How weed abatement process works

Fire Chief Stephen Abbott

North County Fire

As North County Fire receives many questions about how the weed abatement process works, the department is providing a synopsis. By now the annual abatement notices should have been mailed to all properties within the district, and this year the deadline for mowing weeds, removing accumulated trimmings and brush piles and trimming or removing dead trees within 100 feet of structures is June 15.

Shortly thereafter, the fire department will commence compliance inspections. If a property receives a Notice to Abate fire hazard or a similar posting is sent to the property, the owner will have 30 days to comply, after which they will receive a Final Notice to Abate Hazard with a 15-day compliance period if they have failed to comply.

Properties that remain noncompliant will be scheduled for forced hazard abatement, which is expensive and includes administrative charges. Due to a recent commitment by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, Cal Fire and county fire department have also been tasked with inspecting all properties within the unincorporated portions of the county within the next three years. To that end, Cal Fire will also be conducting inspections within the community, so it is possible that property owners may receive a notice from them instead, although both agencies are enforcing the county fire code.

Both agencies will work with customers that are making progress toward compliance and may give additional time before taking enforcement measures. Last year, the Fire Prevention Bureau conducted in excess of 700 inspections, of which only 2% required forced abatement, so North County Fire asks that residents help the department to help them by responding to the notice they recently received in a timely fashion.