Vacaville requires property owners to keep land clear of dry weeds, vegetation, and rubbish under Vacaville Municipal Code Chapter 8.04 (Abatement of Weeds and Rubbish). On or about June 1 each year, Code Enforcement inspects properties citywide. Parcels in or adjacent to State Responsibility Areas or the Vaca Mountains foothills also must maintain 100 feet of defensible space under California Public Resources Code Β§4291 / Government Code Β§51182.
VMC Chapter 8.04 declares all weeds and rubbish a public nuisance and makes it unlawful to allow dry vegetation, weeds, rubbish, or other fire hazards to remain on a property. Code Enforcement performs the annual Weed Abatement inspection on or about June 1 to confirm that owners have cut grass and weeds, removed dead brush, and cleared rubbish before fire season. Burning vegetation in the City to clear weeds is prohibited under Chapter 8.04 unless the Fire Chief has issued written permission. Properties in Vacaville's eastern and southern hills β the Vaca Mountains foothills, Lagoon Valley, Browns Valley, and other Local Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zones identified in the OSFM's February 24, 2025 map update β also fall under California Government Code Β§51182, requiring 100 feet of defensible space around every habitable structure, broken into Zone 0 (0β5 ft ember-resistant), Zone 1 (0β30 ft lean/clean/green) and Zone 2 (30β100 ft fuel reduction). Properties on the western side of Vacaville extend into CAL FIRE State Responsibility Area where PRC Β§4291 imposes the same 100-foot standard, enforced by CAL FIRE LNU. Common violations include dry grass over 4 inches near structures, accumulated dead brush, woodpiles within 30 feet of a home, and tree branches overhanging roofs.
If a property owner fails to abate weeds or rubbish after notice under VMC 8.04, the City may perform the work itself and assess the costs as a civil debt, lien, or special assessment against the property. The Vacaville City Council annually places liens on non-complying properties on the Solano County property tax roll. Failure to maintain PRC Β§4291 / Govt. Code Β§51182 defensible space carries CAL FIRE civil penalties up to $500 (first offense) and $1,500 (second offense). Burning to clear weeds without written Fire Chief approval is a separate violation under Chapter 8.04.
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