Article 1. General Provisions of California Food And Agricultural Code >> Division 4. >> Part 1. >> Chapter 7. >> Article 1.

Any neglected or abandoned plant or crop is a public nuisance in any of the following circumstances:
  (a) It is a menace to the agriculture of the county, district, or vicinity because of the existence of any pest, in or on it.
  (b) It is a menace to the agriculture of the county, district, or vicinity because of the existence of any other condition than the condition described in subdivision (a).
  (c) It is a host plant of, or provides a favorable or likely harbor for, any pest.

Any cotton plant which is uncultivated or that is left from a previous season is presumed to harbor pests and as such is a public nuisance. This presumption is a presumption affecting the burden of producing evidence. If any such cotton plant is not destroyed in the manner established by regulation of the director, by March 1st of any year or by such earlier date as shall be proclaimed by the director as the beginning of a host-free period pursuant to Section 5781 of this code, it is subject anytime thereafter to all remedies which are or may be given for the prevention or abatement of nuisances.

It is unlawful for any person to maintain any neglected or abandoned plant or crop which is a public nuisance.

All remedies for the prevention or abatement of nuisances apply to any such nuisance.

If, after service of the notice pursuant to Article 1.5 (commencing with Section 5561) the nuisance is not abated within the time prescribed in the notice or such time as may be mutually agreed upon by the commissioner and the record owner or person having charge or possession of the property, the commissioner shall proceed under the provisions of Article 2 (commencing with Section 5571).