Santa Ana, CA Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Max height
- 6 inches above grade
- Enforcing agency
- Public Works Agency
- Removal window
- 7 days after posted notice
- Hearing notice
- Mailed 20+ days before hearing
- Cost recovery
- Special assessment lien on tax roll
Summary
Santa Ana caps weeds, grass, rank growth, and brush at six inches above grade on any lot or private premises. The Public Works Agency posts removal notices, and if the growth isn't cut within the notice period the city can abate it and put the cost on your property tax bill.
Sec. 16-48. - Noxious growths, rubbish, garbage prohibited; prima facie evidence. No person owning, managing or having control or charge or occupancy of any lot or private premises, shall: (1)Allow noxious growths or growths otherwise dangerous to the life, health, comfort or convenience of the community, to grow or remain upon such lot or private premises; ... (3)Suffer or permit any weeds, grass, rank growth or brush to grow or exist in excess of six inches (6″) above the grade in the area of growth; (4)Cause or permit rubbish or garbage to be placed or to exist upon such lot or private property.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 32).
Full Breakdown
Santa Ana Municipal Code § 16-48, part of the city's "Garbage, Rubbish and Weed Control Ordinance" (Ch. 16, Art. III), bars any owner, manager, or occupant from allowing weeds, grass, rank growth, or brush to exceed six inches above grade anywhere on a lot or private premises, and separately bars "noxious growth": vegetation with wingy or downy seeds, growth tall enough to become a fire menace when dry, or growth containing poisonous oils dangerous to health. The city public works director enforces the six-inch limit by posting a written notice on the property requiring removal within seven days, with one notice per parcel (more on wide-frontage lots) plus a mailed notice at least 20 days before any hearing.
A property owner may file written objections with the Clerk of the Council before the hearing date; the council then hears and either allows or overrules the objection under § 16-51. If the growth isn't cleared, the public works director can send the city's abatement crew or a contractor onto the property, and § 16-55 lets the council set a standard administrative fee on top of the direct abatement cost, plus an added charge if the same parcel needs more than one notice within twelve months.
Violations & Fines
Unabated growth becomes a special assessment lien against the parcel under § 16-57, filed with the county auditor and collected with the regular property tax bill; if delinquent, it's subject to the same penalties and foreclosure procedures as unpaid municipal taxes (§ 16-58). Section 16-60 separately declares any violation a public nuisance abatable under state civil code and code of civil procedure remedies, "in addition to any other remedy provided in this article or by state law, including section 372 of the penal code of the state." Erroneous assessments can be corrected or refunded on a written claim filed with the Clerk of the Council within specified deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can grass or weeds get before Santa Ana can cite me?
What happens if I don't cut the weeds after a notice is posted?
Can I appeal a weed abatement notice in Santa Ana?
Who ultimately pays if I ignore the notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Ana
How Santa Ana compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Ana to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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