Owners of vacant parcels in Fontana must remove weeds, rubbish, and fire hazards each year. The city may declare uncleared lots a public nuisance and abate them at the owner's cost with a lien.
With active warehousing, logistics, and development pressure, vacant lots are a significant concern in Fontana. The Municipal Code and adopted California Fire Code require owners to keep parcels free of weeds, dead vegetation, combustible debris, and accumulated trash, especially along the wildland-urban interface. Each spring the Fontana Fire Department and Code Enforcement publish a weed abatement schedule requiring owners to clear vegetation down to an approved height and to maintain 30 feet of defensible space around any structure. Owners also must secure vacant buildings against unauthorized entry and remove graffiti promptly. Failure to comply triggers a notice of violation, the opportunity for a hearing, and potential forced abatement with costs recorded as a lien against the property on the San Bernardino County tax roll. Habitual non-compliance can lead to civil penalties and misdemeanor prosecution.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Fontana, CA
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in San Bernardino County.
See how other cities in San Bernardino County handle vacant lot maintenance.
See how Fontana's vacant lot maintenance rules stack up against other locations.
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