The Alameda County Weed Abatement Program run by the Fire Department requires property owners to remove weeds and combustible debris annually, with violations resulting in abatement and tax liens.
The Alameda County Fire Department Weed Abatement Program operates under California Government Code sections 39560-39588 and local ordinance. Each spring, the county mails a Notice to Abate Nuisance to parcels with prior violations or in high-risk zones, listing the required work and compliance deadline, typically in late May or early June. Required work generally includes cutting annual weeds and grass to 4 inches or less, removing dead brush and tumbleweeds, clearing combustible debris, and maintaining 100 feet of defensible space around structures in VHFHSZ per PRC 4291. Inspectors re-check after the deadline; non-compliant parcels are referred to county contractors who perform the work at the owner expense plus a 100 percent administrative fee. Unpaid abatement costs become a lien on the property tax bill. Appeals of findings or charges go before the Board of Supervisors at a public hearing.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how Alameda County's weed ordinances rules stack up against other locations.
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