Ventura Grass Height Limits Rules (2026): What You Need to Know
Some RestrictionsThe Short Version
The City of Ventura (San Buenaventura) prohibits grass and ground cover on residential and commercial properties from exceeding 12 inches in height. Overgrown grass and lawn areas that are unmaintained are treated as a public nuisance under the city's property maintenance code and are subject to complaint-driven code enforcement. The city's dry Mediterranean climate and periodic drought conditions make regular lawn maintenance both a code requirement and a fire-risk management concern. Property owners are responsible for maintaining all lawn areas on their parcel, including parkway strips between the sidewalk and the street.
Full Breakdown
Ventura's property maintenance standards require all residential and commercial property owners to keep grass and ground cover trimmed to a maximum height of 12 inches. Grass or vegetation allowed to grow beyond this threshold is considered a property maintenance violation and a public nuisance under the Ventura Municipal Code. This standard applies to all portions of the parcel under the owner's control, including front yards, side yards, rear yards, and the parkway strip — the landscaped area between the public sidewalk and the street curb — which remains the property owner's maintenance responsibility even though it falls within the public right-of-way.
Code Compliance officers in Ventura typically respond to complaints about overgrown grass by issuing an initial courtesy notice giving the property owner a reasonable timeframe — commonly 14 to 30 days — to bring the property into compliance. If grass is not cut within the notice period, a formal notice of violation is issued and administrative fines may begin accruing. In cases of persistent non-compliance, the city may arrange for a contractor to mow the property and bill the cost to the property owner, with the bill capable of becoming a lien against the property if unpaid. Given Ventura's fire-risk environment and proximity to wildland-urban interface zones, tall dry grass during summer and fall months can also trigger concerns under fire code vegetation management requirements independent of the standard property maintenance rules.
Ventura actively promotes water-wise landscaping as an alternative to traditional turf grass. Property owners who replace lawns with drought-tolerant native plants, mulched garden beds, decomposed granite, or other low-water alternatives can significantly reduce their maintenance obligations while complying with the city's landscape standards. The Ventura Water department and the Calleguas Municipal Water District periodically offer turf replacement rebates that can offset conversion costs.
What Happens If You Violate This?
Grass exceeding 12 inches: initial courtesy notice followed by formal notice of violation with administrative fines typically starting at $100 per violation. Continued non-compliance may result in the city contracting the mowing work and billing the property owner, with unpaid bills recorded as a lien on the parcel. Repeat violations may result in accelerated enforcement timelines. Contact the City of Ventura Code Compliance Division at (805) 654-7834.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can grass be on my property in Ventura before I get cited?
Am I responsible for mowing the parkway strip in front of my house?
Can I replace my lawn with drought-tolerant landscaping to avoid mowing violations?
Sources & Official References
Related Ordinances in Ventura
How does Ventura compare?
See how Ventura's grass height limits rules stack up against other locations.