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

Section 8.20.040 of the Yucaipa Municipal Code does not depend on a building being present. Its duty runs to every owner, occupant and person in control of any land or interest therein in the City of Yucaipa, so an empty lot in San Bernardino County's foothill city is covered the same way as a developed one. The owner must clear the parcel itself and also the sidewalks, parkways and the untraveled portions of any public highway or public road easement adjacent to it. The targeted material is noxious weeds or vegetation, dry grass, Russian thistle (tumbleweeds), dead trees, and all combustible rubbish or noxious vegetation that constitutes a fire, health or safety hazard which can endanger neighboring property or the well-being of persons or property.

Chapter 8.20 enforces this through the San Bernardino County refuse abatement code, adopted by reference with the substitution of the city council for the board of supervisors. The notice to remove carries the statement that the weed abatement program is conducted by the county on behalf of the city pursuant to Ordinance 25 of the city of Yucaipa.

Refuse on vacant lots is controlled separately. Section 8.24.040 says no owner, agent, entity or occupant of any premises, whether vacant or improved, can allow refuse to remain longer than thirteen (13) consecutive days if it is within four hundred (400) feet of any dwelling or commercial building, or longer than four weeks if beyond that distance, or beyond any period code enforcement sets once it finds a public nuisance. Section 8.16.020 defines property under the nuisance chapter as real property that is developed with structures, is vacant or is otherwise used for development purposes. Where a lot has more than five contiguous acres of fire-hazard vegetation, the firebreak option in the second paragraph of § 8.20.040 applies.