CC 01-17-2023 Item No. 27. Weed Abatement Program_Staff PresentationCupertino City Council
January 17, 2023
Weed Abatement Program
CC 01-17-2023 Item No. 27
Weed Abatement Program
●Prevents fire hazards from vegetative growth
and combustible materials
●Managed by the Santa Clara County
Department of Agriculture
●City Code 9.08 requires property owners to
remove or destroy weeds
●Compliance is required annually by April 30
and throughout the year
County Report
●Program list of properties that have been
non-compliant in removing weeds
●Properties remain on the list for three years
●Removed if found hazard free during that
time
●November 15, Council adopted Resolution
No. 22-138 accepting the County report
Owner Responsibilities
●Vegetation height must not exceed 6 inches
●Includes roadways and driveways
●Clear vegetation 30’ from structures
●Clear combustible debris
●Clear from under eaves of houses
●Trim tree branches 10’ from chimney
●Clear debris from roofs and gutters
Compliance
Before After
Compliance
Before After
Abatement Options
●Option 1: homeowner completes the required
work
●Option 2: authorized contractor completes
the work, charges appearing on next property
tax bill
Inspections
●April 30, County begins conducting property
inspections
●Every property in the program receives an initial
inspection
●Program is entirely cost recovery, so every property
is charged an inspection fee
●Initial inspection fee is waived for parcels that pass
inspection
●Waived fees are billed to the City instead of
property owner
Initial Inspection Fees
Supplemental Costs
●November 2020, Council budget appropriation of
$8,046 (ongoing) in the General Fund
●Covers the costs of parcels that will pass the initial
inspection
●Budget modification will be requested for costs
exceeding allocation amount
2021 (Actual) 2022 (Actual) 2023 (Estimate)
$7,896 $10,465 $10,212
Notice to Property Owners
●December 13, County sent notice of public
hearing and notice to abate
●December 16, City sent reminder letter to
abate by April 30 and maintain year-round
Recommended Action:
●Adopt Resolution No. 23-019 ordering
abatement of public nuisance from weeds
or other fire hazards pursuant to provisions
of Cupertino Municipal Code Chapter 9.08
and Resolution No. 22-138;
●Conduct hearing for impacted property
owners to contest the matter of proposed
abatement