Milpitas administers its own Weed Abatement Program under Municipal Code Chapter 202 to address fire and safety hazards. Owners of vacant lots must clear weeds and combustible vegetation; non-compliant parcels are abated by a City contractor at the owner's expense.
Vacant and undeveloped lots in Milpitas are regulated through the City's Weed Abatement Program, cited to Milpitas Municipal Code Chapter 202. The City states the program "exists to address enforcement and safety issues and is not provided as a service" - meaning owners, not the City, are responsible for keeping a parcel clear. Compliance is required year-round, but the City stresses it is "extremely critical that properties be maintained during the high fire months, usually from April through October." Because vegetation regrows, the City warns owners they will likely need to abate more than once per season. If an owner fails to maintain a lot, it becomes subject to City enforcement and is abated by a City contractor, with the cost charged back to the owner. Milpitas is also within the broader Santa Clara County weed-abatement region, whose program standard for participating areas is to keep grass and weeds from exceeding roughly six inches and to keep roadways and structures clear of combustible vegetation. Owners of vacant Milpitas parcels should confirm current deadlines, inspection dates, and any administrative or contractor charges directly with Milpitas Public Works (408-586-2600) before the fire season begins.
Enforced by Milpitas Public Works under MMC Chapter 202. Non-compliant vacant lots are abated by a City contractor and the cost is billed to the owner; charges can be recovered against the property.
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