San Bernardino, CA Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing source
- County Weed Abatement Code, adopted by reference
- Local enforcer
- Code Enforcement Division Manager
- 1st offense fine
- $50 to $100
- 3rd+ offense penalty
- Up to $1,000 or 6 months jail
- Adopted
- Ord. MC-1445, 5-15-2017
Summary
San Bernardino enforces weed and vegetation fire-hazard abatement by adopting the San Bernardino County Weed Abatement Code by reference under Municipal Code § 8.19.010. City Code Enforcement, standing in for the County Fire Chief/Fire Warden, can cite property owners, with penalties reaching a $1,000 fine or six months in jail for repeat offenses.
Chapter 3 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the San Bernardino County Code, entitled “Abatement of Fire Hazards and Hazardous Trees” (§§ 23.0301 through 23.0319) (“County Weed Abatement Code”), is adopted by reference under the authority of Cal. Gov't Code, §§ 50020 to 50022.9. ... (a) A first offense shall constitute an infraction offense and punished by a base fine not exceeding $100 and not less than $50. (b) A second offense within one year shall constitute an infraction offense and punished by a base fine not exceeding $200 and not less than $100. (c) The third and any additional offense within one year shall constitute either an infraction or a misdemeanor offense, and if it is an infraction offense, shall be punishable by a base fine not exceeding $500, or if a misdemeanor offense, punishable by up to six months in jail, and/or base fine not exceeding $1,000.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-2: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. MC-1666, passed 8-5-2026).
Full Breakdown
19, added by Ord. 0319), titled "Abatement of Fire Hazards and Hazardous Trees," as the city's own weed and vegetation abatement standard, under the authority of Cal. 9. 020 clarifies that wherever the adopted county code refers to "county" or the "unincorporated area," that language means the City of San Bernardino for enforcement purposes here. 030 amends the county text so that, alongside the County Fire Chief/Fire Warden, the City of San Bernardino Code Enforcement Division Manager and their designees are authorized to enforce the fire-hazard and hazardous-tree abatement duties within city limits.
040 lays out escalating penalties: a first offense is an infraction with a base fine of $50 to $100; a second offense within a year is an infraction with a base fine of $100 to $200; a third or further offense within a year can be charged as an infraction (up to a $500 base fine) or a misdemeanor (up to six months in jail and/or a $1,000 base fine). 4.
Violations & Fines
Under § 8.19.040(E), a first offense is an infraction punishable by a base fine of $50 to $100; a second offense within one year carries a $100 to $200 base fine; a third or additional offense within a year may be an infraction (up to $500) or a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in county jail and/or a $1,000 base fine, with any first or second offense also eligible to be charged directly as a misdemeanor at the city's discretion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does San Bernardino have its own weed height ordinance?
Who enforces weed abatement inside San Bernardino city limits?
What is the fine for a weed abatement violation in San Bernardino?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Bernardino
How San Bernardino compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare San Bernardino to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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Weed Ordinances in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle weed ordinances.