Duty to remove and abate hazardous vegetation and combustible material.
Riverside Municipal Code § 6.16.040
in effect6.16.040 - Duty to remove and abate hazardous vegetation and combustible material.
A. Every owner of any improved parcel or unimproved parcel of land or interest therein, which is located within the City of Riverside and a High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, shall remove or abate all weeds, hazardous vegetation and combustible material which constitutes a fire hazard, or may endanger or damage surrounding property.
B. The owner of buildings, grounds, or lots, located within the City of Riverside and a High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, shall remove from such property and adjacent streets all weeds, hazardous vegetation or combustible material growing or accumulated thereon, in accordance with the procedures and methods prescribed in this chapter and by the Enforcement Official.
C. Prior to the close of any real estate sales transaction within the City of Riverside, the requirements for property owners to comply with the vegetation management ordinance shall be disclosed to all potential property owners.
D. All improved parcels, shall comply with the following requirements:
1. Maintain defensible space of 100 feet from each side and from the front and rear of the structure or outbuilding, but not beyond the property line except as provided in Section 6.16.050. Combustible material, hazardous vegetation, and weeds shall be maintained in a condition such that a fire burning under average weather conditions would be unlikely to ignite the structure or outbuilding. This paragraph does not apply to single specimens of trees or other vegetation that are well-pruned and maintained so as to effectively manage fuels and not form a means of rapidly transmitting fire from other nearby vegetation to a structure or outbuilding, or from a structure or outbuilding to other nearby vegetation.
2. Remove dead vegetation, trim branches, relocate flammable materials, and use non-combustible landscaping within 30 feet of any structure or outbuilding on an improved parcel.
3. Thinly trim live plants, remove dead vegetation, and maintain adequate spacing between trees and shrubs, within 100 feet but not less than 30 feet from a structure or outbuilding on an improved parcel.
4. Consistent with fuel management treatment objectives, steps should be taken to minimize erosion. Clearance on adjacent property shall only be conducted following written consent by the adjacent landowner.
5. Remove any portion of a tree that extends within ten feet of the outlet of a chimney or stovepipe.
6. Maintain trees, shrubs, or other plants adjacent to or overhanging a building free of dead or dying wood.
7. Maintain the roof of a structure or outbuilding free of leaves, needles, or other vegetative materials.
(Ord. 7711, § 3(Exh. A), 2025)
Source: City of Riverside, California, Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ca/riverside/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_TIT6HESA_CH6.16VEMADESP_6.16.040DUREABHAVECOMAFetched: 11/1/2026