Watsonville, CA Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)

Watsonville Municipal Code § 7-7.03 makes it unlawful for any person owning, occupying, renting, managing or controlling real property in the City to cause or permit weeds, or to place, cause or permit debris, to be or remain on the property or on the adjoining portion of the street to the center line. Every such person has a duty to remove or destroy the weeds and debris, and destruction by burning is unlawful without the written permission of the Fire Chief. Section 7-7.02 declares all weeds growing upon private property or streets in the City, and all debris, to be public nuisances.

Section 7-7.01 defines weeds to include those that bear downy or wingy seed when mature, brush or weeds that become a fire menace to adjacent improved property when dry, noxious or dangerous weeds, poison oak and poison ivy that menace public health, and dry grass, stubble, brush, litter or other flammable material creating a fire hazard. Debris is waste matter, litter, trash, refuse, rubbish, dirt, dry grass, dead trees, tin cans, paper and similar material that is or may become a fire hazard or a menace to health, safety or welfare.

The abatement process is run by resolution. Under § 7-7.04 the Council passes a resolution declaring the nuisance and orders the Fire Chief to give notice, fixing a hearing on objections. Notice is published at least twice in a daily newspaper, the first publication at least ten (10) days before the hearing, and posted in three (3) prominent places in the City (§ 7-7.05). After the hearing the Council orders abatement by cutting, discing, chemical spraying or another method, and an owner can clear the lot first, before the Fire Chief arrives (§ 7-7.07). Costs are tracked per parcel (§ 7-7.08), confirmed by Council and become a lien (§ 7-7.10). An assessment not paid by August 1st following the hearing is added to the tax bill, with the report filed with County officials on or before August 10 (§§ 7-7.09, 7-7.11). Section 5-15.14 separately prohibits throwing or depositing litter on any open or vacant private property within the City.