3/24/2026 Item #6
Weed Abatement
Program
Fire Department
SITA CLARA CARA Deputy Chief Jenn Panko
Code Enforcement
Planning Manager Lesley Xavier
1852 County Weed Abatement
Program Manager Garik
THE MISSION CIT losilevsky
Item #6 RTC 26-172
March 24, 2026
1 Weed Program Summary
• Since 1976, the City of Santa Clara has partnered with County of Santa Clara to abate weeds within city limits.
• By managing vegetation and debris, the program reduces fire risk, supports a healthier environment, improves neighborhood appearance, and raises quality of life. • The City's Code Enforcement Division responds to overgrown vegetation complaints.
Inspectors visit properties and if they are not compliant, property owners are given a 30- day warning notice. If properties have three or more violations within a 36-month period, they are referred to the County for remediation and will be added to the County program. • County Weed Program Inspections begin in the City of Santa Clara on April 15 and continue through October 31.
City of
Santa Clara 2
2 POST MEETING MATERIAL
County of Santa Clara
Weed Abatement Program
March 24, 2026
Presented to City of Santa Clara City Council
By County of Santa Clara Weed Abatement Program Manager, Garik losilevsky
3 • Weed Abatement
Program Process
• Collaborative Efforts with
Overview
Stakeholders
• New Fee Schedule
Weed Abatement Program Process
• Actions required by the Santa Clara City Council
• Hold three meetings per year
1) Adopt a resolution declaring weeds brush and rubbish a public nuisance (2/10/26)
2) Hold a public hearing, approve the list of properties, commence work (3/24/26)
3) Hold a public hearing, approve the list of fees for special assessments (TBD-July 2026)
• Actions required by the Weed Abatement Program
• Send notices annually to property owners on the list
• Inspect properties on the list at least once per year • Perform abatement work on properties that remain non-compliant • Recover costs for inspections and abatement through fees 5 Three scenarios when inspecting a
property:
1. Property passes the inspection
2. Property without a structure fails
Inspection and the inspection
Abatement Process 3. Property with a structure fails the inspection
a) Property owner gives County
consent to abate
b) Property owner does not give
County consent to abate
6 • Inspection takes place and
property meets Minimum Fire
Safety Standards (MFSS):
1) Property passes Property is charged a single
inspection fee for the year.
the inspection
• When a property passes the
inspection for three consecutive
years, the property is
automatically removed from the
Weed Abatement Program list.
Property does not meet MFSS:
• Courtesy notice sent to owner with
2-week correction deadline
• Property is re-inspected
2) Property with no
• If still out of compliance a work
structure fails the order is sent to the County's
inspection contractor
• Property is abated
Owner is charged 2 inspection
fees, a non-compliant parcel fee,
cost of abatement, and an
administrative fee.
Property does not meet MFSS:
• Consent notice sent to owner
with 2-week correction deadline
3.A) Property with • Property is re-inspected
a structure fails • If still out of compliance and
consent is given a work order is
the inspection - sent to the County's contractor
Consent Given • Property is abated
Owner is charged 2 inspection
fees, a non-compliant parcel
fee, cost of abatement, and an
administrative fee.
9 • Property does not meet MFSS:
• Consent notice sent to owner with 2-
week correction deadline
3.B) Property with • Property is re-inspected
• If still out of compliance and consent
a structure fails s NOT given the County will seek a
varrant from the cour
the inspection - • A work order is sent to the County's Consent Not Given contractor
• Property is abated
abatement, an minstrative tol
and a warrant fee.
10 • When a property is out of
compliance with MFSS, but is not on
the Weed Abatement Program List
a) County receives a complaint
b) Inspector sees a property while
driving around
• Warning letter is sent to the owner
giving them 2 weeks to correct the
Warning Letters
violation
• Property owner may send proof of
corrective actions, or an inspector
may re-inspect
• If property is still out of compliance
after 2 weeks, they will be added to
the next year's list
11 Quarterly Weed Abatement Task
Group Meetings
• Discuss status of program and upcoming
projects/tasks
• Increased transparency with partner
jurisdictions
Collaborative Increased collaboration with
Efforts with property owners
• New ways for property owners to interact
Stakeholders with us through an extended opportunity
for voluntary compliance
Outreach and Education
• In-person outreach events
• Updated brochure
• Updated website
12 New fee schedule for
2026
Fees approved by County Board
of Supervisors 1/13/26
Fee Name Fee Amount
Inspection Fee $296
Non-Compliant $953
Parcel Fee
Administrative Fee $1,383
Warrant Fee $3,006
13 Code Enforcement Inspections
• During the week of March 16, 2026, City Code Enforcement visited the twenty (20) new properties that were added to the County Commencement Report this year.
• Photos were taken of each property to demonstrate their current state. • Based on the City's re-inspections, Code Enforcement is recommending that four (4) of the new properties be removed from the Commencement Report due to demonstrating recent compliance. 187 Avenida del Carmen 2598 Dixon Drive
1037 Harrison Street 676 Malarin Avenue
City of
Santa Clara
14 Avenues for Assistance
• Property owners may reach out to the County of Santa Clara Weed Abatement Program at: Phone: (408) 282-3145, Email: [email protected] • Overgrown vegetation complaints may be filed directly with the County Program: https://weedabatement.santaclaracounty.gov/report-overgrown- vegetation-fire-hazard
• Or the City of Santa Clara: https://www.santaclaraca.gov/services/make-a- service-request/submit-a-request-online
• Senior Assist Program in the City of Santa Clara:
https://www.santaclarafirefighters.org/in-your-community/our-programs/senior- assist
City of
Santa Clara
The Contrat Wins N
15 Recommended Action
• Determine the proposed actions are exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15308 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment) of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations.
• Accept the recommendation from the City's Code Enforcement for the removal of the four (4) properties who have demonstrated compliance from the County's 2026 Commencement Report;
Accordance with City Code Chapter 8.15 and in Association with the County Weed Abatement Program.
City of 16
Santa Clara
16 Questions?
Available for Questions:
Fire Department
Deputy Chief Jenn Panko & Fire Marshal Jake Tomlin
Code Enforcement
Planning Manager Lesley Xavier
County Weed Abatement
Program Manager Garik losilevsky
City of
Santa Clara 17
The Centerol Win loss ter
17