Kings County, CA Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Regulated material
- Weeds, grass, brush, debris
- Excluded
- Grain and grazing land
- Appeal window
- 15 days from notice
- Non-compliance cost
- Billed as property lien
Summary
County code bans accumulating dry grass, weeds, brush and other flammable waste on any unincorporated property, and lets the fire chief order it removed or clean it at the owner's expense.
It shall be unlawful for any owner or person in possession or control of any real property in the unincorporated area of the county to deposit, keep, accumulate or maintain upon such real property any flammable waste material in such a manner as to constitute a fire hazard to property in proximity thereto. ... "Flammable waste material" as used in this chapter includes dry grass, weeds, stubble, brush, rank growths, wood, leaves, wastepaper, boxes, shavings, rubbish, litter and other combustible substances but excluding vegetation on grain, grazing or forest land.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 13).
Full Breakdown
Article II of the fire prevention code prohibits any owner or person in control of unincorporated property from accumulating flammable waste material that creates a fire hazard to nearby property. 'Flammable waste material' is defined to include dry grass, weeds, stubble, brush, rank growths, wood, leaves and similar combustible debris, though vegetation on grain, grazing or forest land is excluded. The county fire chief can order cleanup by notice, and unremoved material is cleaned by the county with costs billed, and liened, against the property.
Violations & Fines
Failing to remove flammable waste after notice is a separate violation for each day it continues; the county may clean the property and assess the cost as a lien on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as flammable waste under Kings County's weed ordinance?
What happens if I don't clear weeds after notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kings County
How Kings County compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Kings County to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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