Monterey County Municipal Code Ch. 10.46 Weed Control

California Food and Agricultural Code, Division 4, Chapter 6, Article 4, Chapter 7, Article 1, Article 1.5, Article 2, Article 3, and Article 4.

(Ord. 3279, 1987)

Weeds considered to be noxious weeds within the meaning of Section 5004 of the California Food and Agricultural Code which the Agricultural Commissioner finds and determines to be detrimental or destructive and difficult to control or eradicate. Weed species referred to in Groups 1 and 2 are those that are designated noxious weeds in the California Administrative Code, Title 3, Sections 3854, 3855 and 4500.

Group 1. Species which may occur as a single plant or other limited amounts. It is the intent of the County to eradicate such species on private property and public domain: Onopordum Thistles, O. acanthium (Scotch), O. tauricum (Taurain), Dalmation Toadflax Linaria dalmatica and all other noxious weed species named in the California Department of Food and Agriculture Pest Rating classification listing designated as Class "A" rated noxious weeds.

Group 2. Species which occur in fairly large amounts in some areas of Monterey County, but which are not yet in general distribution. It is the intent of the County to require reasonable control of such species to the end that they are not allowed to extend their present infestations, as they can be identified and located in current definable geographical areas of the County. Weeds of this group shall be controlled when the number of properties infested increases, the degree of current infestation increases, or complaints by neighboring land owners, after investigation, show a detrimental impact upon adjoining properties.

And all other noxious weed species named in the California Department of Food and Agriculture Pest Rating Classifications listing designated as Class "B" rated noxious weeds.

Group 3. Species of common weeds of local or general distribution adjacent to crops for which control programs are not generally feasible, are therefore of concern to individuals only.

Weeds considered to be of economic importance for which satisfactory control measures are available, which are established hosts, or may become hosts to insects and/or diseases and also may become hosts to vertebrate pests.

Weed species of local or general distribution which can affect crop production by being hosts to insects, diseases, and provide seed for dissemination, must be controlled.

(Ord. 3279, 1987)

The Agricultural Commissioner will determine the biological impact and determine recommendations for control. These determinations will be made using the following criteria:

The Agricultural Commissioner has determined, by survey have reached the degree of infestation that control measures are necessary.

Complaints that, after investigation, prove weeds of common occurrence on one property have become a detrimental impact on adjoining properties.

(Ord. 3279, 1987)

Eradication of weeds in Group 1 which occur in small outlying infestations will be undertaken in accordance with one of the following programs:

1. If the infestation is of such size that the cost to the County would be less than other abatement proceedings, then the entire cost of eradication will be borne by the County.

2. If the property owner neglects or abandons his or her Group 1 noxious weeds, the Agricultural Commissioner will cause eradication of those noxious weeds. The property owner will be billed the entire amount of the costs of eradication. The entire amount is due and payable within thirty (30) days. If the entire amount is not paid within the specified time frame, a lien will be placed on the property for that amount owing.

Group 2. Control and/or eradication procedure will be followed only when the Agricultural Commissioner considers such actions warranted. If the species in Group 2 are adequately controlled by biological means, as determined by the Agricultural Commissioner, no other type of control methods will be required.

Group 3. Where property owners fail to follow the Agricultural Commissioner's recommendations, in the specified time frame, the Agricultural Commissioner will cause the weeds to be abated. The property owner will be billed the entire amount of the costs of eradication. The entire amount is due and payable within thirty (30) days. If the entire amount is not paid within this time frame, a lien for the amount owing will be placed on the property.

(Ord. 3279, 1987)

1. Property under the jurisdiction of the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, all weeds in Groups 1, 2 and 3, will be treated at County expense as necessary.

2. Property under the jurisdiction of other public agencies and properties included in rights-of-way, the cooperation of those agencies will be sought in carrying out the same type of treatment of weeds included in Groups 1, 2 and 3.

(Ord. 3279, 1987)