December 13, 2022
Re: Weed Abatement Season Commencement and January 17, 2023 Public Hearing
Your property has been placed on the enclosed Weed Abatement Program Commencement Report for public nuisance (weeds) pursuant to Section 9.08 of the Cupertino Municipal Code. Please refer to the attached Minimum Fire Safety Standards (MFSS) guidelines to make the corrections that are necessary and avoid the County administrative fee. The Cupertino City Council will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at 6:45 p.m., in the Council Chamber in the Community Hall, City of Cupertino or via a teleconference meeting if authorized pursuant to Government Code section 54953(e). All properties identified by the Agricultural Commissioner as being non- compliant with Weed Abatement Program safety r egulations will be declared to have hazardous conditions requiring abatement. Details on how to attend the meeting will appear on the City Council Agenda for that date.
About the Weed Abatement Program
The Santa Clara County Department of Agriculture and Environmental Management and the City of Cupertino are working together to prevent fire hazards posed by vegetative growth and accumulation of combustible materials.
Property owners are required to keep their property free of fire hazards—such as weeds— throughout the year. However, the Minimum Fire Safety Standards (MFSS) are required to be met each year by the April 30 deadline and then maintained through out the year.
Vegetation must not exceed six in ches in height any time after the compliance deadline.
Please see the reverse side of this page for the complete MFSS guidelines.
County staff annually inspect parcels at the beginning of the fire season, which is typically in March or April. If the property is not in compliance, the property owner will pay a fee equal to the contractor’s charges plus a County administrative fee. All fees will be included in your property tax bill. If your property is abated before the April 30 deadline then the County administrative fee will be waived.
Weed Abatement Program Standards
The clearance requirements for the Weed Abatement program are referred to as the Minimum Fire Safety Standards (MFSS).
Minimum Fire Safety Standards (MFSS)
1. Vegetation must not exceed 6 inches in height any time after the compliance deadline
2. Maintain grasses and weeds below six (6) inches for ten feet horizontally on both sides of all roadways, including driveways and all access routes.
3. Clear flammable vegetation a minimum of thi rty feet around any structure, occupied or not. Ornamental vegetation should be kept clear of dead material. Some conditions, such as slopes, may require up to 100 feet of clearance.
4. Parcels up to one acre shall be completely abated. Parcels one to five acres require 30-foot clearance around structures and perimeter property lines. Additional 30- foot cross fuel breaks may also be required.
5. Parcels larger than five acres require 30 -foot clearance around structure and perimeter property lines in addition to 30-foot cross breaks as needed to separate the remaining vegetation into sections no larger than five acres.
6. Keep property clear of accumulation of combustible debris, such as trash, wood, and dead vegetation. Stacked firewood and neatly piled yard wa ste is not considered to be combustible debris.
7. Keep vegetation cleared from under the eaves of houses.
8. Trim tree branches to at least 10 feet from the structure and chimney.
9. Clear leaves, pine needles, and debris from roof and gutters.
If the compliance work identified for your property involves brush or weed removal, you may request the services of the approved County of Santa Clara abatement contractor. If you are interested in this service, please call the Hazardous Vegetation Service line at (408) 282-3145 to request more information and/or to schedule an inspection appointment for a cost estimate.
If you have any questions about the information on this notice, please contact the Santa Clara County Department of Agriculture, Hazardous Vegetation Management Program at (408) 918-4600.
Sincerely,
Lauren Sapudar
Deputy City Clerk