HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 03-03-2026 Item No. 7 Weed Abatement Program_Staff PresentationCC 3-3-2026
#7
Weed Abatement
Program
Presentation
Cupertino City Council
March 3, 2026
Weed Abatement Program
Program Requirements
●Managed by Santa Clara County Department
of Agriculture
●City Code 9.08 requires property owners to
remove or destroy Vegetation and
Combustible Materials
●Compliance required yearly by April 30 and
throughout the year
●Aims to reduce fire risks and protect public
safety
Compliance & Enforcement
●Noncompliant properties added to the program
●Inspected annually for at least 3 years
●Correct violations within 2 weeks or additional
actions/costs
●Compliant properties pay only the annual
inspection fee
●Council approval necessary to authorize
County abatement
Owner Responsibilities
1. Clear Tall Grass, Weeds, and Flammable Vegetation
Full Fire Safety Standards available at: cepascc.org/fire-safety
Owner Responsibilities
2. Clear Flammable Debris
Owner Responsibilities
3. Clear Overgrown Trees
Owner Responsibilities
4. Clear Dead Vegetation From Roofs
Abatement Options
1. Owner completes required work
2. County assigned contractor completes work,
charges appear on next property tax bill
County Inspections
●County inspections begin after April 30
●Every property in the program inspected
●Initial inspection fee = $296
●Fee covers County cost of servicing property
Program Fee Update
●Board of Supervisors approved new fee schedule
January 2026
●Effective June 2026
●Needed to cover operating costs
●Fewer properties and gradual decline over past 5
years
●Effective for July fee assessment hearing
Noticing to Property Owners
●January 14, County sent abatement and
public hearing notice
●February 19, City sent notice of public
hearing
Recommended Action:
1. Conduct hearing for impacted property
owners to contest the matter of proposed
abatement; and
2. Adopt Resolution No. 26-023 ordering
abatement of public nuisance from weeds or
other fire hazards pursuant to provisions of
Cupertino Municipal Code Chapter 9.08 and
Resolution No. 25-101.