Santa Monica Weed Ordinances Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

Santa Monica addresses property maintenance through SMMC Chapter 4.08 (Nuisances) and Chapter 8.08 (Property Maintenance). Property owners and tenants are responsible for maintaining their properties, including front yards, side yards, rear yards, and parkway areas (the strip between the sidewalk and curb), in a clean, safe, and orderly condition. Overgrown weeds, dead vegetation, accumulated debris, and unmaintained landscaping that creates fire hazards, attracts rodents or vermin, or constitutes a visual blight may be declared a public nuisance.

Santa Monica is a leader in water conservation and encourages drought-tolerant and California-native landscaping. The City's Water Conservation Ordinance restricts wasteful irrigation practices including watering during rain, allowing runoff onto sidewalks, and watering during the heat of the day. However, even drought-tolerant landscapes must be maintained in a neat appearance without excessive dead growth or weed infestation. The City's Code Enforcement Division responds to complaints about unmaintained properties and issues notices of violation with a compliance period. If the owner fails to abate the nuisance, the City may perform the work and place a lien on the property for the cost.