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

Upland treats overgrown vegetation as both a public nuisance and a fire hazard. The city's Weed Abatement Program, administered by the Weed Abatement Coordinator (Julie Hernandez, (909) 931-4134), operates from January through July each year, though compliance is described as a year-round requirement. Property owners must keep weeds and grasses below 4 inches, remove dead or dying vegetation, trim and maintain all vegetation, remove dead tree material including palm fronds, maintain defensible space around structures (within 30 feet), keep access paths clear to rear yards and structures, and maintain adjoining alleys free of debris and vegetation (referencing Upland Municipal Code 12.156.050). Inspection follows a multi-step process: an initial abatement notice describing violations, a second inspection that, if violations remain, triggers a Notice of Violation, and a third inspection after 30 days where continued violations result in additional charges. Property owners are charged an administrative fee only after a second inspection and issuance of a Notice of Violation; fees follow the city's fee schedule. Separately, under Chapter 8.12, weeds and wild grasses left after a five-day written notice from the superintendent of streets may be removed by the city at the owner's expense. The 4-inch standard and 30-foot defensible space are specific city rules, stricter than generic California nuisance law.