Tracy, CA Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Abatement deadline after notice
- 20 days
- Rubbish/refuse accumulation limit
- 7 days
- Nuisance notice sent by
- certified mail from the Fire Chief
- Unpaid cost payment deadline
- 1 month after billing
- Unpaid balance outcome
- certified as County lien
Summary
Tracy declares weeds, rubbish, refuse and flammable material on any lot, vacant or improved, a public nuisance dangerous to public health and safety. The Fire Chief can order abatement within twenty days of certified notice, and an owner who misses the deadline gets billed for City-performed cleanup, with unpaid costs becoming a county lien.
4.12.250 - Definitions: (a) 'Weeds' shall mean weeds and wild grasses which, when mature, bear wingy or downy seeds, such as those commonly known as foxtails, tumbleweeds, devil thorn, horehound, and gourd vines, and other weeds and wild grasses which attain such a large growth as to become a fire menace when dry or which are otherwise noxious or dangerous. ... 4.12.260 - Weeds, rubbish, refuse, and flammable materials public nuisances: It is hereby found and expressly declared that the existence of weeds, rubbish, refuse, and flammable material in, upon, or in front of any vacant lot or other property on any street, parkway, sidewalk, or alley in the City is a public nuisance and dangerous to the public health and safety of the inhabitants of the City.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 69).
Full Breakdown
12 is Tracy's citywide weed-abatement ordinance. 250 defines 'weeds' functionally rather than by a height number: any weeds or wild grasses that bear wingy or downy seeds when mature, such as foxtails, tumbleweeds, devil thorn, horehound and gourd vines, or that otherwise grow large enough to become a fire menace when dry or are noxious or dangerous. 260 declares that weeds, rubbish, refuse and flammable material on or in front of any vacant lot or other property, meaning improved lots are covered too, along with streets, parkways, sidewalks and alleys, is a public nuisance dangerous to public health and safety.
265, separately bars letting rubbish or refuse accumulate on any lot, improved or vacant, for more than seven days; Tracy police officers and City-Manager designees who have completed Powers of Arrest training may issue infraction or administrative citations directly for that violation. 280 describing the parcel by assessor map and tax account number and setting a Council hearing date; the owner has twenty days from the mailing date to abate. 290 and, if it overrules them, orders abatement. 340.
Violations & Fines
Failing to abate a weed, rubbish or flammable-material nuisance within the twenty-day window set by TMC § 4.12.280 lets the City perform the cleanup itself and bill the owner under § 4.12.300; unpaid assessments are certified to the County Tax Collector and Auditor and become a lien on the property under § 4.12.340. Refusing City representatives daylight entry to inspect or abate the nuisance is separately unlawful under § 4.12.310. Letting rubbish or refuse accumulate past seven days under § 4.12.265 can draw a direct infraction or administrative citation from a trained officer or City designee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Tracy set a maximum height for weeds on my property?
How long do I have to clear weeds after Tracy sends a nuisance notice?
What happens if I don't clear weeds after Tracy's deadline passes?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tracy
How Tracy compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Tracy to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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How other cities in San Joaquin County handle weed ordinances.