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

Riverside County Ordinance No. 695 (as amended) requires the abatement of hazardous vegetation in unincorporated areas and is enforced by the Fire Department's Hazard Reduction Office. The program covers the removal of rubbish, litter, or combustible material of any kind, plus clearance of seasonal and recurrent weeds, stubble, brush, dry leaves, tumbleweeds, and other flammable rank growth. The County's published guidance states that clearance of vegetation or material is limited to what is necessary to establish sufficient defensible space, up to 100 feet from structures on adjoining properties. Property owners of targeted parcels receive a Notice of Violation and Order to Abate that specifies the method and amount of clearance required, and they have 30 days from the date of notice to comply; the appeal window under Ordinance 695 is 15 calendar days. A separate ordinance, No. 772, addresses dead or substantially dead orchard, grove, and vineyard trees and other flammable agricultural vegetation. The County's published source material describes the program in terms of fire hazard and defensible space rather than a fixed grass height; we did not find a county-set maximum lawn or weed height, so no specific inch measurement is asserted here. If an owner fails to abate, the County may abate through a contractor and record the cost as a special assessment lien against the parcel.