San Bernardino County Weed Abatement Rules for 2025: What Every Property Owner Must Know

San Bernardino County Weed Abatement Rules for 2025: What Every Property Owner Must Know

Why Weed Abatement Is Crucial in San Bernardino County

Overgrown weeds, dry grasses, and combustible debris pose serious wildfire risks, especially in Southern California’s valley, desert, and mountain regions. The county’s Fire Hazard Abatement (FHA) Program actively enforces regulations under County Code §23.0301–23.0319 to reduce fire threats by maintaining defensible space and clearing flammable vegetation and debris.

2025 Inspection Schedule & Regions

  • Valley & Desert Areas: Inspections occur twice a year — typically in early spring and again in early fall .
  • Mountain Communities (e.g., Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead): Get one inspection per year during summer months .

Key Requirements by Area

Valley & Desert (Also applies to parcels <5 acres):

  • Cut weeds/grasses to 4 inches or less throughout the property
  • Remove all flammable debris—like trash, cardboard, building materials 
  • Eliminate tumbleweeds completely 

Mountain Areas:

  • Maintain weeds under 4 inches within 100 ft of structures and 10 ft of roads
  • Remove all tree trimmings, dead branches, pine needles/debris 
  • Ensure shrub and tree spacing: Thin small trees (<4 in. diameter) to 10 ft apart; prune foliage up to 6 ft on trees over 12 ft tall 
  • Keep flammable shrubs at least 15 ft from structures and 10 ft from roads 

What Happens If You Don’t Comply

  1. First Notice to Abate: You have 30 days to remedy the issue 
  2. Second Survey & Notice to Abate with Citation: If unresolved, you face a $100 citation and administrative fees 
  3. County Intervention: After a 10­-day grace period, the County may perform abatement using approved contractors. You’ll be billed for all work and fees 
  4. Enforcement & Collection: Unpaid invoices can result in a lien on your property, 25% collection fees, or being added to your property tax bill .

How to Stay Ahead and Compliant

  • Mark your calendar: Valley/desert – early spring & fall; mountains – summer.
  • Maintain defensible space: Clear 100 ft around structures and 10 ft from roads
  • Vegetation control: Keep grasses ≤ 4 in; prune trees and remove dead/shrub debris.
  • Pine needles & shrubs: Remove pine/dead foliage deeper than 2 in; space shrubs 15–30 ft from structures 
  • Stay updated: Subscribe to the County mailing list and ensure your address is current in the Assessor’s office
  • Explore resources: Take part in demonstration events, use downloadable guides, and consult the regional code PDFs on the Land Use Services FHA site

Best Practices for Property Owners

  • Hold yearly maintenance sessions before inspections.
  • Hire landscaping contractors experienced with county code.
  • Document your work with dates and photos—especially useful if a notice arrives after cleanup.
  • Consider environmentally friendly options, like grazing goats, as permitted 

Bottom Line

San Bernardino County’s 2025 weed abatement regulations are designed to minimize wildfire risk. Staying proactive—especially around mandated inspection seasons—can save you from fire hazards, citations, and costly abatement bills. Want help preparing? Reach out to local landscaping professionals or contact the county’s FHA team for guidance.

 

References

  1. San Bernardino County Code – Fire Hazard Abatement Ordinance
    https://sanbernardino.legistar.com

  2. San Bernardino County Land Use Services – Fire Hazard Abatement Program
    https://lus.sbcounty.gov/fire-hazard-abatement-home

  3. City of Upland Weed Abatement Program
    https://www.uplandca.gov/weed-abatement-schedule

  4. San Bernardino County Main Newsroom – Fire Hazard Abatement Notices
    https://main.sbcounty.gov/2024/03/21/code-enforcement-initiates-fire-hazard-inspections-in-the-county

  5. San Bernardino County Main Newsroom – Mountain Area Fire Inspections
    https://main.sbcounty.gov/2024/06/06/annual-fire-hazard-abatement-inspections-to-begin-in-mountains

  6. San Bernardino County Fire Hazard Abatement – Violation Types and FAQ
    https://lus.sbcounty.gov/fire-hazard-abatement-home/violation-explanation
    https://lus.sbcounty.gov/faq-category/fire-hazard-abatement-questions

  7. San Bernardino County Fire Hazard Abatement – Resources & Demonstration Properties
    https://lus.sbcounty.gov/fire-hazard-abatement-home/resources-county-code
    https://lus.sbcounty.gov/fire-hazard-abatement-home/demonstration-properties

 

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