Sunnyvale, CA Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

010 prohibits weeds on "any building, lot or premises within the city," extending to public sidewalks, streets and alleys between the property and the street centerline. The chapter defines "weeds" broadly to include growth bearing "seeds of a downy or wingy nature," indigenous grasses that become "a fire menace to adjacent improved property" when dry, other noxious or dangerous weeds, poison oak or poison ivy that threatens public health, and accumulations of garden refuse, cuttings and combustible trash. 020 authorizes the city council to pass a resolution declaring the growth a public nuisance and directing the director of community development to give notice; that notice must be published once in a newspaper of general circulation at least ten days before a hearing on any owner objections.

050 lets the director of community development or an authorized contractor enter the property and abate the nuisance "by cutting, disking, chemical spraying or any other method" the council selects, though the owner keeps the right to remove the weeds first at his own expense. 080 require the director to file an itemized cost report with the city council, publish notice of a confirmation hearing, and let owners contest the assessment before it is confirmed by resolution. 090 directs the finance director to place the assessment on the city's tax roll, where it is collected together with, and subject to the same penalties and interest as, general municipal taxes.