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
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
The Weed Abatement Program (WAP)
works in collaboration with all of the cities
in the County, with the exception of
Saratoga, Mountain View and Sunnyvale.
The WAP is part of the Santa Clara
County Consumer and Environmental
Protection Agency (CEPA), which helps
protect your community from fire dangers.
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.
Please read and follow the directions
provided in this brochure regarding fire
prevention on your property.
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 a
potential fire hazard on your property during fire
season. Fire Departments and other agencies also
submit complaints to the Weed Abatement
Program.
Q. What is required of me now that I am in the
program?
A. You are required to keep your property free of
fire hazards throughout the year.
Q. How long will I be in the program?
A. Your property will remain on the program for
three consecutive years. If no hazards are found
during that time, your property may be removed
from the program.
Q. What do I do if there are Burrowing Owls on
my property?
A. These owls are listed as a state Species of
Special concern and are protected by the federal
Migratory Bird Act. To abate your property, you
must use a form of weed abatement that does not
endanger the birds (mowing or weed eating).
Q. Where can I find more information?
A. We can help! Call us at 408-282-3145, send us
an email at [email protected],
or check out our website at
weedabatement.santaclaracounty.gov. There you
can find more information about the Minimum Fire
Safety Standards, as well as answers to many
frequently 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
Protect and preserve the health and the well-
being of people, pets, and environment of Santa
Clara County, working in collaboration with the
community.
Fire Resistant Landscape
FAQs