Fire safety is essential to protect lives,
preserve property, ensure the well-being
of our communities, and minimize the
environmental impact. Implementing fire
safety measures by removing fire
hazards from your parcel is a proactive
way to reduce the risk of injury, death,
and extensive damage caused by fires.
Effective prevention and preparedness
measures not only save lives but also
safeguard our environment and reduce
economic losses. Maintaining proper
clearance requirements is a shared
responsibility.
The Santa Clara County Consumer and
Environmental Protection Agency -
Weed Abatement Program (WAP) and
your city are working together to protect
your community from fire. We work with
all County cities except Saratoga,
Mountain View and Sunnyvale.
Fees will be assessed for any property
in the program and cover the cost of the
compliance inspection for the property.
Properties that fail the compliance
inspection will be charged a failed
inspection fee, even if the resident
completes the weed abatement. If the
property requires abatement by the
County contractor, the property owner
will be responsible for the actual cost of
abatement plus an administrative fee.
Properties that meet and maintain the
minimum fire safety standards will only
be charged the annual fee.
The following is a partial list of fire
resistant plants that you may choose
to use around your home to reduce
the risk of fire. Contact your local
nursery for selections appropriate to
your area. All grasses, including those
purportedly fire resistant, must be
maintained below 6” in height.
Trees:
African Sumac
California Pepper
Weed Abatement Program
Groundcover:
Aaron’s Bear
Australian Daisy
Candytuft
Sterile Capeweed
Freeway Daisy
Rock Rose
(except Gum Variety)
Q. Why have I received an Abatement Notice?A. A Weed Abatement Inspector identified apotential fire hazard on your property during fireseason. Fire Departments and other agencies alsosubmit complaints to the Weed AbatementProgram.Q. What is required of me now that I am in theprogram?A. You are required to keep your property free offire hazards throughout the year. Q. How long will I be in the program?A. Your property will remain on the program forthree consecutive years. If no hazards are foundduring that time, your property may be removedfrom the program.Q. What do I do if there are Burrowing Owls onmy property?A. These owls are listed as a state Species ofSpecial concern and are protected by the federalMigratory Bird Act. To abate your property, youmust use a form of weed abatement that does notendanger the birds (mowing or weed eating).Q. Where can I find more information? A. We can help! Call us at 408-282-3145, send usan email at [email protected],or check out our website atweedabatement.santaclaracounty.gov. There youcan find more information about the Minimum FireSafety Standards, as well as answers to manyfrequently asked questions.
Our Goal is Voluntary Compliance
Shrubs
Bearberry
Carmel Creeper
Carolina Cherry
Catalina Cherry
Escallonia
Hopseed Bush
Lemonade Berry
African Sumac
Freeway Daisy
Escallonia
Fire Resistant Landscape
FAQs
Parcels one acre or less shall be completely abated. Parcels over one acre up to five acres require 30-foot clearance around structures and perimeter property lines. Additional 30-foot cross fuel breaks may also be required.
Parcels larger than five acres require 30-foot clearance around structures and perimeter property lines in addition to 30-foot cross fuel breaks as needed to separate the remaining vegetation into sections no larger than five acres.
Weed Abatement
A Program of the Consumer and
Environmental Protection Agency
(CEPA)
Scan the QR code to learn more about
the Minimum Fire Safety Standards
408-282-3145
[email protected]
weedabatement.santaclaracounty.gov
Weed Abatement Program Minimum Fire Safety Standards