WEED ABATEMENT STANDARDS (English)
The following are minimum abatement standards. The City of Fresno may require additional or more stringent abatement on certain properties because of special problems with terrain, land use, growth, location, or the fire history of the property. These standards apply to all weeds, grass or other vegetation that is normally dry during the year, particularly in the summer, and all combustible rubbish. These standards shall apply to all vacant and unimproved lots throughout the year, including those lots with vacant structures.
All Properties
Include any alley, sidewalk, park strip, or unimproved public easement abutting the property.
- Remove all rubbish, trash, trimmings, litter, tires and combustible waste material.
- Disc all weeds, grass, brush, or other combustible vegetation according to the discing standards set forth below on parcels under five (5) acres.
- Remove all grass and other cuttings after mowing, hoeing or cutting.
- Remove all sagebrush, chaparral, tumbleweeds, and any other brush or weeds which attain such large growth as to become, when dry, a fire menace to adjacent improved property. Tumbleweeds shall be removed from the property on a year-round basis.
Discing Standards
All discing work shall be completed so that all weeds, grass, crops or other vegetation or organic material which could be expected to burn shall be substantially turned over so there is insufficient fuel to sustain or allow the spread of fire. Handwork, including mowing, weed-eating or hoeing, may be utilized for the removal of weeds along fence lines where discing may not be possible, so that these areas are free and clear of growth and dead vegetation.
Parcels Over Five (5) Acres
In lieu of discing the entire parcel, firebreaks may be provided in such a manner that no single fire area shall exceed five (5) acres. Firebreaks shall be a continuous strip of land which is clear of all combustible weeds, grass, stubble, rubbish, or other material which would allow the travel of fire. Firebreaks may include fire-resistive vegetation, such as irrigated crops, ice plant, green ivy, and other live plants recognized by the City of Fresno as being fire-resistive.
- Provide 30 foot wide firebreaks around all combustible structures and storage.
- Provide 30 foot wide firebreaks along each side of all roads accessible to the public and around all brush areas.
- Provide 15 foot wide firebreaks along each side of all fence (property) lines, ditches and creeks. Any parcel which is adjacent to developed property must have 30 foot wide firebreaks along the fence (property) lines.
- Graded fire roads (not less than 15 feet in width) may be done in lieu of 15 feet of width of disced firebreaks where specifically approved by the City of Fresno.
- Abandoned orchards, vineyards etc, shall be completely abated. No firebreaks shall be allowed.
- Non-irrigated pasture land being used for grazing must have 30 foot wide firebreaks with substantial cross-discing.
Please note that, should a fire occur due to the lack of weed and debris removal, the Fire Department may charge you for the firefighting costs the City incurs.