All weeds, grasses, hazardous vegetation, and combustible materials on improved and designated unimproved parcels in unincorporated El Dorado County are declared a public nuisance under Chapter 8.09 and must be abated by June 1 each year.
El Dorado County Code Chapter 8.09 (Vegetation Management and Defensible Space) was adopted by Ordinance 5101 in 2019 and amended by Ordinance 5186 (effective August 16, 2024). Section 8.09.010 states the chapter's purpose is 'to provide for the removal of hazardous vegetation and combustible materials situated in the unincorporated areas of the county so as to reduce the potential for fire and to promote the safety and welfare of the community.' Section 8.09.060 (Prohibited Conduct) provides: 'A person shall not dump, nor permit the dumping of weeds, grasses, hazardous vegetation, refuse, or other combustible material, nor shall a person permit the accumulation of weeds, grasses, hazardous vegetation, refuse, or other combustible material on that person's property or on any other property so as to constitute a fire hazard.' Section 8.09.070 imposes the abatement duty on every owner, occupant, and person in control of any parcel. The County's legal authority is grounded in Cal. Health & Safety Code §§ 14875-14931, Cal. Public Resources Code § 4291, Cal. Gov. Code §§ 25845 and 25845.5, and the California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9). On or before February 15 each year the enforcement official mails written notice to property owners requiring abatement by June 1. Home Owners Associations, Lighting & Landscape Districts, and similar entities with approved Wildland Fire Safe Plans receive up to 5 years to comply. The Ordinance specifies that it 'creates minimum rules for vegetation management in the County. Any legal entity, if it wishes, can adopt vegetation management regulations that provide for rules that are more restrictive than the County's.'
Section 8.09.110 enforcement procedure: written notice on or before February 15; abatement required by June 1. If not abated, the enforcement official issues a Hazard Abatement Notice (15-day appeal window under § 8.09.120). After hearing and final decision, the parcel shall be abated within 7 days; if not, the County may abate the nuisance and the costs may be made a legal charge against the owner, a lien recorded against the property, and referred to the County Auditor for collection together with property taxes. The enforcement official may also commence a 'meet and confer' process (§ 8.09.100) as an alternative. The notice must include a description of the property, a statement of the violation, and the title 'Notice to Remove Weeds, Grass, Hazardous Vegetation, Waste and/or Other Combustible Materials' in letters not less than one inch in height when posted.
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