Monterey, CA Property Maintenance: Weeds & Overgrown Grass (2026)

Weed and vegetation control on unincorporated parcels is governed by Chapter 10.46 (Weed Control) of the County Code, which provides for the abatement of weeds and combustible vegetation that constitute a fire menace or nuisance. The County's Agricultural Commissioner administers weed-related programs, and fire agencies emphasize defensible space in wildland-urban interface areas. The published County Code does not impose a single countywide 'grass must be under X inches' standard the way some cities do; rather, the focus is on dry, combustible, and hazardous vegetation rather than ornamental lawn height. Where weeds or brush create a fire hazard, the County can notify the owner, hold a hearing on objections, and - if the owner fails to clear the vegetation - perform the abatement and recover the cost from the owner, typically as a special assessment or lien. Overgrown vegetation can also be cited as a public nuisance under the general code-enforcement chapter (Ch. 1.22). Separately, the County and Agricultural Commissioner track noxious and invasive weeds (for example certain regulated and eradication-target species) for agricultural and ecological reasons. Because the County does not publish a fixed lawn-height rule, residents asking 'how tall can my grass be' should understand the real trigger is fire hazard and nuisance, not a specific inch measurement. Owners in fire-prone areas should clear dry grass and brush before and during fire season and follow defensible-space guidance.