Docu Sign Envelope ID: 4595F553-AD7F-4597-9C90-CF5048E5D0B4 County of Santa Clara OUN
Consumer and Environmental Protection Agency THA
Weed Abatement Division
1553 Berger Drive
Building 1 SANTA CLANS
San Jose, CA 95112
(408) 282-3145
Fax (408) 286-2460
November 24, 2021
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ABATE WEEDS
Dear Property Owner:
To protect your property and the surrounding area from possible fire, your jurisdiction (city or County if in unincorporated areas) contracts with the County of Santa Clara to operate a Weed Abatement Program.
You are receiving this notice and information because our staff has determined that your parcel is part of this Program. Please read the information carefully and contact us for clarification or additional information.
Your jurisdiction has or will adopt a resolution declaring your property as one that may contain fire hazards from weeds or other debris. Following this action, your jurisdiction will conduct a public hearing to consider an abatement order which would require you to remove any hazardous vegetation or combustible debris prior to the deadline in the attached abatement schedule. The public hearing will be held on the date and at the place stated in the attached notice and provides an opportunity for you to raise any objections or concerns with this requirement.
If you believe your parcel includes an environmentally sensitive habitat, please check the box and provide additional information on the reply form to assist us in determining the best approach to abating your property.
If, after the public hearing, the Weed Abatement Program is approved for your property, the County is authorized by your city and the California Health and Safety Code sections 14875-14922 to inspect your property to confirm that the property has been cleared of hazards according to Minimum Fire Safety Standards (see enclosed brochure). Inspections will begin after the abatement deadline for your jurisdiction.
This notice does not relieve you of your responsibility to complete the necessary work prior to the deadline for your jurisdiction. You will be responsible for an annual fee of S91 to cover the cost of this compliance inspection.
If you fail to complete the abatement work prior to our inspection of your property, you will be responsible for an inspection fee of S505 per parcel, and your property will be scheduled for abatement by the County contractor. You will be assessed a County administrative fee of S858 per parcel plus the County's cost of abatement if the County completes this work. If you complete the abatement work before the County contractor, you will not incur further charges.
The County will use the least costly method of abatement considering the physical characteristics of your property and any other environmental or related concerns. Fees are detailed in the attached price list. The total amount will be included as a special assessment on your property tax bill following confirmation of the charges by your city or the County if parcel is not in a city at a public hearing?. This hearing would be scheduled in late spring/summer 2021 with the exact date determined by your jurisdiction. Jurisdictions Board of Supervisors: Mike Wasserman, Cindy Chavez, Otto Lee, Susan Ellenberg, S. Joseph Simitian County Executive: Jeffrey V. Smith
DocuSign Envelope ID: 4595F553-AD7F-4597-9C90-CF5048E5D0B4 post hearing information at a physical location (typically at a city hall building or other government center and most jurisdictions also publish this information on their websites) at least three days prior to the meeting.
You can avoid all costs, other than the annual compliance fee, by completing the abatement work yourself according to Minimum Fire Safety Standards (see enclosed brochure) prior to the abatement deadline for your jurisdiction and maintaining the Minimum Fire Safety Standards for the duration of fire season, which typically runs March Through October. Parcels will be removed from the program after three consecutive years of voluntary compliance (work completed by property owner prior to the deadline and confirmed by our inspection).
In preparation for this program, please complete and return the enclosed Reply Form by January 15, 2021so we are notified of your plans for abating your property.
If you designate in your reply that you intend to abate the weeds yourself, you need to complete the abatement before the deadline listed on the attached abatement schedule and maintain fire safe conditions for the duration of the fire season. Responding that you intend to provide maintenance yourself does not release you from this responsibility to have the maintenance completed before your deadline and repeated as necessary to maintain Minimum Fire Safe Standards. The County will abate hazardous vegetation as required after the deadline for your jurisdiction at your cost.
Enclosed you will find the following information:
• Reply Form specific to your property. Please complete and return by January 15, 2021.
V Notice to Destroy Weeds informing you of an upcoming public meeting (that you must attend if you have any objections to the proposed removal of hazardous vegetation or debris from your property. Your Jurisdiction may offer the ability for you to participate in this meeting virtually; please confirm directly with your jurisdiction.
V Weed Abatement Program Schedule for your city with current County abatement fees.
V County of Santa Clara Weed Abatement Brochure.
Please be aware that any abatement performed by the County must comply with all applicable regulations.
If your property falls within an area designated as possible habitat for burrowing owls or any other protected species of bird or animal, the methods used to remove vegetation may be regulated by specific laws or local ordinances.
If you are no longer the owner of the property identified by this mailing, please notify us immediately at (408) 282-3145. If you sell your property after the date of this letter, it is your responsibility to notify the new owner and to include the obligation to pay any abatement costs in your agreement of sale. Without taking this action, you will be responsible for all hazard abatement charges assessed to the property.
Our goals are voluntary compliance with the Minimum Fire Safety Standards and all properties remain safe from fire. If you have any questions or need on-site advice to help you achieve compliance with the Minimum Fire Standards, please call us at (408) 282-3145.
Sincerely,
•DocuSigned by:
Do Zientek
- 23BC95461D52437...
Jo Zientek, Director
Consumer and Environmental Protection Agency