel). Cal Fire guidance translates this into mowing annual grasses to about 4 inches and breaking up horizontal/vertical fuel continuity between shrubs and tree canopies.
Cal Fire maps adopted under PRC §§4201-4204 designate large portions of Shasta County and the Redding wildland-urban interface as Moderate, High, or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, and Redding has been actively updating its local LRA maps. The Shasta County Fire Safe Council and Redding Fire Department coordinate annual outreach and inspections, with Cal Fire LE-100 inspection authority on SRA parcels. 7. Application of pesticides for hire requires licensure under the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (FAC §§11401-12408).
Violations & Fines
PRC §4291 violations are enforced by Cal Fire LE-100 with progressive penalties for failure to maintain 100 ft of defensible space; uncorrected violations can result in fines and, in severe cases, misdemeanor charges. City Code Enforcement nuisance citations carry administrative penalties (typically $100/$200/$500 escalation) plus City-performed abatement costs recovered as a lien under Government Code §38773.5. Unlicensed commercial pesticide application violates California Food and Agricultural Code §§11401+ with Department of Pesticide Regulation civil penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Redding in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone?
How much defensible space does my Redding property need?
Who inspects for weeds and brush in Redding?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Redding
How Redding compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Redding to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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