Sacramento County Weed Ordinances Rules (2026) — What You Need to Know

Sacramento County enforces property maintenance and weed control through two parallel systems: the county code enforcement division under Section 16.18.401, and the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District's weed abatement program for fire hazard prevention.

Under the county nuisance code, several landscaping conditions constitute violations. These include: accumulation of weeds, trees, debris, or vegetation that is overgrown onto a public right-of-way by at least 12 inches, or vegetation that is completely dead, over 12 inches in height, and covers more than 50% of the front or side yard visible from any street. Property owners must also maintain irrigation systems in working order and replace overgrown, damaged, dead, diseased, or decaying plant materials that are likely to harbor vectors.

The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District operates a separate weed abatement program focused on fire safety. Their standard is more stringent: dead weeds must not exceed 2 inches in height after mowing, and mowing must be performed each time dead growth exceeds 6 inches. All combustible material produced by mowing must be removed from the property. The Fire District typically begins inspections in spring, and properties should be brought into compliance by April 15.

The enforcement process is progressive. Non-compliant properties are posted with a Notice to Abate Sign after a second inspection. The property owner receives a final notice with 7 days to abate the parcel. If still non-compliant at the final inspection, the county dispatches an abatement contractor to clear the property. The cost of abatement becomes a special assessment and lien against the property, collected in the same manner as county taxes.