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.
Tracy, CA
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Tracy, CA
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Tracy, CA
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Tracy, CA
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Tracy, CA
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Tracy, CA
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in San Joaquin County.
See how Tracy's vacant lot maintenance rules stack up against other locations.
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