Placer County, CA Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)

Placer County's hazardous vegetation and combustible material abatement provisions (County Code Section 9.32, Part 4, effective May 21, 2020) expressly cover both improved and unimproved parcels in the unincorporated territory. It is the duty of every owner, occupant, and person in control of any improved or unimproved parcel of land, and of all private roadways, to abate combustible material and hazardous vegetation constituting a fire hazard that may endanger or damage neighboring property. For unimproved parcels lacking a dwelling or basic utilities, the ordinance requires abating vegetation within 100 feet of a neighboring structure and along roadways the county fire warden determines are essential for safe ingress and egress; fire officials may extend abatement beyond 100 feet in high-hazard circumstances. Separately, the property maintenance and nuisance provisions of County Code Chapter 8 define 'premises' to include any lot or parcel, whether improved or unimproved, so accumulations of rubbish, junk, debris, or inoperable vehicles on a vacant lot are also abatable nuisances. Enforcement of vegetation abatement is led by the serving fire district or Placer County Fire; property maintenance nuisances are handled by the Code Enforcement Division. Owners receive a Notice of Violation and Order to Abate and may request an administrative hearing; unabated costs are charged to the owner, including administrative costs.