Yuba City, CA Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Sec. 102 declares a public nuisance out of dead, decayed, or hazardous trees, weeds, grass, rubbish, and debris that could shelter rodents, insects, or other vermin, or that could become a fire or health hazard, on any lot or parcel of land in the City, including the adjoining public sidewalk, street, or alley. Rather than fixing a single number for grass or weed height, the ordinance regulates by clearance and hazard: dead vegetative growth or tree branches within 10 feet of a chimney outlet are a nuisance; weeds, rubbish, or debris within 36 inches of a fire hydrant are a nuisance; vegetation overhanging a public street at less than 14 feet of clearance, or a public sidewalk at less than eight feet, is a nuisance; and weeds capable of producing pollen injurious to residents' health, safety, comfort, or welfare are separately prohibited.

A catch-all provision also reaches 'any overgrown vegetation, including but not limited to bushes, shrubs, trees, lawns, weeds and flowers' that becomes a fire or health hazard through lack of maintenance, and trees or shrubs that damage a sidewalk, street, alley, or landscape median. It is the duty of the property owner, agent, or person in control of the land to destroy or remove the prohibited growth; the City treats the presence of any listed condition as grounds for the abatement and cost-recovery process set out in Article 5 of the same chapter, which starts with a written notice to the owner setting a reasonable correction deadline.