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

64 does not set a bright-line height in inches; instead it targets any weeds, dry grasses, dead shrubs or dead trees that bear wingy or downy seeds or that, by size, growth pattern or location, create a fire hazard (Sec. 010(a)). Useful cultivated grasses and pasture are exempt unless the City Manager determines a firebreak is needed to protect adjacent improved property (Sec. 010(b)). When the City Manager finds a nuisance on a lot, sidewalk or adjacent street area, a written "NOTICE TO CLEAN PREMISES" is issued describing the violation and citing the chapter and section (Sec.

040), served by personal service, mail to the owner's last assessment-roll address, or posting plus two consecutive weeks of newspaper publication (Sec. 050). The property owner or occupant then has 21 days from notice to remove weeds and grasses, or 10 days to remove waste matter such as rubble, crates or vehicle parts (Sec. 070(a)-(b)). An owner may appeal to the City Council in writing within 10 days of notice; if the appeal fails, removal is still due within 10 days of the Council's decision (Sec.

070(c)). If the owner does not comply, the City Engineer arranges abatement by City crews or a contractor, and the cost is reported to the City Council at a public hearing before the County Auditor places it as a lien on the property's tax roll under Government Code Sections 39580-39586 (Sec. 120). An owner may pay the assessed cost any time before the Council hearing to avoid the lien process (Sec. 110).