San Bernardino County, CA Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing Code
- San Bernardino County Code Sections 23.0301-23.0319 (Fire Hazard Abatement)
- Firebreak Distance
- Clear flammable vegetation 30 ft around structures; fuel break 30-100 ft
- Grass/Weeds
- Grass over 4 inches and unpruned dead vegetation are fire hazards
- Tumbleweeds
- Russian thistle must be completely removed (firebreaks not allowed for it)
- Large Parcels
- 5+ acres may use a 40-ft cleared firebreak strip (Section 23.0303)
- Compliance Window
- Roughly 30 days after the Abatement Notice is mailed
Summary
San Bernardino County's weed abatement is handled through its Fire Hazard Abatement program under County Code Sections 23.0301 to 23.0319. Owners of unincorporated land must clear flammable weeds, grass over four inches, tumbleweeds, and combustible debris, and maintain defensible space around structures, or face a County abatement notice.
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 unincorporated San Bernardino County is implemented as fire-hazard abatement. County Code Section 23.0301 makes it the duty of every owner to abate all fire hazards from their land, declaring such hazards a public nuisance whose abatement cost may be specially assessed under Government Code Section 25845. The code defines flammable vegetation differently by region: in the Valley Area (Section 23.0302) it means plants not pruned of dead material, grass over four inches, and tumbleweeds (Russian thistle); in the Desert Area (Section 23.0305) it adds salt cedar limbs and tumbleweeds regardless of distance from structures; and in the Mountain Area (Section 23.0304) it includes pine needles or mulch over two inches deep and dead vegetation within 100 feet of structures.
Owners must maintain a firebreak by clearing flammable vegetation for at least 30 feet around buildings (Section 23.0301), and provide a fuel break from 30 to 100 feet. Combustible debris, junk, and tumbleweeds must be completely removed per the County's Violation Explanation guidance. For parcels with over five continuous acres of hazard vegetation, Section 23.0303 allows an alternative 40-foot-wide cleared firebreak strip, except for tumbleweeds. The County mails abatement notices and gives owners about 30 days to comply.
Violations & Fines
Property owners receive an Abatement Notice and are generally given 30 days to abate. Failure to comply may result in citations, administrative penalties, and County-contracted abatement, with the cost of abatement specially assessed against the property under Government Code Section 25845 and collected on the tax roll.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does San Bernardino County have a weed abatement ordinance?
What happens if I do not abate weeds after a notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Bernardino County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Bernardino County to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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