The Sutter County Fire Services Manager may order the clearing of dry grass, stubble, brush, rubbish, litter, or other flammable material that endangers public safety by creating a fire hazard, using the abatement procedures of the California Health and Safety Code. Properties in CAL FIRE State Responsibility Areas, such as the Sutter Buttes, must also maintain 100 feet of defensible space under Public Resources Code section 4291.
Sutter County Ordinance Code section 600-250 (Ord. No. 1703, January 24, 2023) authorizes the County Fire Services Manager to clear, or order the clearing of, land containing dry grass, stubble, brush, rubbish, litter, or other inflammable materials that endanger public safety by creating a fire hazard, and makes the weed and rubbish abatement procedures of Part 5, Division 12 of the California Health and Safety Code applicable in Sutter County. The chapter may be enforced by the County Fire Services Manager, fire district chiefs, or any police officer through a written notice to appear in Sutter County Superior Court (section 600-260). Separately, state law requires any person who owns or controls a building or structure in, upon, or adjoining mountainous, forest-covered, shrub-covered, or grass-covered lands in a State Responsibility Area - which in Sutter County includes the Sutter Buttes - to maintain defensible space of 100 feet around the structure under Public Resources Code section 4291.
If ordered clearing is not performed, the county may abate the hazard itself under the Health and Safety Code Part 5, Division 12 procedures and recover its costs. Violations of the fire prevention chapter are infractions punishable by escalating fines of up to $100, $200, and $500 under Sutter County Ordinance Code section 600-270, and enforcement officers may issue a written notice to appear in court. Under PRC section 4291, the state may authorize removal of noncompliant vegetation and make the expense a lien on the property.
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