Hazard Abatement Program

 

Tulare County LRA Defensible Space  & Minimum Weeds, Grass, and Rubbish abatement standards

The Hazard Abatement and Inspection program exist to address enforcement and safety issues and is not provided as a service. Property owners need to follow and meet the standards by their own effort or by hiring a private contractor. These standards apply to all parcels in the LRA and vacant parcels in established subdivisions in the SRA (foothills). Complaint Hotline is (559)802-9807. If you received a notice and have abated the hazard, please complete the (Hazard Abatement Compliance Form). If you received a notice and feel it is not a hazard and wish to request an Administration Review, please print, complete and send in the (Request for Administration Review form).

The hazard abatement standards are not a one-time observance. A property owner will likely need to have their property addressed more than once during the year in order to meet the standards. Although required throughout the year, it is extremely critical that properties be maintained during the high fire months, usually from April through October. For additional details regarding on Tulare Counties Ordinance on Fire Hazardous Weeds and Rubbish, please click the following link: Tulare County Ordinance.

Note: Parcels within a LRA Very High Severity Zone shall meet Government Code Section 51179 requirements. LRA Fire Hazard Severity Zone Viewer

  • Maintain defensible space of 100 feet from each side and from the front and rear of the structure, but not beyond the property line.
  • The intensity of fuels management may vary within the 100-foot perimeter of the structure, with more intense fuel reductions being used between 5 and 30 feet around the structure, and an ember-resistant zone being required within 5 feet of the structure.
  • Remove that portion of a tree that extends within 10 feet of the outlet of a chimney or stovepipe.
  • Maintain a tree, shrub, or other plant adjacent to or overhanging a building free of dead or dying wood.
  • Maintain the roof of a structure free of leaves, needles, or other vegetative materials.

LRA Severity Zones Moderate & High or areas not identified by California State Fire Marshals Office to have a severity zone: LRA Fire Hazard Severity Zone Viewer

Abatement Standard with NO structures (open lots):

A.        Parcels five acres or less in size:

Maintain ALL weeds and grass at a height of 3 inches or disc under growth so only dirt/soil remains.

B.        Parcels greater than five acres in size:

Shall have 30-foot fuelbreaks and 15-foot crossbreaks. Crossbreaks should divide the parcel into approximately 5-acre sections. Fence lines may require discing and mowing/weed eating to ensure completion of fuelbreak. All cut material should be mulched and scattered or raked and removed from property.

C.        Fuelbreaks along roadways & driveways:

Road right-of-ways & driveways shall be cleared to a minimum of 10 feet horizontally from the edge of the black top / cement.

       

Abatement Standards with Structures and Combustible Storage:

D.       30-foot fuelbreaks shall be provided around all structures and combustible storage.

E.       Mowed fuelbreaks and crossbreaks:

F.       Mowed fuelbreaks shall be 40 feet wide and mowed crossbreaks 20 feet wide at a height of 3 inches due to the ability of remaining surface material to sustain fire growth. All cut material should be mulched and scattered, or raked and removed from property.

G.       Rubbish: All rubbish shall be removed from property.

 

NOTE - SRA: Cal Fire regulates Defensible Space / vegetation abatement on County Parcels containing structures within the State Responsibility area (SRA), Please call Cal Fire (559)732-5954 in regards to these parcels.

Safety: All disking or mowing shall attempt to be completed before 10:00a.m. to limit the threat of fire danger due to the abatement operation. Public Resources Code PRC 4427 (b) (click here to see PRC 4427) Shall be followed for safety purposes.

Discing Quality All discing work, including firebreaks, and crossbreaks shall be completed so that all weeds, grass, and other vegetation, which could burn shall be completely turned under so there is not exposed fuel to maintain or allow the spread of fire.

All disking operations shall comply with San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District Rule 8051 (click here to see rule 8051) to limit dust emissions from open areas. The rule applies to any open areas 3.0 acres or more within rural areas. Weed abatement activity utilizing mowing, which leaves three inches of stubble, is exempt from this rule.