Santa Clara, CA Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- SCCC § 8.15.020
- Duty
- Owner must remove weeds from lot + half of street
- Nuisance declaration
- By City Council resolution, § 8.15.030
- Abating agency
- Fire Department / Fire Chief
- Unpaid cost
- Becomes a lien on the property
Summary
Santa Clara property owners must keep weeds from growing on vacant lots and the abutting half of any adjoining street or alley, under City Code § 8.15.020. If left unabated after City Council declares them a nuisance, the Fire Department removes them and bills the cost as a lien on the property.
No owner, agent, lessee or other person occupying or having charge or control of any building, lot or premises within the city shall permit weeds to remain upon such premises, public sidewalks, streets or alleys between such premises and the centerline of any public street or alley. Every property owner shall remove or destroy weeds from his/her property and in the abutting half of any street or alley between the lot lines as extended.
Full Breakdown
010 to include growth that bears downy or wingy seeds, indigenous grasses that become a fire menace when dry, otherwise noxious or dangerous weeds, poison oak and poison ivy that threatens public health, and accumulations of garden refuse, cuttings and other combustible trash. 080, setting a hearing date for objections. 060; the owner keeps the right to remove the weeds personally before the crew arrives. 100 the unpaid cost of a City-performed removal becomes a special assessment and lien against the parcel until paid, collected the same way as general property taxes.
Violations & Fines
Letting weeds grow on a vacant lot or the adjoining half of a street or alley violates § 8.15.020 and can be declared a public nuisance by City Council resolution under § 8.15.030. If the owner doesn't remove the weeds after notice and a hearing, the Fire Department abates them and the City assesses the abatement cost as a lien on the property under § 8.15.100, collected with the regular property tax roll.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to clear weeds on a vacant lot I own in Santa Clara?
What happens if I don't clear weeds after the City tells me to?
How does Santa Clara collect the cost of removing weeds itself?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Clara
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Clara to another location·View the California property maintenance overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Vacant Lot Maintenance in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Santa Clara County handle vacant lot maintenance.