Pismo Beach, CA Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)

Pismo Beach has no printed defensible-space distance or clearance width in the chapters read. Its brush and fuel rule sits in Chapter 8.32, Weeds and Rubbish, and turns on whether the material is a fire hazard. Section 8.32.010 includes in "weeds" dry grass, stubble, brush, garden refuse, litter or other flammable material which constitutes a fire hazard or which, when dry, will in reasonable probability constitute a fire hazard. It also covers weeds that when mature bear wingy or downy seeds and grow so large as to be a fire menace when dry.

The official in charge is the fire chief, defined as the chief of the Pismo Beach fire department, his assistants and deputies, or another officer or employee designated by the city manager. Under § 8.32.080 the council orders the fire chief by resolution to abate the nuisances, or cause them to be abated, by having them destroyed or removed. The fire chief and his deputies, employees and contracting agents are expressly authorized to enter private property for that purpose. Under § 8.32.180 the fire chief determines the appropriate manner in which the public nuisances must be abated.

Before that point, the council adopts a resolution declaring the nuisance and setting a hearing, and the fire chief mails notice at least ten days before the hearing to each owner on the latest county tax roll (§§ 8.32.030, 8.32.060). Property owners can remove the material themselves, or pay to have it removed, if it is cleared to the fire chief's satisfaction before the fire chief or representatives arrive (§ 8.32.080).

For parcels with a repeat problem, § 8.32.040 lets the council declare weeds seasonal and recurrent. After the second occurrence in the same calendar year the fire chief only mails a notice letter to the owner. Chapter 8.20 also names vegetation that constitutes a fire or health hazard as a public nuisance.