Vacant lots in San Joaquin County must be maintained free of weeds, trash, and fire hazards. Development Title §9-1030 requires weeds to be mowed at or below 12 inches from May through October and debris removed within 10 days of notice. Stockton's Weed Abatement Program (SMC §8.56) conducts annual inspections April through July with summary abatement on non-compliant lots, costs liened against property.
San Joaquin County Development Title §9-1030 (Nuisance) and Health & Safety Code §14875 et seq. (Weed Abatement Act) give the county and cities authority to require vacant lot maintenance and to abate at owner expense. Requirements: weeds and grasses mowed to 12 inches or below (some cities require 6 inches) especially during fire season April 1 to November 1; accumulated trash, junk, and debris removed; abandoned or non-functioning equipment removed; vehicles prohibited except behind 6-foot solid fence; no standing water (vector control); and fence/gates secured against trespass. Stockton's annual Weed Abatement Program (SMC §8.56) inspects all properties from April through July, sending courtesy notices followed by formal 10-day abatement notices. Lodi (LMC §15.16), Manteca (MMC §8.16), and Tracy (TMC §4.04) run parallel programs. Unincorporated SJ County's Consolidated Fire Protection District coordinates with the Stockton/SJ County Office of Emergency Services. The California Department of Food and Agriculture adds noxious-weed mandates for species like yellow starthistle and medusahead. Vacant commercial lots over 1 acre often trigger stormwater BMP requirements under the SJ County Phase II MS4 permit (NPDES). Abatement costs plus 15-25% admin charge are liened against property under Gov. Code §38773.5 and collected through county property tax roll.
Written notice with 10-day cure period typical. County/city abatement by contractor: $400 to $1,500+ per lot depending on size, plus 15-25% administrative surcharge, liened against property. Repeat offenders placed on automatic-abatement list (no annual notice required). Large commercial lot without stormwater BMP: up to $10,000/day NPDES penalty.
Lodi, CA
Vehicles parked on Lodi streets for more than 72 hours without moving are subject to towing under California Vehicle Code §22651(k). Inoperable vehicles (mis...
Lodi, CA
Lodi enforces the California Swimming Pool Safety Act and California Building Code Appendix V for residential pool enclosures, adopted through LMC Title 15 (...
Lodi, CA
Lodi regulates fences under LMC 17.14.100 (Fences and Walls) within the Development Code. Fences up to 7 feet on residential side and rear property lines are...
Lodi, CA
Lodi allows limited backyard fowl in residential zones under LMC Title 6 (Animals), Chapter 6.12. Roosters and crowing fowl are restricted, and large livesto...
Lodi, CA
Lodi adopts the California Residential Code through LMC Title 15 and requires hard-wired, interconnected smoke alarms in all new dwellings and during permitt...
Lodi, CA
Lodi allows artificial turf as a water-conserving landscape material in residential yards, consistent with California's drought-response measures. Standard f...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in San Joaquin County.
See how Lodi's vacant lot maintenance rules stack up against other locations.
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