San Marcos, CA Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

The City of San Marcos enforces weed abatement as both a property maintenance and fire safety measure. Property owners must prevent weeds from growing to nuisance heights (generally exceeding 12 inches) and must clear dried vegetation that poses a fire risk. The San Marcos Fire Department and Code Enforcement division work together on annual weed abatement efforts, particularly targeting properties in the wildland-urban interface areas in the eastern hills of the city. The city may declare specific parcels a public nuisance and issue notices to abate, typically requiring clearance within 10 to 30 days. Properties adjacent to open space, hillsides, and brush areas face heightened scrutiny. Chemical weed control must comply with applicable pesticide regulations. Organic methods such as mowing, disking, and hand clearing are preferred in sensitive environmental areas. The city may contract for abatement work on non-compliant properties, with costs assessed to the property owner and recoverable through property tax liens. The San Diego County assessor records these liens. Code Enforcement handles weed complaints at (760) 744-1050 x3234.