Upland, CA Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Bare-dirt cap
- 25% of front/side yard
- Named nuisance species
- foxtails, tumbleweeds, devil thorn
- Applies to
- sidewalks, vacant lots, all property
- Notice cure period
- 5 days
- State alternative
- Gov. Code § 39560 et seq.
Summary
Upland Municipal Code Section 8.12.020(D) doesn't set a numeric height limit, but it bans weeds as landscaping, caps bare-dirt front and side yard area at 25 percent, and separately declares foxtails, tumbleweeds and other wild grasses a public nuisance wherever they grow in the city, including sidewalks and vacant lots.
5. Weeds as landscaping or areas consisting only of dirt when that dirt area is more than 25 percent of any portion or area of a front or side yard viewable from the public right-of-way; 6. Weeds and wild grasses, ordinarily known as foxtails, tumbleweeds, devil thorn, hoarhound, gourd, vines, and other wild grasses and weeds in or upon any sidewalk, vacant lot or other property within the city is a public nuisance and dangerous to the health and safety of the inhabitants of this city.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4480959; v4 updated 2025-09-22).
Full Breakdown
' Item 4 requires all landscaping to be actively maintained through trimming, weeding, irrigating, fertilizing and mowing. 030, after which nonremoval is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $50 fine or 30 days in jail. 040 lets the city instead remove the weeds itself and bill the owner, recoverable in a lawsuit if unpaid within 30 days. ,' with the city manager acting as the 'superintendent' referenced in that state law.
Violations & Fines
Failing to remove weeds or wild grasses within five days of a superintendent-of-streets notice is a misdemeanor under Section 8.12.030, punishable by up to a $50 fine, up to 30 days in county jail, or both. The city may instead remove the weeds itself and bill the owner under Section 8.12.040, or use the state abatement procedure under Government Code Section 39560 et seq. as authorized by Section 8.12.180.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Upland set a maximum height for weeds?
Does the weed rule apply to vacant lots too?
How long do I have to clear weeds after notice?
Can the city remove weeds and bill me?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Upland
How Upland compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Upland to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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Weed Ordinances in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle weed ordinances.