Corvallis, OR Environmental Rules: Defensible Space (2026)
Key Facts
- Baseline duty
- cut and remove ignitable weeds, grass, vines
- WUI standard
- IWUIC Sections 603 and 604
- Trigger
- OSFM HIGH or EXTREME wildfire rating
- Responsible party
- property owner or occupant
- Civil penalty
- $75 to $200 per violation
- Cleanup surcharge
- 20% administrative overhead if City abates
Summary
Corvallis Municipal Code Section 7.08.120 requires every property owner or occupant to cut down and remove weeds, grass, vines, and other growth capable of easy ignition, and layers a stricter International Wildland-Urban Interface Code clearance standard on parcels the Oregon State Fire Marshal has rated HIGH or EXTREME for wildfire risk.
304.1.2.1 Vegetation. Weeds, grass, vines or other growth that is readily capable of being ignited by available sources (OFC Section 305) and endangering property, is required to be cut down and removed by the owner or occupant of the premises. Vegetation clearance requirements in urban-wildland interface areas must comply with the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code. (2021 IWUIC Sections 603, 604 for areas identified by an Oregon State Fire Marshal recognized resource, identifying a wildfire risk classification of "HIGH or EXTREME".)
Full Breakdown
Section 7.08.120's 304.1.2.1 Vegetation clause is the City's operative defensible-space rule: weeds, grass, vines, or other growth readily capable of being ignited by available sources under OFC Section 305 and endangering property must be cut down and removed by the owner or occupant of the premises, a citywide baseline that applies regardless of zoning. On top of that baseline, parcels within a mapped urban-wildland interface area must comply with the 2021 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code's Sections 603 and 604 vegetation clearance requirements whenever the Oregon State Fire Marshal's recognized resource has classified the parcel HIGH or EXTREME for wildfire risk, the same mapping trigger used in the City's separate WUI ordinance at Section 7.08.135.
The companion 304.1.1.1 Waste Material clause bars letting waste paper, wood, hay, straw, cut weeds, litter or other combustible rubbish accumulate on a roof, yard, vacant lot, alley, parking lot, or open space. If an owner does not clear a cited hazard within the time set in the Fire Chief's abatement notice, the Fire Chief may clean up or abate the vegetation directly and bill the owner for the cost under Section 111, without relieving the owner of the underlying duty to act.
Violations & Fines
Letting hazardous vegetation or combustible waste accumulate after notice draws a civil penalty of $75 to $200 under Corvallis Fire Code Section 110.4.8.2(s), plus any cost-of-service or recording fees. The Fire Chief can also abate the condition directly, adding a 20 percent administrative surcharge to the cleanup bill under Section 113.6.1, and unpaid abatement costs and penalties become a lien against the property, enforced the same way as a street-improvement lien.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Corvallis require homeowners to clear brush around their property?
What happens if I don't clear cited vegetation in Corvallis?
Is the vegetation clearance rule the same everywhere in Corvallis?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Corvallis
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