Vacant lots in unincorporated Orange County must be maintained free of weeds, trash, and fire hazards under the County's Weed Abatement Program (California Health & Safety Code §§14875–14922) and OCCO Title 3, Division 13 property maintenance standards. The OC Agricultural Commissioner conducts annual inspections and issues compliance notices each spring.
The OC Agricultural Commissioner administers the Weed Abatement Program for unincorporated Orange County under California Health & Safety Code Sections 14875 through 14922. The core of the program is the Annual Spring Notice, mailed in early March to owners of parcels with recurring or anticipated weed problems, setting a compliance deadline typically in mid-April. Property owners must cut and remove grass, noxious weeds, trash, rubbish, and other flammable material from vacant lots, yards, courtyards, and parkways throughout the year. Dry vegetation creates fire hazards and must be maintained continuously. Under OCCO Title 3, Division 13, Article 1, accumulation of junk and debris on vacant lots is also a code enforcement violation handled by OC Development Services Neighborhood Preservation. The Weed Abatement Program can be reached at (714) 955-0111.
If property owners fail to abate weeds by the deadline, the County may arrange for abatement at the owner's expense and place a lien on the property to recover costs. Under OCCO Title 3, Division 13, additional enforcement actions include civil citations, property liens, and referral for civil litigation or criminal charges.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Orange County.
See how other cities in Orange County handle vacant lot maintenance.
See how Mission Viejo's vacant lot maintenance rules stack up against other locations.
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