Sonoma County Code Chapter 13A declares hazardous vegetation and combustible material on unincorporated parcels a public nuisance. Owners must abate it - including cutting dry grasses and creating defensible space to 100 feet around structures. The County can inspect, order abatement, and lien properties for unpaid costs.
Sonoma County's weed-abatement authority is Chapter 13A of the County Code (Abatement of Hazardous Vegetation and Combustible Material, Ordinance 6148), which applies to improved and unimproved parcels in the unincorporated county. Its stated purpose is 'to provide for the removal of hazardous vegetation and combustible material situated in the unincorporated areas of the county so as to reduce the potential for fire.' Hazardous vegetation is defined as flammable vegetation that endangers public safety by creating a fire hazard. Under County Code Section 13A-4 (Duty to abate), owners must keep parcels clear of hazardous vegetation and combustible material. Practically, the County's defensible-space standard requires a lean-clean-and-green zone within 30 feet of buildings (dry grass to 6 inches), a reduced-fuels zone from 30 to 100 feet, dry grasses cut to 6 inches (4 inches in the SRA and along roads), and 10-foot clearance around chimneys, propane/LPG tanks, and wood piles. This mirrors but is administered locally rather than relying solely on California Public Resources Code 4291. Permit Sonoma's Fire Prevention Division and local fire districts conduct roughly 4,000+ inspections each year, typically beginning late spring/early summer, with written advance notice to owners in selected areas.
After a failed first inspection, owners have 30 calendar days to comply; after a second failure, 15 calendar days to comply or request a hearing (then 10 business days if a hearing finds a violation). The County may abate the nuisance itself and recover abatement costs, reinspection fees, attorneys' fees, and hearing costs, placed as a lien on the property if unpaid.
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