Torrance Weed Ordinances Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

Torrance enforces weed abatement as part of its broader property maintenance and nuisance codes. The Code Enforcement Division responds to complaints about overgrown vegetation, weeds, and debris that create fire hazards, health concerns, or aesthetic blight. Under the city's nuisance provisions, it is a public nuisance to maintain property in a manner that creates excessive dust, mud, or debris that affects neighboring properties.

Torrance participates in the LA County weed abatement program authorized under California Government Code Section 39501. LA County fire clearance standards require dry grass and weeds to be cut to 3 inches or less throughout the entire clearance area to reduce fire risk, particularly important given Southern California's fire-prone climate.

The enforcement process is progressive: once a violation is verified, Code Enforcement typically issues up to three notices (first, second, and final). The typical compliance period is 30 days per notice, though shorter periods may be given for safety concerns and extensions may be granted when progress is being made. If the property owner fails to comply after all notices, the city may hold an abatement hearing or perform the cleanup and bill the costs to the property owner.