Staff Report with attachments
PREPARED BY: Meredith Johnston
Administrative Technician
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, Town Attorney, Interim Finance Director, and
Acting Director of Parks and Public Works
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 406-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 08/02/2022 ITEM NO: 16
DATE: July 15, 2022
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Consider Objections to the 2022 Weed Abatement Program Assessment
Report and Adopt a Resolution Confirming the Report and Authorizing
Collection of the Assessment Charges
RECOMMENDATION:
Consider objections to the 2022 Weed Abatement Program Assessment Report (Attachment 1)
and adopt a resolution (Attachment 2) confirming the report and authorizing collection of the
assessment charges.
BACKGROUND:
The Weed Abatement Program is a different, but complimentary program to the Brush
Abatement Program, that works to protect the Town by preventing fire hazards created by
vegetative growth and the accumulation of combustible debris with the goal of voluntary
compliance.
The Town of Los Gatos Municipal Code Chapter 11, Article II et seq requires property owners to
prevent potential fire hazards based on the California Health & Safety Code to provide
protection for the property and any nearby structures by clearing hazards according to
Minimum Fire Safety Standards. It also authorizes the County to remove the weeds if the
property owner fails to do so and to recover costs through an assessment on the property tax
bill for each parcel.
Typically, a property is placed in the program after a County inspector identifies a potential fire
hazard on the premises. Fire Departments, Code Enforcement, Public Works, and other public
agencies can also submit complaints to the County. Once a parcel is placed in the program, it
will remain until it displays compliance for three consecutive years, at which point it will be
removed.
PAGE 2 OF 3 SUBJECT: Consider Objections to the 2022 Weed Abatement Program Assessment Report and Adopt a Resolution Confirming the Report and Authorizing Collection of the Assessment Charges DATE: July 15, 2022
BACKGROUND (continued):
The Program is administered by the County on behalf of the Town and is funded from fees
assessed on the properties included on the assessment list. Every year while in the program,
each of the property owners are charged an annual compliance inspection fee and some incur
costs for additional inspections, administrative, and abatement fees.
On December 7, 2021, the Town Council passed Resolution 2021-057 (Attachment 3) declaring
hazardous vegetation (weeds) a public nuisance, providing for their abatement, and setting
January 18, 2022 as a public hearing date for the annual program. The County mailed property
owners a notice of the January 18, 2022 Public Hearing for the Los Gatos jurisdiction along with
guidelines on the Los Gatos Weed Abatement Program.
DISCUSSION:
The 2022 Weed Abatement Assessment Report list includes assessment charges for the annual
compliance inspection fee of $91, and any additional inspection, administrative, and abatement
fees as described in Attachment 4. The attached resolution affirms these costs and
acknowledges the costs will be assessed by the County Tax Collector against the respective
properties.
The Town of Los Gatos mailed property owners a notice of the August 2, 2022 Public Hearing
for the Los Gatos jurisdiction, including detailed information on the assessment charges and
contact information for potential questions pertaining to the assessments (Attachment 5). This
public hearing is an opportunity to allow property owners who are on the assessment report to
object to the assessment.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends that the Council conduct a public hearing to consider objections to the 2022
Weed Abatement Program Assessment Report and adopt a resolution confirming the report
and authorizing collection of the assessment charges.
COORDINATION:
This program has been coordinated with the County's Consumer and Environmental Protection
Agency (CEPA) - Weed Abatement Program.
PAGE 3 OF 3 SUBJECT: Consider Objections to the 2022 Weed Abatement Program Assessment Report and Adopt a Resolution Confirming the Report and Authorizing Collection of the Assessment Charges DATE: July 15, 2022
FISCAL IMPACT:
The County’s Weed Abatement Program administers services for 13 local agencies which
operates on a 100% cost recovery basis, and, the County has confirmed it is able to obtain cost
recovery through assessments on parcels that are in the 2022 Weed Abatement Program.
Funds have been provided in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021/22 and 2022/23 for the 2022 Weed
Abatement Program, which crosses fiscal years. The Operating Budget will cover the cost of
publishing all required legal notices.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
Attachments:
1. 2022 Weed Abatement Program Assessment Report.
2. Resolution 2022-XXX Confirming the Report and Authorizing Collection of the Assessment
Charges.
3. Resolution 2021-057 Declaring Hazardous Vegetation (Weeds) a Public Nuisance and
Providing for their Abatement.
4. County Letter to Property Owners (December).
5. Town Letter to Property Owners (July).
This Page Intentionally Left Blank
APN OWNERS ADDRESS
TAXROLL
AMT
831 POLLARD 406-26-011 LAM MITCHELL $596.00
CALLE MARGUERITA 409-04-049 GUPTA MOHIT AND APAN PARUL $91.00
409-08-001 UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD $10,092.00
17291 WEDGEWOOD 409-14-013 KIM YOUNG CHANG AND TAI HYUN TRUSTEE $91.00
14330 LA RINCONADA 409-14-020 GERA NICHOLAS TRUSTEE & ET AL $91.00
14341 BROWNS 409-14-035 KOWITZ MICHAEL D TRUSTEE $596.00
14316 MULBERRY 409-15-005 SAWHNEY CHANDANDEEP AND BHATIA MONTY $91.00
17631 WEDGEWOOD 409-17-010 BELCHER PHYLLIS TRUSTEE $596.00
14821 GOLF LINKS 409-27-005 NEAL WALTER E JR TRUSTEE $596.00
16245 BURTON 424-06-115 SWENSON C B TRUSTEE $91.00
BURTON 424-06-116 SWENSON C B TRUSTEE $91.00
14823 LOS GATOS 424-07-065 14823 LGB LLC $596.00
14926 LOS GATOS 424-10-009 TSAI DAVID Y AND UNDINE Y TRUSTEE $596.00
15545 BENEDICT 424-20-008 NELSON VICTORIA A $91.00
15710 WINCHESTER 424-27-013 DONNELLY TESSA I ET AL $596.00
LAUREL 510-41-068 GERTRIDGE JOHN H ET AL $91.00
72 FAIRVIEW PLAZA 510-43-010 MURPHY ROBERT J $91.00
110 WOOD 510-47-038 COVIA COMMUNITIES $596.00
138 WOOD 510-47-044 FRENKEL LILY M AND DRAA JUSTIN S $91.00
779 BLOSSOM HILL 523-04-037 BLANTON LOUISE C TRUSTEE $91.00
15931 BLOSSOM HILL 523-25-028 TERRY NAKA K $91.00
263 PINEHURST 523-43-019 GORMAN ROBERT L AND THERESA A $91.00
15941 QUAIL HILL 527-02-006 KHOSRAVI ARVIN AND MOZAFAR FIROUZEH J TRUST $91.00
72 DRYSDALE 527-02-007 DIEP JOHN AND ALLISON $91.00
15790 BLOSSOM HILL 527-07-006 TAI CHAIN CHANG AND HOH BAO LIAN $91.00
16084 GREENRIDGE 527-15-002 LUU RICHARD T $91.00
LARGA VISTA 527-16-013 GUEVARA MARIA E TRUSTEE & ET AL $1,645.00
14960 LARGA VISTA 527-16-016 PROUTY PAUL ROBERT AND KYMBERLY KAY TRUSTEE $91.00
14850 BLOSSOM HILL 527-18-014 O'DEEGAN STEVE $91.00
2022 WEED ABATEMENT PROGRAM
ASSESSMENT REPORT
CITY OF LOS GATOS
SITUS
Attachment 1
401 SURMONT 527-20-002 BATE ROSEMARY S $7,538.81
175 BELWOOD GATEWAY 527-30-032 HOUGH JUSTIN TRUSTEE $596.00
ALTA TIERRA 527-55-042 OHM VICTOR J AND VANNA J $91.00
118 HARWOOD 527-56-020 SIU MARIAN Y TRUSTEE $91.00
112 HARWOOD 527-57-008 CHANG WEICHAU AND YISHAN Y $91.00
615 BLOSSOM HILL 529-16-026 DUNN PROPERTIES LP ETAL $596.00
BELLA VISTA 529-21-010 MASTERSON ANTHONY D ET AL $91.00
BELLA VISTA 529-23-015 PETERS JAKE C AND KATHERINE H TRUSTEE $1,697.80
BELLA VISTA 529-23-016 ROSS DANIEL LEE TRUSTEE $1,697.80
401 ALBERTO 529-23-018 LP ACQUISITIONS LLC $596.00
BELLA VISTA 529-23-019 HARLAN MARILYN S TRUSTEE $91.00
BELLA VISTA 529-23-020 SHANKER BENJAMIN J AND SHARI ET AL $91.00
529-29-065 DOUGLAS-KIDDER VASILIKI TRUSTEE $91.00
RESERVOIR 529-29-066 DOUGLAS-KIDDER VASILIKI TRUSTEE $557.00
140 FOSTER 529-37-015 MULLANEY, STEVE & LIZ $91.00
(VACANT)529-39-047 ST WARD PROPS LP $2,269.00
16461 KENNEDY 532-17-027 WALL RYAN COMFORT TRUSTEE & ET AL $857.00
15876 SHANNON 537-26-009 LIVE WELL HOMES INC $944.00
15760 SHANNON 537-26-018 KELLERMANN MARC ET AL $1,270.70
1 of 2
Resolution 2022- August 2, 2022
Attachment 2
RESOLUTION 2022-
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
ADOPTING REPORT DESCRIBING PARCELS OF REAL PROPERTY,
AND SHOWING AMOUNT OF HAZARDOUS VEGETATION (WEEDS)
ABATEMENT ASSESSMENTS TO BE COLLECTED ON THE
SECURED PROPERTY TAX ROLL OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS IN
THE COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA, FOR 2022
WHEREAS, the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos, pursuant to Sections 39501 and
39502 of the Government Code of the State of California, has adopted by ordinance a procedure
for the abatement of hazardous vegetation (weeds) and the collection of the charges therefore
on the tax roll, as contained in Chapter 11, Article II, Sections 11.20.010 through
11.20.45 of the Los Gatos Town Code; and
WHEREAS, pursuant thereto, Resolution No. 2021-057 declaring weeds a public nuisance
and providing for their abatement, was adopted by the Town Council on December 7, 2021; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to notice duly and regularly given, the public hearing was held with
respect thereto on January 18, 2022, considering objections to the proposed abatement of
hazardous vegetation (weeds) for properties listed on the 2022 Weed Abatement
Commencement Report and ordering abatement of weeds as a public nuisance, was adopted by
the Town Council; and
WHEREAS, a written report has been filed with the Town Clerk of the Town of Los Gatos,
containing a description of each parcel of real property, and showing the amount of the charge
to be collected on the secured property tax roll with respect thereto, computed in conformity
with the charges prescribed by said ordinance; and
WHEREAS, the Town Clerk has set the 2nd day of August 2022, utilizing teleconferencing,
as the time and place when and where said Town Council would hear and consider all objections
or protest, if any, to said report.
RESOLVED, by the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos, County of Santa Clara, State of
California, that the Town Council does hereby find and declare:
1. That notice of said public hearing was duly and regularly published and given as
required by Section 11.20.035 of the Los Gatos Town Code and as otherwise
required by law; and
2 of 2
Resolution 2022- August 2, 2022
Attachment 2
2. All persons desiring to be heard during said hearing were given an opportunity to
do so, all matters and things pertaining to said report were fully heard and
considered by the Town Council, and all protests and objections, if any, are hereby
overruled.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that said report, and each charge thereon, with any charges that
may be noted on the face of said report pursuant to action taken by this Town Council, is hereby
confirmed and approved.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the charges are affirmed and shall be assessed against the real
properties listed on the property tax bill if not sooner paid.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Los
Gatos, California, held on the 2nd day of August 2022, by the following vote:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
SIGNED:
MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
DATE: __________________
ATTEST:
TOWN CLERK OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
DATE: __________________
Attachment 3
Attachment 4
County of Santa Clara
Consumer and Environmental Protection Agency
Weed Abatement Division
1553 Berger Drive
Building 1
San Jose, CA 95112
(408) 282-3145
Fax (408) 286-2460
Board of Supervisors: Mike Wasserman, Cindy Chavez, Otto Lee, Susan Ellenberg, S. Joseph Simitian
County Executive: Jeffrey V. Smith
November 24, 2021
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ABATE WEEDS
Dear Property Owner:
To protect your property and the surrounding area from possible fire, your jurisdiction (city or County if in
unincorporated areas) contracts with the County of Santa Clara to operate a Weed Abatement Program.
You are receiving this notice and information because our staff has determined that your parcel is part of
this Program. Please read the information carefully and contact us for clarification or additional
information.
Your jurisdiction has or will adopt a resolution declaring your property as one that may contain fire hazards
from weeds or other debris. Following this action, your jurisdiction will conduct a public hearing to
consider an abatement order which would require you to remove any hazardous vegetation or combustible
debris prior to the deadline in the attached abatement schedule. The public hearing will be held on the date
and at the place stated in the attached notice and provides an opportunity for you to raise any objections or
concerns with this requirement.
If you believe your parcel includes an environmentally sensitive habitat, please check the box and provide
additional information on the reply form to assist us in determining the best approach to abating your
property.
If, after the public hearing, the Weed Abatement Program is approved for your property, the County is
authorized by your city and the California Health and Safety Code sections 14875-14922 to inspect your
property to confirm that the property has been cleared of hazards according to Minimum Fire Safety
Standards (see enclosed brochure). Inspections will begin after the abatement deadline for your jurisdiction.
This notice does not relieve you of your responsibility to complete the necessary work prior to the deadline
for your jurisdiction. You will be responsible for an annual fee of $91 to cover the cost of this compliance
inspection.
If you fail to complete the abatement work prior to our inspection of your property, you will be responsible
for an inspection fee of $505 per parcel, and your property will be scheduled for abatement by the County
contractor. You will be assessed a County administrative fee of $858 per parcel plus the County’s cost of
abatement if the County completes this work. If you complete the abatement work before the County
contractor, you will not incur further charges.
The County will use the least costly method of abatement considering the physical characteristics of your
property and any other environmental or related concerns. Fees are detailed in the attached price list. The
total amount will be included as a special assessment on your property tax bill following confirmation of
the charges by your city or the County if parcel is not in a city at a public hearing?. This hearing would be
scheduled in late spring/summer 2021 with the exact date determined by your jurisdiction. Jurisdictions
DocuSign Envelope ID: 4595F553-AD7F-4597-9C90-CF5048E5D0B4
post hearing information at a physical location (typically at a city hall building or other government center
and most jurisdictions also publish this information on their websites) at least three days prior to the
meeting.
You can avoid all costs, other than the annual compliance fee, by completing the abatement work
yourself according to Minimum Fire Safety Standards (see enclosed brochure) prior to the abatement
deadline for your jurisdiction and maintaining the Minimum Fire Safety Standards for the duration
of fire season, which typically runs March Through October. Parcels will be removed from the
program after three consecutive years of voluntary compliance (work completed by property owner
prior to the deadline and confirmed by our inspection).
In preparation for this program, please complete and return the enclosed Reply Form by January 15, 2021so
we are notified of your plans for abating your property.
If you designate in your reply that you intend to abate the weeds yourself, you need to complete the
abatement before the deadline listed on the attached abatement schedule and maintain fire safe
conditions for the duration of the fire season. Responding that you intend to provide maintenance
yourself does not release you from this responsibility to have the maintenance completed before your
deadline and repeated as necessary to maintain Minimum Fire Safe Standards. The County will abate
hazardous vegetation as required after the deadline for your jurisdiction at your cost.
Enclosed you will find the following information:
Reply Form specific to your property. Please complete and return by January 15, 2021.
Notice to Destroy Weeds informing you of an upcoming public meeting (that you must attend
if you have any objections to the proposed removal of hazardous vegetation or debris from
your property. Your Jurisdiction may offer the ability for you to participate in this meeting
virtually; please confirm directly with your jurisdiction.
Weed Abatement Program Schedule for your city with current County abatement fees.
County of Santa Clara Weed Abatement Brochure.
Please be aware that any abatement performed by the County must comply with all applicable regulations.
If your property falls within an area designated as possible habitat for burrowing owls or any other protected
species of bird or animal, the methods used to remove vegetation may be regulated by specific laws or local
ordinances.
If you are no longer the owner of the property identified by this mailing, please notify us immediately at
(408) 282-3145. If you sell your property after the date of this letter, it is your responsibility to notify the
new owner and to include the obligation to pay any abatement costs in your agreement of sale. Without
taking this action, you will be responsible for all hazard abatement charges assessed to the property.
Our goals are voluntary compliance with the Minimum Fire Safety Standards and all properties remain safe
from fire. If you have any questions or need on-site advice to help you achieve compliance with the
Minimum Fire Standards, please call us at (408) 282-3145.
Sincerely,
Jo Zientek, Director
Consumer and Environmental Protection Agency
DocuSign Envelope ID: 4595F553-AD7F-4597-9C90-CF5048E5D0B4
(over)
TRA 03 Notice to
Destroy
Weeds
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on December 7, 2021, pursuant to the provisions of Section 11.20.020 of the Town Code of the Town of Los Gatos, the Town Council of said Town adopted a
Resolution declaring that all weeds growing upon any private property or in any street, sidewalk or
alley, as defined in Section 11.20.020 of such code, constitute a public nuisance, which nuisance must be abated by the destruction or removal thereof. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that property owners shall within thirty days after the adoption of
such resolution, or within the time specified in a written agreement with the Director of Parks and
Public Works of the Town of Los Gatos, or the Director of Parks and Pubic Works' representative, whichever time shall be later, remove all such weeds from their property, the abutting sidewalks, and the abutting half of the street in front, and alleys, if any, behind such property, and between the lot lines thereof as extended, or such weeds will be destroyed or removed and such nuisance abated by
the Town of Los Gatos, in which case the cost of such destruction or removal will be assessed upon the lots and lands from which, or from the front or rear of which, such weeds shall have been destroyed or removed; and such cost will constitute a lien upon such lots or lands until paid, and will be collected upon the next tax roll upon which general municipal taxes are collected. All property owners having any objections to the proposed destruction or removal of such weeds are hereby notified to attend a
meeting of the Town Council of such Town to be held in the Council Chambers of said Town at 110 East Main Street, Los Gatos, California, on Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 7:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter can be heard, when their objections will be heard and given due consideration. The language and format for this notice is required by California Health and Safety Code Sections
14891 Et. Seq.
(over)
LOS GATOS WEED ABATEMENT PROGRAM SCHEDULE January 18, 2022 Public hearing to consider objections to Abatement List.
April 15, 2022 PARCEL ABATEMENT DEADLINE Parcel must be free from hazardous vegetation by this date or Inspector will order abatement.
July-August, 2022 Assessment Hearing to protest abatement charges (Date subject to change, please confirm with City Clerk) 2022 COUNTY WEED ABATEMENT FEES
Properties in the Weed Abatement Program, you will be responsible for an annual inspection fee of $91.00 per parcel.
Please be advised that the property owner of any parcel found to be non-compliant on or after the April 15th deadline will be charged a processing fee of $505.00 and the property will be scheduled for abatement by the County contractor. If you complete the abatement work before the County contractor performs the abatement, you will not incur further charges. Should the abatement work be performed by a County contractor, you will be assessed the contractor’s charges plus a County administrative fee of $858.00 per parcel.
2022 COUNTY CONTRACTOR’S WEED ABATEMENT PRICE LIST A) Disc Work**
PARCEL SIZE: 1st Disc + 2nd Disc = Total Discs 0-12,500 sq.ft. $412.39 $165.79 $578.18 12,501sq.ft.- 43,560sq.ft. $412.39 $165.79 $578.18
Larger than 1 Acre $299.56 $146.30 $445.86 (PER ACRE)
** It is required that parcels be disced twice a year. The cost for the first discing is higher due to additional work normally required during the first discing.
B) HANDWORK $5.57 PER 100 Square Feet (SF) C) FLAIL 6 Foot Mower $7.11 PER 1,000 SF MOWING 12 Foot Mower $7.11 PER 1,000 SF D) LOADER WORK $170.40 PER HOUR E) DUMP TRUCK $157.29 PER HOUR F) BRUSH WORK $5.32 PER 100 SF G) DEBRIS REMOVAL $58.52 PER HOUR H) DUMP FEE 100% Added to orders with debris removal at 100% of the dump site charge. *Please note this program does not offer herbicide application as a method of abatement.
2022 Return Reply Form
IMPORTANT: Please complete this form and mail back to the Weed Abatement Program within 15 days of receipt of this notice. Thank you.
KAISER FOUNDATION HOSPITALS
TRA: 7-014
I llllll lllll 111111111 111111111111111 111111 11111 IIUI 1111101
KAISER FOUNDATION HOSPITALS
1 KAISER PLAZA 15TH FL
OAKLAND CA 94612
Parcel Number Site Address
316-09-045 3800 HOMESTEAD SANTA CLARA
Please check the box that
applies for each parcel (.see explanations below):
A B C
D D D
*316-09-045*
A I am no longer the owner of this property, and the new owner information is listed below. Please return Reply Form immediately.
B I intend to maintain this parcel in a manner consistent with the Minimum Fire Safety Standards from March 01, 2022 through the
end of the fire season (typically runs through October). All parcels on the abatement list remain subject to inspection to ascertain compliance. Non-compliance by the deadline will result in an inspection fee or the abatement of weeds by the County contractor and the resulting charges added to the property tax.
C I request that the County contractor perform weed abatement work on this parcel. Charges for this work will be added to my property tax bill. (All County fees apply)
Please provide any additional information such as new owners, presence of piping, irrigation, crops or other improvement. If your property is fenced/locked, please provide instructions on how to enter the property. If you are no longer the owner of the property identified by this mailing, please notify the County immediately. If you sell your property after December 1st, 2021, it is your responsibility to notify the new owner and to include the obligation to pay any abatement costs in your agreement of sale. Without taking this action, you will be liable for all hazard abatement charges assessed to the property. Thank you. D Please check if you feel this parcel is environmentaly sensitive.
Signature Name (please print) Date Day time phone
Sa
m
p
l
e
MINIMUM FIRE SAFETY STANDARDS (MFSS)
Fire Safety Through Vegetation Management
Fire Resistant Landscaping
Santa Clara County
Consumer and Environmental
Protection Agency
Weed Abatement Program
1553 Berger Drive #1
San Jose, Ca 95112
Phone (408) 282-3145
Fax: (408) 286-2460
SCC.WeedAbatement@cep.sccgov.org
1. Vegetation must not exceed 6 inches in height any time after the compliance deadline. 2. Maintain grasses and weeds below 6 inches for 10 feet horizontally on both sides of all roadways, including driveways and access routes. Roads and driveways must maintain a clearance of 10’ W by 13’6” H for all vegetation. 3. Clear flammable vegetation a minimum of 30 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 a 100 foot clearance. 4. 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. 5. 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. 6. Keep property clear of accumulation of combustible debris, such as trash, wood, and dead vegetation. Stacked firewood and neatly piled yard waste 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 away from chimneys. Trim tree branches up from the ground to provide at least 6 feet of vertical clearance. 9. Clear leaves, pine needles and debris from roof and gutters.
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
Shrubs: Bearberry Carmel Creeper Carolina Cherry Catalina Cherry
Escallonia Hopseed Bush Lemonade Berry
Groundcover: Aaron’s Beard Australian Daisy Candytuft Sterile Capeweed
Freeway Daisy Rock Rose (except Gum Variety)
The Santa Clara County Weed Abatement Program
The Santa Clara County Consumer and Environmental Protection Agency and your city are working together to protect your community from fire. We need your help. Please read and follow the directions provided in this brochure regarding fire prevention on your property. The purpose of the Weed Abatement Program is to prevent fire hazards posed by vegetative growth and the accumulation of combustible materials. The Weed Abatement program is entirely funded from fees charged to residents. Fees will be assessed for any property in the program. This is to 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 not be charged other than the annual fee. Program staff annually inspect parcels at the beginning of the fire season, which is typically in March or April depending on your jurisdiction. If the parcel is not in compliance at the time of inspection, the property owner will be charged a failed inspection fee, and the owner will be sent a courtesy notice as a reminder to abate the weeds. If the weeds are not abated by the property owner, the work will be completed by the County contractor. The property owner will pay the contractor’s fees plus a County administrative fee. All fees will be included in your property tax bill. Our Goal Is Voluntary Compliance
Property Owner’s Responsiblilities
• Do not allow a fire hazard to exist on your property. The Minimum Fire Safety Standards (MFSS) in this brochure give you guidelines to follow in order to maintain your property and protect against a fire hazard. Please contact our office if you need guidance or have any questions regarding the requirements!
• Make arrangements to have your property maintained throughout the year. Contractors can be found in the yellow pages. You may choose to have the County contractor maintain your property. A current price list is included in your packet.
• Please complete and return the Reply Form provided in your mailing packet by the date on the form. Indicate your preference regarding performance of weed abatement services.
Program Staff Responsibilities
• Weed Abatement Inspectors will perform periodic inspections on all parcels included in the Santa Clara County Weed Abatement Program. Properties that fail the compliance inspection will be charged a failed inspection fee, even if the resident completes the weed abatement.
• Inspectors will order the County contractor to perform all necessary abatement work on any parcel where the MFSS are not met. An attempt will be made to give the owner a courtesy notice prior to releasing the work order.
• The County contractor uses several methods of abatement including discing and handwork. The property owner is free to select whatever method they choose, provided the MFSS of all federal, state and local laws are met.
• The Weed Abatement Program will place inspection costs and the charges for County contractor services plus a County administrative fee on the property owner’s tax bill during the next fiscal year. Burrowing Owls
Frequently Asked Questions Q. Why have I received an Abatement Notice? A. Typically, a property is placed on the program if a Weed Abatement Inspector identified a potential fire hazard on the property. 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. All property owners are required to maintain their property free of fire hazards throughout the year. Q. The grasses planted on my property are fire resistant. Are they exempt from the Weed Abatement program? A. No. Even grasses that possess some fire resistant qualities are not fire proof, and they can add fuel to any site that is subject to a fire. Additionally, fire resistant grasses are rarely found in a pure, homogenous stand but rather are usually found to occur mixed with other common introduced annual grasses that are highly flammable and hazardous in a fire event. Finally, many grasses occur in Santa Clara County and species identification is difficult in the field, especially after the spring when the reproductive portions required for identification have dried and dispersed. Weed Abatement Inspectors can only focus on the presence of grasses and weeds on your property and the Minimum Fire Safety Standards, and not on grass species identification. Therefore, all grasses are required to be below 6 inches in height. Q. What is the SC County Weed Abatement Program? A. This is a monitoring program and our primary objective is voluntary compliance. See the first two paragraphs of this brochure for further specifics.
These small owls nest in abandoned ground squirrel burrows. Discing collapses the burrows and kills the young. These owls are listed as a state Species of Special Concern and are protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. If you suspect burrowing owls on your property you must use another form of weed abatement such as mowing or weed- eating. If you request the County perform abatement services, please notify program staff or your City if burrowing owls are known to exist on your property.
More FAQ:
Q. How long will I be on the Program?
A. Your property will remain on the Program for three years. If no hazards are found during that time, your property may be removed from the program.
Q. How much will this cost me?
A. There will be an annual fee to cover the cost of the compliance inspection. If the parcel does not meet the MFSS when it is first inspected in the spring, or if work is required by the County contractor, you will be charged additional fees. Our goal is to ensure that the MFSS are met at the lowest possible cost to the property owner.
Q. How will I be billed?
A. Any charges for the inspection and any abatement work performed will appear as a special assessment on your next property tax bill.
Q. Why have you performed work on my property while the vegetation is still green?
A. Grass, weeds or piles of combustible debris have been declared a public nuisance by your jurisdiction. Abating fire hazards in the spring minimizes the volume of combustible material before the hazards increase and dries out completely during the peak fire season.
Q. Will you notify me prior to beginning abatement work?
A. Property owners are responsible for preventing fire hazards on their property. If the MFSS have been met, but further work is necessary, you will receive notice prior to the County contractor performing the work. If the MFSS have not been met, an attempt will be made to give the owner a courtesy notice prior to initial abatement.
Q. Where can I find someone to provide abatement services?
A. Weed Abatement contractors can be found in the Yellow Pages under “Weed Control Services” or “Discing Services”. You may have the County contractor perform the necessary work; see your mailing packet for a current price list as administrative costs are charged.
Q. How can I get additional information or assistance regarding the specific requirements for my property?
A. Weed Abatement Inspectors are available to assist you and answer your questions. Please call our Customer Service line at (408) 282-3145 to schedule a consultation with program staff or to obtain additional information.
Q. I have Grazing Animals do I need to perform abatement?
A. Grazing animals do not absolve you of your responsibilities to provide a fire safe condition on your property. You will need to check with our office to determine if grazing is adequate or if additional work is required.
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PARKS AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
PHONE (408) 399-5770
July 12, 2022
RE: NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON AUGUST 2, 2022, AT 7:00 P.M. TO CONSIDER THE 2022
WEED ABATEMENT PROGRAM ASSESSMENT REPORT AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION
CONFIRMING THE REPORT AND AUTHORIZING COLLECTION OF THE ASSESSMENT
CHARGES
You are receiving this letter because you own a parcel that is included in the 2022 Weed
Abatement program. On December 7, 2021, the Town Council authorized the initiation of the
annual Weed Abatement program.
The Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos has scheduled a public hearing on August 2, 2022 to
consider the 2022 Weed Abatement Assessment Report and Adopt a Resolution Confirming the
Report and Authorizing the Collection of the Assessment Charges.
The attached Assessment Report reflects the charges that will be assessed on your tax roll.
A copy of the letter you received in December 2021 describing the charges is attached for your
reference.
If you have questions about the program or proposed charges, we encourage you to contact the
Santa Clara County Weed Abatement Department PRIOR to the public hearing at 408-282-3145.
By contacting the County (who manages the program for the Town), you will be able to discuss any
concerns you may have, with the intent of achieving resolution prior to the public hearing
procedure.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: This meeting is being conducted utilizing teleconferencing and electronic
means consistent with State of California Executive Order N-29-20 dated March 17, 2020,
regarding the COVID-19 pandemic; and in accordance with Executive Order N-29-20, the public may
only participate in the meeting on television and/or online and not in the Council Chambers.
When the meeting agenda is posted, it will include instructions for the participation in the public
process. The live stream of the meeting may be viewed on television and/or online at
www.LosGatosCA.gov/TownYouTube
Town Council reports related to the Weed Abatement program may be viewed on the Town’s
website at www.LosgatosCA.gov – under the Agenda & Minutes page. The Council dates that
contain these reports are December 7, 2021, January 18, 2022, and August 2, 2022 (8/2 will be
available for public review three days prior to the meeting).
SERVICE CENTER
41 MILES AVENUE
LOS GATOS, CA 95030
Attachment 5
Persons wishing to protest the proposed assessment report and/or collection of assessment
charges may do so by mailing the protest to the Town Clerk 110 E. Main Street, Los Gatos, CA
95030; emailing to the Town Clerk - Clerk@LosGatosCA.gov, or attending the public hearing by
teleconference and speaking. Any written protest must be received by the Town Clerk no later
than 11:00 a.m. on August 2, 2022, as described above. Protests must identify the grounds for the
protest, the person filing the protest, and the property owned by the person filing the protest.
All INTERESTED PERSONS are encouraged to appear at the Public Hearing and be heard. If anyone
wishes to challenge the action on the above application in court, they may be limited to raising only
those issues they or anyone else raised at the Public Hearing described in this notice, or in written
correspondence delivered to the Town Council at, or prior to, the Public Hearing. Deadline for all
written correspondence is 11:00 a.m. the day of the meeting.
Sincerely,
Meredith Johnston
Administrative Technician, Parks and Public Works
APN OWNERS ADDRESS
TAXROLL
AMT
831 POLLARD 406-26-011 LAM MITCHELL $596.00
CALLE MARGUERITA 409-04-049 GUPTA MOHIT AND APAN PARUL $91.00
409-08-001 UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD $10,092.00
17291 WEDGEWOOD 409-14-013 KIM YOUNG CHANG AND TAI HYUN TRUSTEE $91.00
14330 LA RINCONADA 409-14-020 GERA NICHOLAS TRUSTEE & ET AL $91.00
14341 BROWNS 409-14-035 KOWITZ MICHAEL D TRUSTEE $596.00
14316 MULBERRY 409-15-005 SAWHNEY CHANDANDEEP AND BHATIA MONTY $91.00
17631 WEDGEWOOD 409-17-010 BELCHER PHYLLIS TRUSTEE $596.00
14821 GOLF LINKS 409-27-005 NEAL WALTER E JR TRUSTEE $596.00
16245 BURTON 424-06-115 SWENSON C B TRUSTEE $91.00
BURTON 424-06-116 SWENSON C B TRUSTEE $91.00
14823 LOS GATOS 424-07-065 14823 LGB LLC $596.00
14926 LOS GATOS 424-10-009 TSAI DAVID Y AND UNDINE Y TRUSTEE $596.00
15545 BENEDICT 424-20-008 NELSON VICTORIA A $91.00
15710 WINCHESTER 424-27-013 DONNELLY TESSA I ET AL $596.00
LAUREL 510-41-068 GERTRIDGE JOHN H ET AL $91.00
72 FAIRVIEW PLAZA 510-43-010 MURPHY ROBERT J $91.00
110 WOOD 510-47-038 COVIA COMMUNITIES $596.00
138 WOOD 510-47-044 FRENKEL LILY M AND DRAA JUSTIN S $91.00
779 BLOSSOM HILL 523-04-037 BLANTON LOUISE C TRUSTEE $91.00
15931 BLOSSOM HILL 523-25-028 TERRY NAKA K $91.00
263 PINEHURST 523-43-019 GORMAN ROBERT L AND THERESA A $91.00
15941 QUAIL HILL 527-02-006 KHOSRAVI ARVIN AND MOZAFAR FIROUZEH J TRUST $91.00
72 DRYSDALE 527-02-007 DIEP JOHN AND ALLISON $91.00
15790 BLOSSOM HILL 527-07-006 TAI CHAIN CHANG AND HOH BAO LIAN $91.00
16084 GREENRIDGE 527-15-002 LUU RICHARD T $91.00
LARGA VISTA 527-16-013 GUEVARA MARIA E TRUSTEE & ET AL $1,645.00
14960 LARGA VISTA 527-16-016 PROUTY PAUL ROBERT AND KYMBERLY KAY TRUSTEE $91.00
14850 BLOSSOM HILL 527-18-014 O'DEEGAN STEVE $91.00
2022 WEED ABATEMENT PROGRAM
ASSESSMENT REPORT
CITY OF LOS GATOS
SITUS
401 SURMONT 527-20-002 BATE ROSEMARY S $7,538.81
175 BELWOOD GATEWAY 527-30-032 HOUGH JUSTIN TRUSTEE $596.00
ALTA TIERRA 527-55-042 OHM VICTOR J AND VANNA J $91.00
118 HARWOOD 527-56-020 SIU MARIAN Y TRUSTEE $91.00
112 HARWOOD 527-57-008 CHANG WEICHAU AND YISHAN Y $91.00
615 BLOSSOM HILL 529-16-026 DUNN PROPERTIES LP ETAL $596.00
BELLA VISTA 529-21-010 MASTERSON ANTHONY D ET AL $91.00
BELLA VISTA 529-23-015 PETERS JAKE C AND KATHERINE H TRUSTEE $1,697.80
BELLA VISTA 529-23-016 ROSS DANIEL LEE TRUSTEE $1,697.80
401 ALBERTO 529-23-018 LP ACQUISITIONS LLC $596.00
BELLA VISTA 529-23-019 HARLAN MARILYN S TRUSTEE $91.00
BELLA VISTA 529-23-020 SHANKER BENJAMIN J AND SHARI ET AL $91.00
529-29-065 DOUGLAS-KIDDER VASILIKI TRUSTEE $91.00
RESERVOIR 529-29-066 DOUGLAS-KIDDER VASILIKI TRUSTEE $557.00
140 FOSTER 529-37-015 MULLANEY, STEVE & LIZ $91.00
(VACANT)529-39-047 ST WARD PROPS LP $2,269.00
16461 KENNEDY 532-17-027 WALL RYAN COMFORT TRUSTEE & ET AL $857.00
15876 SHANNON 537-26-009 LIVE WELL HOMES INC $944.00
15760 SHANNON 537-26-018 KELLERMANN MARC ET AL $1,270.70
County of Santa Clara
Consumer and Environmental Protection Agency
Weed Abatement Division
1553 Berger Drive
Building 1
San Jose, CA 95112
(408) 282-3145
Fax (408) 286-2460
Board of Supervisors: Mike Wasserman, Cindy Chavez, Otto Lee, Susan Ellenberg, S. Joseph Simitian
County Executive: Jeffrey V. Smith
November 24, 2021
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ABATE WEEDS
Dear Property Owner:
To protect your property and the surrounding area from possible fire, your jurisdiction (city or County if in
unincorporated areas) contracts with the County of Santa Clara to operate a Weed Abatement Program.
You are receiving this notice and information because our staff has determined that your parcel is part of
this Program. Please read the information carefully and contact us for clarification or additional
information.
Your jurisdiction has or will adopt a resolution declaring your property as one that may contain fire hazards
from weeds or other debris. Following this action, your jurisdiction will conduct a public hearing to
consider an abatement order which would require you to remove any hazardous vegetation or combustible
debris prior to the deadline in the attached abatement schedule. The public hearing will be held on the date
and at the place stated in the attached notice and provides an opportunity for you to raise any objections or
concerns with this requirement.
If you believe your parcel includes an environmentally sensitive habitat, please check the box and provide
additional information on the reply form to assist us in determining the best approach to abating your
property.
If, after the public hearing, the Weed Abatement Program is approved for your property, the County is
authorized by your city and the California Health and Safety Code sections 14875-14922 to inspect your
property to confirm that the property has been cleared of hazards according to Minimum Fire Safety
Standards (see enclosed brochure). Inspections will begin after the abatement deadline for your jurisdiction.
This notice does not relieve you of your responsibility to complete the necessary work prior to the deadline
for your jurisdiction. You will be responsible for an annual fee of $91 to cover the cost of this compliance
inspection.
If you fail to complete the abatement work prior to our inspection of your property, you will be responsible
for an inspection fee of $505 per parcel, and your property will be scheduled for abatement by the County
contractor. You will be assessed a County administrative fee of $858 per parcel plus the County’s cost of
abatement if the County completes this work. If you complete the abatement work before the County
contractor, you will not incur further charges.
The County will use the least costly method of abatement considering the physical characteristics of your
property and any other environmental or related concerns. Fees are detailed in the attached price list. The
total amount will be included as a special assessment on your property tax bill following confirmation of
the charges by your city or the County if parcel is not in a city at a public hearing?. This hearing would be
scheduled in late spring/summer 2021 with the exact date determined by your jurisdiction. Jurisdictions
DocuSign Envelope ID: 4595F553-AD7F-4597-9C90-CF5048E5D0B4
post hearing information at a physical location (typically at a city hall building or other government center
and most jurisdictions also publish this information on their websites) at least three days prior to the
meeting.
You can avoid all costs, other than the annual compliance fee, by completing the abatement work
yourself according to Minimum Fire Safety Standards (see enclosed brochure) prior to the abatement
deadline for your jurisdiction and maintaining the Minimum Fire Safety Standards for the duration
of fire season, which typically runs March Through October. Parcels will be removed from the
program after three consecutive years of voluntary compliance (work completed by property owner
prior to the deadline and confirmed by our inspection).
In preparation for this program, please complete and return the enclosed Reply Form by January 15, 2021so
we are notified of your plans for abating your property.
If you designate in your reply that you intend to abate the weeds yourself, you need to complete the
abatement before the deadline listed on the attached abatement schedule and maintain fire safe
conditions for the duration of the fire season. Responding that you intend to provide maintenance
yourself does not release you from this responsibility to have the maintenance completed before your
deadline and repeated as necessary to maintain Minimum Fire Safe Standards. The County will abate
hazardous vegetation as required after the deadline for your jurisdiction at your cost.
Enclosed you will find the following information:
Reply Form specific to your property. Please complete and return by January 15, 2021.
Notice to Destroy Weeds informing you of an upcoming public meeting (that you must attend
if you have any objections to the proposed removal of hazardous vegetation or debris from
your property. Your Jurisdiction may offer the ability for you to participate in this meeting
virtually; please confirm directly with your jurisdiction.
Weed Abatement Program Schedule for your city with current County abatement fees.
County of Santa Clara Weed Abatement Brochure.
Please be aware that any abatement performed by the County must comply with all applicable regulations.
If your property falls within an area designated as possible habitat for burrowing owls or any other protected
species of bird or animal, the methods used to remove vegetation may be regulated by specific laws or local
ordinances.
If you are no longer the owner of the property identified by this mailing, please notify us immediately at
(408) 282-3145. If you sell your property after the date of this letter, it is your responsibility to notify the
new owner and to include the obligation to pay any abatement costs in your agreement of sale. Without
taking this action, you will be responsible for all hazard abatement charges assessed to the property.
Our goals are voluntary compliance with the Minimum Fire Safety Standards and all properties remain safe
from fire. If you have any questions or need on-site advice to help you achieve compliance with the
Minimum Fire Standards, please call us at (408) 282-3145.
Sincerely,
Jo Zientek, Director
Consumer and Environmental Protection Agency
DocuSign Envelope ID: 4595F553-AD7F-4597-9C90-CF5048E5D0B4
(over)
TRA 03 Notice to
Destroy
Weeds
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on December 7, 2021, pursuant to the provisions of Section 11.20.020 of the Town Code of the Town of Los Gatos, the Town Council of said Town adopted a
Resolution declaring that all weeds growing upon any private property or in any street, sidewalk or
alley, as defined in Section 11.20.020 of such code, constitute a public nuisance, which nuisance must be abated by the destruction or removal thereof. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that property owners shall within thirty days after the adoption of
such resolution, or within the time specified in a written agreement with the Director of Parks and
Public Works of the Town of Los Gatos, or the Director of Parks and Pubic Works' representative, whichever time shall be later, remove all such weeds from their property, the abutting sidewalks, and the abutting half of the street in front, and alleys, if any, behind such property, and between the lot lines thereof as extended, or such weeds will be destroyed or removed and such nuisance abated by
the Town of Los Gatos, in which case the cost of such destruction or removal will be assessed upon the lots and lands from which, or from the front or rear of which, such weeds shall have been destroyed or removed; and such cost will constitute a lien upon such lots or lands until paid, and will be collected upon the next tax roll upon which general municipal taxes are collected. All property owners having any objections to the proposed destruction or removal of such weeds are hereby notified to attend a
meeting of the Town Council of such Town to be held in the Council Chambers of said Town at 110 East Main Street, Los Gatos, California, on Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 7:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter can be heard, when their objections will be heard and given due consideration. The language and format for this notice is required by California Health and Safety Code Sections
14891 Et. Seq.
(over)
LOS GATOS WEED ABATEMENT PROGRAM SCHEDULE January 18, 2022 Public hearing to consider objections to Abatement List.
April 15, 2022 PARCEL ABATEMENT DEADLINE Parcel must be free from hazardous vegetation by this date or Inspector will order abatement.
July-August, 2022 Assessment Hearing to protest abatement charges (Date subject to change, please confirm with City Clerk) 2022 COUNTY WEED ABATEMENT FEES
Properties in the Weed Abatement Program, you will be responsible for an annual inspection fee of $91.00 per parcel.
Please be advised that the property owner of any parcel found to be non-compliant on or after the April 15th deadline will be charged a processing fee of $505.00 and the property will be scheduled for abatement by the County contractor. If you complete the abatement work before the County contractor performs the abatement, you will not incur further charges. Should the abatement work be performed by a County contractor, you will be assessed the contractor’s charges plus a County administrative fee of $858.00 per parcel.
2022 COUNTY CONTRACTOR’S WEED ABATEMENT PRICE LIST A) Disc Work**
PARCEL SIZE: 1st Disc + 2nd Disc = Total Discs 0-12,500 sq.ft. $412.39 $165.79 $578.18 12,501sq.ft.- 43,560sq.ft. $412.39 $165.79 $578.18
Larger than 1 Acre $299.56 $146.30 $445.86 (PER ACRE)
** It is required that parcels be disced twice a year. The cost for the first discing is higher due to additional work normally required during the first discing.
B) HANDWORK $5.57 PER 100 Square Feet (SF) C) FLAIL 6 Foot Mower $7.11 PER 1,000 SF MOWING 12 Foot Mower $7.11 PER 1,000 SF D) LOADER WORK $170.40 PER HOUR E) DUMP TRUCK $157.29 PER HOUR F) BRUSH WORK $5.32 PER 100 SF G) DEBRIS REMOVAL $58.52 PER HOUR H) DUMP FEE 100% Added to orders with debris removal at 100% of the dump site charge. *Please note this program does not offer herbicide application as a method of abatement.
2022 Return Reply Form
IMPORTANT: Please complete this form and mail back to the Weed Abatement Program within 15 days of receipt of this notice. Thank you.
KAISER FOUNDATION HOSPITALS
TRA: 7-014
I llllll lllll 111111111 111111111111111 111111 11111 IIUI 1111101
KAISER FOUNDATION HOSPITALS
1 KAISER PLAZA 15TH FL
OAKLAND CA 94612
Parcel Number Site Address
316-09-045 3800 HOMESTEAD SANTA CLARA
Please check the box that
applies for each parcel (.see explanations below):
A B C
D D D
*316-09-045*
A I am no longer the owner of this property, and the new owner information is listed below. Please return Reply Form immediately.
B I intend to maintain this parcel in a manner consistent with the Minimum Fire Safety Standards from March 01, 2022 through the
end of the fire season (typically runs through October). All parcels on the abatement list remain subject to inspection to ascertain compliance. Non-compliance by the deadline will result in an inspection fee or the abatement of weeds by the County contractor and the resulting charges added to the property tax.
C I request that the County contractor perform weed abatement work on this parcel. Charges for this work will be added to my property tax bill. (All County fees apply)
Please provide any additional information such as new owners, presence of piping, irrigation, crops or other improvement. If your property is fenced/locked, please provide instructions on how to enter the property. If you are no longer the owner of the property identified by this mailing, please notify the County immediately. If you sell your property after December 1st, 2021, it is your responsibility to notify the new owner and to include the obligation to pay any abatement costs in your agreement of sale. Without taking this action, you will be liable for all hazard abatement charges assessed to the property. Thank you. D Please check if you feel this parcel is environmentaly sensitive.
Signature Name (please print) Date Day time phone
Sa
m
p
l
e
MINIMUM FIRE SAFETY STANDARDS (MFSS)
Fire Safety Through Vegetation Management
Fire Resistant Landscaping
Santa Clara County
Consumer and Environmental
Protection Agency
Weed Abatement Program
1553 Berger Drive #1
San Jose, Ca 95112
Phone (408) 282-3145
Fax: (408) 286-2460
SCC.WeedAbatement@cep.sccgov.org
1. Vegetation must not exceed 6 inches in height any time after the compliance deadline. 2. Maintain grasses and weeds below 6 inches for 10 feet horizontally on both sides of all roadways, including driveways and access routes. Roads and driveways must maintain a clearance of 10’ W by 13’6” H for all vegetation. 3. Clear flammable vegetation a minimum of 30 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 a 100 foot clearance. 4. 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. 5. 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. 6. Keep property clear of accumulation of combustible debris, such as trash, wood, and dead vegetation. Stacked firewood and neatly piled yard waste 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 away from chimneys. Trim tree branches up from the ground to provide at least 6 feet of vertical clearance. 9. Clear leaves, pine needles and debris from roof and gutters.
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
Shrubs: Bearberry Carmel Creeper Carolina Cherry Catalina Cherry
Escallonia Hopseed Bush Lemonade Berry
Groundcover: Aaron’s Beard Australian Daisy Candytuft Sterile Capeweed
Freeway Daisy Rock Rose (except Gum Variety)
The Santa Clara County Weed Abatement Program
The Santa Clara County Consumer and Environmental Protection Agency and your city are working together to protect your community from fire. We need your help. Please read and follow the directions provided in this brochure regarding fire prevention on your property. The purpose of the Weed Abatement Program is to prevent fire hazards posed by vegetative growth and the accumulation of combustible materials. The Weed Abatement program is entirely funded from fees charged to residents. Fees will be assessed for any property in the program. This is to 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 not be charged other than the annual fee. Program staff annually inspect parcels at the beginning of the fire season, which is typically in March or April depending on your jurisdiction. If the parcel is not in compliance at the time of inspection, the property owner will be charged a failed inspection fee, and the owner will be sent a courtesy notice as a reminder to abate the weeds. If the weeds are not abated by the property owner, the work will be completed by the County contractor. The property owner will pay the contractor’s fees plus a County administrative fee. All fees will be included in your property tax bill. Our Goal Is Voluntary Compliance
Property Owner’s Responsiblilities
• Do not allow a fire hazard to exist on your property. The Minimum Fire Safety Standards (MFSS) in this brochure give you guidelines to follow in order to maintain your property and protect against a fire hazard. Please contact our office if you need guidance or have any questions regarding the requirements!
• Make arrangements to have your property maintained throughout the year. Contractors can be found in the yellow pages. You may choose to have the County contractor maintain your property. A current price list is included in your packet.
• Please complete and return the Reply Form provided in your mailing packet by the date on the form. Indicate your preference regarding performance of weed abatement services.
Program Staff Responsibilities
• Weed Abatement Inspectors will perform periodic inspections on all parcels included in the Santa Clara County Weed Abatement Program. Properties that fail the compliance inspection will be charged a failed inspection fee, even if the resident completes the weed abatement.
• Inspectors will order the County contractor to perform all necessary abatement work on any parcel where the MFSS are not met. An attempt will be made to give the owner a courtesy notice prior to releasing the work order.
• The County contractor uses several methods of abatement including discing and handwork. The property owner is free to select whatever method they choose, provided the MFSS of all federal, state and local laws are met.
• The Weed Abatement Program will place inspection costs and the charges for County contractor services plus a County administrative fee on the property owner’s tax bill during the next fiscal year. Burrowing Owls
Frequently Asked Questions Q. Why have I received an Abatement Notice? A. Typically, a property is placed on the program if a Weed Abatement Inspector identified a potential fire hazard on the property. 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. All property owners are required to maintain their property free of fire hazards throughout the year. Q. The grasses planted on my property are fire resistant. Are they exempt from the Weed Abatement program? A. No. Even grasses that possess some fire resistant qualities are not fire proof, and they can add fuel to any site that is subject to a fire. Additionally, fire resistant grasses are rarely found in a pure, homogenous stand but rather are usually found to occur mixed with other common introduced annual grasses that are highly flammable and hazardous in a fire event. Finally, many grasses occur in Santa Clara County and species identification is difficult in the field, especially after the spring when the reproductive portions required for identification have dried and dispersed. Weed Abatement Inspectors can only focus on the presence of grasses and weeds on your property and the Minimum Fire Safety Standards, and not on grass species identification. Therefore, all grasses are required to be below 6 inches in height. Q. What is the SC County Weed Abatement Program? A. This is a monitoring program and our primary objective is voluntary compliance. See the first two paragraphs of this brochure for further specifics.
These small owls nest in abandoned ground squirrel burrows. Discing collapses the burrows and kills the young. These owls are listed as a state Species of Special Concern and are protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. If you suspect burrowing owls on your property you must use another form of weed abatement such as mowing or weed- eating. If you request the County perform abatement services, please notify program staff or your City if burrowing owls are known to exist on your property.
More FAQ:
Q. How long will I be on the Program?
A. Your property will remain on the Program for three years. If no hazards are found during that time, your property may be removed from the program.
Q. How much will this cost me?
A. There will be an annual fee to cover the cost of the compliance inspection. If the parcel does not meet the MFSS when it is first inspected in the spring, or if work is required by the County contractor, you will be charged additional fees. Our goal is to ensure that the MFSS are met at the lowest possible cost to the property owner.
Q. How will I be billed?
A. Any charges for the inspection and any abatement work performed will appear as a special assessment on your next property tax bill.
Q. Why have you performed work on my property while the vegetation is still green?
A. Grass, weeds or piles of combustible debris have been declared a public nuisance by your jurisdiction. Abating fire hazards in the spring minimizes the volume of combustible material before the hazards increase and dries out completely during the peak fire season.
Q. Will you notify me prior to beginning abatement work?
A. Property owners are responsible for preventing fire hazards on their property. If the MFSS have been met, but further work is necessary, you will receive notice prior to the County contractor performing the work. If the MFSS have not been met, an attempt will be made to give the owner a courtesy notice prior to initial abatement.
Q. Where can I find someone to provide abatement services?
A. Weed Abatement contractors can be found in the Yellow Pages under “Weed Control Services” or “Discing Services”. You may have the County contractor perform the necessary work; see your mailing packet for a current price list as administrative costs are charged.
Q. How can I get additional information or assistance regarding the specific requirements for my property?
A. Weed Abatement Inspectors are available to assist you and answer your questions. Please call our Customer Service line at (408) 282-3145 to schedule a consultation with program staff or to obtain additional information.
Q. I have Grazing Animals do I need to perform abatement?
A. Grazing animals do not absolve you of your responsibilities to provide a fire safe condition on your property. You will need to check with our office to determine if grazing is adequate or if additional work is required.