Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup
Key FactsOrdinance TextFull BreakdownViolationsFAQSourcesMore in Santa Maria

Santa Maria, CA Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Prohibited condition
Vegetation 'likely to harbor rats or vermin' (5-6.202(c)(3))
Enforcement path
Compliance Order, then Hearing Officer review
Max administrative penalty
$2,500/day, $100,000 total cap
Public record
Notice of Nuisance recorded with County Recorder
Unresolved nuisance
City may abate directly and lien the property

Summary

Santa Maria's property nuisance ordinance makes it unlawful to maintain premises with dead, decayed, infested, or overgrown vegetation 'likely to harbor rats or vermin.' Code Compliance officers issue a written Compliance Order, and an unresolved violation goes before a Hearing Officer, who can issue a Nuisance Abatement Order and record it against the property with the County Recorder.

It is unlawful for any person owning, renting, leasing, occupying, managing or having charge, or possessing of any real property in this City to maintain such premises in such a manner that any of the following conditions are found to exist thereon: ... (c) Property maintained in a condition so defective, unsightly, or in a state of such deterioration, disrepair or neglect that it causes a health, safety or fire hazard or an attractive nuisance to children such as: ... (3) Trees, weeds, or other vegetation which are dead, decayed, infested, diseased, overgrown, or likely to harbor rats or vermin, or which are detrimental to neighboring property or property values;

View official code

Full Breakdown

203, and the City may record a Notice of Nuisance with the Santa Barbara County Recorder to give constructive notice to buyers and successors. 07. 310) and releases upon compliance. 306 before that recordation occurs.

Violations & Fines

If the nuisance isn't corrected under the Nuisance Abatement Order, the City may abate it directly and impose the cost as a special assessment or lien on the property under Sections 5-6.402/5-6.403. Separately, Section 1-8.09(a) lets the Hearing Officer impose administrative penalties of up to $2,500 per day for each ongoing violation that is a misdemeanor under the Code, capped at $100,000 total exclusive of administrative costs, interest, and inspection restitution.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Santa Maria rule addresses rodent-attracting properties?
Section 5-6.202(c)(3) of the property nuisance ordinance, which makes it unlawful to maintain trees, weeds, or vegetation that is dead, decayed, infested, diseased, overgrown, or likely to harbor rats or vermin. It's enforced as a public nuisance under the Chapter 5-6 abatement procedure.
What happens after a Compliance Order is issued?
The property owner gets a set deadline to fix the condition. If it isn't corrected, the Compliance Officer schedules a hearing before a Hearing Officer under Sections 1-8.06 and 1-8.07, who can then issue a Nuisance Abatement Order requiring the condition to be remedied.
How much can the City fine me for a rodent-harborage nuisance?
Under Section 1-8.09, the Hearing Officer can impose administrative penalties up to $2,500 per day for each ongoing violation treated as a misdemeanor under the Code, with a total cap of $100,000, not counting administrative costs, interest, or inspection restitution.
Can the City record a nuisance notice against my property?
Yes. Section 5-6.203 lets the City record a Notice of Nuisance with the Santa Barbara County Recorder once a property is declared a public nuisance, giving constructive notice to prospective buyers; a Notice of Release is recorded once the condition is abated.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Santa Maria

Parking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingLight RestrictionsParking Rules: Curb Color RulesSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic ZoningSignificant RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Artificial TurfLight RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Native PlantsFew Restrictions

All Santa Maria rules

California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Maria to another location·View the California public health rules overview

Get notified when Rodent Control in Santa Maria, CA changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.