Dear Property Owner,
National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day will take place on Saturday, May 4th. Take action to protect your home and community against the threat of wildfire by attending one of several upcoming community wildfire preparedness workshops. Please see the enclosed flyer for more information and register today.
As a property owner in a designated Fire Hazard Severity Zone of the Wildland Urban Interface, you must comply with the minimum fire-safe regulations. Self-inspections are a key component in achieving fire resilience for residents and the community. Included in this packet is a property self-inspection card. Please complete this card and return by mail or online using the provided QR code.
Your property is in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone of the Wildland Urban Interface Area and requires 100 feet of defensible space from all structures. Defensible space is the necessary buffer created around a structure when combustible vegetation is removed or reduced. The enforced safety regulations for your property include:
Enforced Safety Regulations (Items A - F)
A. Create 100 feet of defensible space around your home. To accomplish this, you must clear flammable vegetation a minimum of 30 feet around structures. Additionally, create a reduced fuel zone for the remaining 70 feet (or to the property line).
B. Remove pine needles, leaves, and other dead vegetation from roofs, eaves and rain gutters.
C. Trim tree limbs 10 feet from chimneys and stove pipes; remove dead limbs that hang over rooftops.
D. Remove all non-fire-resistive vegetation a minimum of 10 feet on each side of a fire apparatus access road or driveway.
E. Cover chimney outlets or flues with a 1/2” mesh spark arrester.
F. Post a clearly visible house address, using at least 4” high numbers, for easy identification. For homes located more than 50 feet from the street, post address numbers at the driveway entrance.
Additional Safety Recommendations
• Create and maintain a 5-foot noncombustible zone around all structures, including decks. • Clear 10 feet around and 15 feet above fuels (e.g., woodpiles, lumber, and scrap). Move woodpiles as far away as possible from all structures.
• Clear vegetation and other combustible material from underneath decks. Enclose elevated decks with fire-resistive materials.
• Trees 18 feet or taller should be limbed up 6 feet from the ground. Provide additional vertical clearance when trees have vegetation beneath them.
February 22, 2024
RE: <<Property Address>> / APN: <<APN>>
SANTA CLARA COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT
ATTN: FIRE PREVENTION DIVISION
1315 DELL AVENUE
CAMPBELL, CA 95008-6609
<<Owner Name>>
<<Owner Address>>
<<Owner City>>, <<Owner State>> <<Owner ZIP Code>>
<<Endorsement Line>>
<<Owner Name>>
<<Owner Address>>
<<Owner City>>, <<Owner State>> <<Owner ZIP Code>>
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
PLACE
STAMP
HERE
CUPERTINO 100'
Owner Responsibilities:
1. Please ensure that your property satisfies the listed requirements. You have the option to complete the required work yourself or hire a contractor. For information about vegetation abatement services, visit WeedAbatement.SCCgov.org or call 408.282.3145.
2. Please either complete and return the attached property self-inspection card OR scan the QR Code below to report the current status of your property before April 1, 2024.
Inspection Schedule:
On April 1, 2024, SCCFD will begin conducting property inspections. Property owners not in compliance will be notified of what work needs to be completed to comply with the Enforced Safety Regulations. Please contact us if you are unable to complete the required work due to late season rains or other special circumstance.
On June 1, 2024, we will begin conducting re-inspections of the properties that were out of compliance at the time of the first property inspection. If your property fails to comply with Items A, B, C, or D of the Enforced Safety Regulations specified above, the compliance work will be completed by the City of Cupertino’s authorized contractor, and the charges for this service will appear on your next property tax bill.
If you have concerns regarding the safety compliance of your property, courtesy property inspections will be available April 1st through April 12th. To schedule a courtesy property inspection provided by SCCFD or for more information, please contact the Fire Prevention Division at [email protected] or call 408.341.4420.
Sincerely,
Hector R. Estrada, Deputy Chief
Fire Prevention Division
Choose ONE:
1. Scan the QR code below with a smartphone camera to submit your response online OR
2. Complete and mail the attached information card below.
Evacuation Zone ID:
Private Access Key: Or Online: qrs.ly/syej73x
<<ZoneID>>
<<AccessKey>>
Option 1 - Respond Online
I have received the annual Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Enforced Safety Regulations letter related to flammable vegetation abatement. The current status of my property is as follows (choose one):
□□ I have inspected my property for flammable vegetation clearance and believe it complies with the Enforced Safety Regulations. I understand that an inspection of my property may be conducted to verify compliance. □□ I will remove flammable vegetation around all structures on my property in accordance with the Enforced Safety Regulations no later than June 1, 2024. I understand that if the required work is not completed, the authorized contractor may complete the work and the charges will appear on my next property tax bill. □□ I am no longer the owner of this property.
□□ There are no structures on this property.
Name (print clearly): ____________________________________________________ Date: _________________ Phone: (______)____________________ Email: __________________________________________________ Property Address: <<Property Address>>
Option 2 - Respond by Mail
Resources and Information
California Department of Insurance: www.insurance.ca.gov • 800.927.4357 Provides information about all types of insurance, including insurance coverage and limits for high fire risk areas Santa Clara County FireSafe Council: www.SCCFireSafe.org • 408.975.9591 Protects and educates communities at risk from wildfire through fuel reduction programs, outreach and community planning efforts Santa Clara County Weed Abatement Program: WeedAbatement.SCCgov.org • 408.282.3145 Provides community education and hazard abatement services to protect communities from fire hazards AlertSCC Emergency Alerts Genasys Protect: Know Your Zone AlertSCC.org Protect.Genasys.com
Visit protect.genasys.com to view/verify your Evacuation ZONE#