The deadline for weed abatement is June 1, 2024!
Help Fire & Emergency Services prepare for fire season by clearing weeds.
Initial property inspections were conducted in March 2024, while our region was still receiving rain and before most residents had begun weed abatement. Over half of the parcels in Atascadero were tagged as current or potential hazards, meaning that regardless of how your property looked at the time of inspection, you WILL need to cut again before the June 1st deadline.
Atascadero Fire will reinspect each property that was tagged as a current or potential hazard after the deadline. If your property is compliant, no further action or communication will take place. If there are violations present, an orange marker will be posted either on the home or in the vacant lot stating such violations. From there, the City's contractor will be authorized to clear the hazardous weeds and/or refuse for the residents. If the contractor arrives and the property is compliant, no further action will be taken. If the contractor abates the weeds, the contractor's fees plus 166% administrative fee and a fine of $287 will be added to the property tax bill.
Residents interested in hiring help may utilize this list:
If the City contractor must clear the weeds and/or refuse, the individual property owner will be billed at 166% of the total contractor's cost plus a flat fee of $282. Those charges will then be assessed on the individual owner's property tax bill.
Per the City of Atascadero Municipal Code, Title 6 Health and Sanitation, Chapter 13 Removal of Vegetative Growth and/or Refuse, and Ordinance No. 371, the following guidelines are to be adhered to.
EXEMPTIONS
Exemptions shall apply to any land beyond 50 feet from improved streets, as declared by the City, State or Federal Government, which has been acquired or is managed, for one or more of the following purposes:
a) Animal pastures and agricultural fields growing hay or grains. The interior portion of fenced pastures where the quantity of livestock significantly reduces the vegetative growth, therefore bringing the parcel into compliance. Agricultural fields must be cut at harvest time. Uncut hay and grain is subject to abatement.
b) Habitat for endangered or threatened species or any species that is a candidate for listing as an endangered or threatened species by the State of California or Federal Government.
c) Land kept in a predominantly natural state as habitat for wildlife, plant, or animal communities.
d) Open space lands that are environmentally sensitive parklands.
e) Other lands having scenic values.
Abatement requirements shall remain in effect in waterways where flood preparation measures and emergency flood control mitigation is necessary.
1) This exemption applies whether the land or water are held in fee title or any lesser interest. This exemption applies to any public agency, and private entity that has dedicated the land or water areas to one or more of those purposes or uses, or any combination of public agencies and private entities making that decision.
2) This section shall not be construed to prohibit the use of properly authorized prescribed burning to improve the biological function of land or to assist in the restoration of desired vegetation.
3) In the event that any lands adjacent to land or water areas, as described above, are improved such that they are subject to this chapter, the obligation to comply with Section 6-13.04 shall be with the person owning, leasing, controlling, operating, or maintaining the occupied dwelling or occupied structure on the improved lands. All maintenance, activities, and other fire prevention measures required by Section 6-13.04 shall be required only for the improved land, and water areas as described above.
The Fire Chief has established the following requirements:
Clearance Requirement of Vegetative Growth (noxious weeds) Maximum height of 4 inches;
1. Located within 100 feet of any building or structure, or to the property line, whichever is nearer;
2. Located within 50 feet from the edge of any improved roadway;
3. Located within 50 feet from each property line;
4. Located within 10 feet on each side of driveways.