Redlands, CA Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- City Code ch. 8.40
- Notice period
- 14 days to abate
- Appeal window
- 10 days to city council
- Enforcing officer
- Fire chief
- Maximum fine
- $500.00
- Maximum jail term
- 6 months
Summary
Redlands declares weeds, dry grasses and combustible rubbish on private lots, including vacant parcels, a public nuisance whenever they create a fire hazard. The fire chief issues a written notice to clean the premises, and an owner who ignores it faces city abatement, a lien on the property, and misdemeanor penalties.
8.40.010: FIRE HAZARD DEFINED: ... All weeds, dry grasses, dead shrubs, dead trees, combustible rubbish, or any material growing upon the streets, sidewalks or upon private property within the city which bears seeds of a wingy or downy nature, which by reason of their size, manner of growth and location constitute a fire hazard to any building, improvements, crops, or other property, and weeds and grasses which, when dry, will in reasonable probability constitute such a fire hazard, are declared to be a public nuisance. ... 8.40.100: ... VIOLATION; PENALTY: The owner, occupant, or agent of any lot or premises within the city who shall permit or allow the existence of a public nuisance as defined in this chapter, upon any lot or premises owned, occupied, or controlled by him, or who shall violate any of the provisions of this chapter, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be subject to a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00), or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six (6) months, or both such fine and imprisonment.
Full Breakdown
40 of the Redlands City Code, Abatement of Weeds and Rubbish, gives the fire chief authority over any lot in the city, occupied or vacant. 050 extends that finding to waste matter such as unpiled lumber and exposed rubbish that could hamper firefighting. 040, though the fire chief can still require a fire break to protect adjacent improved property. 060 requires a notice headed NOTICE TO CLEAN PREMISES, posted, mailed, or personally served, warning the owner that failure to abate within fourteen days will bring city abatement and a property lien.
070; the council hears the appeal within twenty days and its decision is final. 080 lets city crews or a private contractor abate it, with the cost plus an administrative fee billed to the owner and, if unpaid, recorded as a lien with the San Bernardino County recorder and collected with the property taxes. 090, mailing postcard notices before applying weed killer at the owner's expense unless the owner shows proof of already-completed control.
Violations & Fines
Section 8.40.100 makes it a misdemeanor for an owner, occupant, or agent to permit a public nuisance under this chapter or to otherwise violate its provisions, punishable by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00), imprisonment for up to six months, or both. Unpaid abatement costs and the administrative fee become a lien collected with the county tax roll.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the weed abatement rule apply to a vacant lot with no structures?
What happens if I ignore the notice to clean my premises?
Can the city force preventive spraying on my lot every year?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Redlands
California rules heatmap·Compare Redlands to another location·View the California property maintenance overview
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Vacant Lot Maintenance in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle vacant lot maintenance.