Help Protect Our Community from Wildfires

Weed Abatement
Weed abatement requirements will be enforced following the start of Fire Season which is declared by the State Fire Marshal

Weed Abatement Program/ Fire Season Update (as of 3.13.20)


 

The Fire Season for 2020 has not yet been declared by the State Fire Marshal. This webpage will be updated when Fire Season has been declared. Upon the declaration of Fire Season the Fire Department staff will begin conducting inspections of applicable parcels to ensure they are in compliance with the requirements of Chapter 9-08 of the City Code regarding abatement of Weeds and Rubbish.

City Council Resolution RES-2017-028 establishes the following requirements to comply with this section of City Code: Property owners must cut weeds and grasses that are over four inches in height on their property if the property is located within the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), is a vacant lot including those in the fire rebuild area, or if the property contains more than a half-acre of unimproved land. Weeds and vegetation will likely grow back throughout the late spring and summer months, and property owners will need to ensure their parcels remain in compliance until the fire season is declared over. The Fire Department will enforce compliance throughout the fire season per City Ordinance No. 3681.

We encourage all parcel owners to proactively comply in advance of the Fire Season and maintain your parcel throughout the year.

 
In addition to weed abatement, there are many other steps that property owners can take to make their property fire-safe. For more information, visit: 

Weed Abatement Program & Ordinance Overview 

To help reduce the threat of fires during fire season, the City of Santa Rosa has a Weed Abatement Ordinance (Ordinance No. 3681) that requires property owners to cut weeds and grasses that are over four inches in height once fire season is declared, and maintain that level of compliance throughout the duration of the season. 

The ordinance applies to owners of any of the following:

  • Undeveloped properties (vacant lots) including those in the fire rebuild areas
  • All developed properties over .5 acres with over .5 acres of unimproved land
  • All properties located in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Area  

Santa Rosa Fire Department staff will begin conducting weed abatement inspections of parcels on June 12th and will continue inspections throughout the fire season. Owners of properties that do not take action to comply may be subject to a violation and abated by the City of Santa Rosa Fire Department. The costs will be the responsibility of the property owner (per City Ordinance No. 3681.)

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to fire prevention. Your diligence in maintaining your property for your own personal safety and and the safety of the community is appreciated.

Vegetation Management

Weed abatement and vegetation management are not one in the same.  For information on Vegetation Management, please visit the WUI & Vegetation Management page.

Properties within Tubbs and Nuns Fire Rebuild Areas

Parcels located within the October 2017 wildfires burn scar areas, that have yet begun rebuilding, will be considered vacant/undeveloped land and will be required to comply with the weed abatement ordinance. This will help to ensure the safety of our community as we approach fire season and reduce the risk associated with drying seasonal grasses within the rebuild areas.

Weed Abatement on City-Maintained Properties

The abatement of weeds on city-maintained parcels, including parks and open space within the WUI, has started and will continue into the fire season. The schedule for abating weeds on City-maintained property prioritizes addressing areas of high-fire threat first. Therefore, you may observe unsightly weeds and high grass in lower priority areas — outside of the wildland urban interface — for longer periods of time.

Report a Weed Abatement Nuisance

To report a weed abatement nuisance, follow the below steps.

1. Download and complete the Weed Abatement Complaint Form (PDF)

  • All complaints must be filed in writing. 
  • Including photos with the complaint form is helpful.
  • The information provided will be kept confidential. 


2. Choose one of the following methods to submit the form to the Santa Rose Fire Department:

  • Fax:        707-543-3520
  • Email:    weeds@srcity.org
  • Mail to:   City of Santa Rosa Weed Abatement Program
                         2373 Circadian Way
                         Santa Rosa, CA 95407

Weed Abatement staff respond to each complaint; however, they may not follow up with you unless they have questions. Complaints received after the declaration of Fire Season will be reviewed to see if the parcel meets the criteria as noted above and followed up on if applicable. If the complaint does not meet the criteria, it will be forwarded to Code Enforcement for investigation. In addition, due to laws prohibiting illegal searches, inspectors will not look over fences, climb fences, enter a backyard or enter a residence to confirm weed complaints. All weed violations must be visible from the street and must be in the City of Santa Rosa's jurisdiction.