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Title: |
Glendale, CA -- Vegetation Management Program
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Type: |
Regulatory
Property Insurance
Education
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Jurisdiction: |
City/town
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State: |
California
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Program Description: |
Background
In response to the devastating College Hills Fire, the Glendale Fire Department (Department) coordinated the development of an ordinance to reduce the potential for another extensive urban wildfire to occur in the City. The City Council adopted the Hazardous Vegetation Ordinance � (Glendale Building and Safety Code Vol. VI, Sec. 16, App. II-A) in 1990. To implement the ordinance, a Vegetation Management Program (VMP) was initiated. The program enables the fire department to methodically inspect and legally enforce the removal and/or maintenance of vegetative fire hazards, both native and ornamental. The fire department has identified several objectives for the VMP:
- Improve the overall fire safety within the urban-wildland interface;
- Provide a safer environment for fire fighting personnel;
- Create defensible spaces around structures;
- Slow the spread of urban wildfires; and
- Provide educational opportunities for homeowners.
Annual Vegetation Inspections
The High Fire Hazard Area (designated as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone by the State) of the city is divided into 15 inspection districts, each of which is inspected annually beginning in May. A Notice to Abate Fire Hazard is mailed if a hazard is identified during the Initial Inspection; this helps to clarify the abatement requirements for the property owner. A Compliance Reinspection is conducted 30 days following notification. If the abatement has not been completed by the date of the reinspection, A Notice of Intent to Abate a Public Nuisance is sent to the property owner. Should the required abatement not be completed by the 15th day following this second notification, a Notice of Intent to Abate Public Nuisance sign is posted on the property. A Posting Inspection is conducted 15 days following posting of the sign and abatement is arranged by the Department if the requirements have not been fulfilled by the property owner.
Vacant Lot Weed Abatement
The fire department administers a contract with the County of Los Angeles Agricultural Commissioner, Weed Abatement Division, to provide inspection and abatement services on all unimproved (vacant) parcels in the city. All unimproved parcels within 100 feet of a structure in the city are inspected annually to assess the potential fire hazard. All costs related to abatement are charged to the property owner affected and become a part of their tax liability.
Hazardous Vegetation Clearance Requirements
The VMP stipulates specific Hazardous Vegetation Clearance Requirements for properties located in High Fire Hazard Areas of the City. In summary, the City�s vegetation clearance requirements are as follows.
- Property owners need only abate hazards on their own property.
- Oak and sycamore trees are protected by the City�s Indigenous Tree Program Ordinance. Removal or pruning of branches greater than two inches in diameter on oaks, bays, or sycamores requires a permit through the City�s Park Service�s Department.
- Excessive vegetation removal to bare soil is prohibited.
- Removal and safe disposal of all cut vegetation and hazardous refuse is required.
Hazards are identified by clearance zones, which are specific distances from a structure to help identify where abatement is needed.
ZONE A (0 to 5 feet from a structure)
� Remove dead vegetation adjacent to or overhanging any structure.
� Maintain 5 feet vertical clearance between roof surfaces and overhanging portions of trees.
� Remove leaves, needles, twigs and other combustible matter from roofs.
� Remove any portion of a tree that extends within 10 feet of a chimney or stovepipe outlet.
ZONE B (5 to 30 feet from a structure or roadway)
� Remove all dry grasses, weeds and small hazardous shrubs within 30 feet of any building and within 10 feet of combustible fences and roadways.
� Hazardous vegetation must be maintained less than 3 inches high.
� Large native shrubs may be retained, but should be an average of 18 feet apart.
� Removal does not apply to irrigated and properly maintained landscaping and greenbelts.
ZONE C (30 to 100 feet from a structure)
� Remove all hazardous native brush, trees, grasses and weeds within 100 feet of any building.
� Large native specimen shrubs should be retained, but no closer than an average of 18 feet apart.
� Remove foliage, deadwood, twigs or branches within 3 feet of the ground from mature trees and shrubs (but no more than 1/3 of the crown) within 100 feet of any building.
A brochure describing defensible space requirements that includes a map of the city with high-hazard areas delineated, is distributed to homeowners and is available on the Department�s fire prevention website.
Permit Requirements
The City�s VMP specifications include the development of a landscape, irrigation and/or fuel modification to obtain a required Landscape/Fuel Modification Permit when any of the following situations exist within the High Fire Hazard Area:
- A new structure or subdivision is proposed;
- Existing structure are altered;
- Re-landscaping or grading is planned;
- When any special discretionary review is requested by the Planning Division.
Following plan review and approval by the Fire Prevention Bureau, the plans are stamped and signed, and a Landscape/Fuel Modification Permit is issued.
In summary, the following information must be included on all plans:
- Location of roadway and curb
- Topography and property lines for entire property
- Building footprint
- Actual measured dripline of indigenous trees on or immediately adjacent to property (within 20�)
Plan requirements also include:
For landscape plans -
- Plant species, size and spatial arrangement
- Fire safe landscape materials and design
- Planting and staking instructions
For irrigation plans -
- Specific information about irrigation materials and locations
For fuel modification plans -
- Location and species of existing vegetation proposed to remain
- Fuel modification zone boundary (100 feet from structures)
The following conditions must be met on all landscape and/or fuel modification projects:
- All landscaping must comply with the Hillside Development Landscape Guidelines (see below).
- All hazardous vegetation within 100 feet of proposed or existing structures must be abated before delivery of combustible building materials.
- All landscaping must be installed and inspected prior to the final FPB inspection.
Hillside Development Landscape Guidelines
The Hillside Development Landscape Guidelines were developed as a landscape strategy for incorporating appropriate native and non-native plant species in hillside developments. These Guidelines are implemented in conjunction with the City�s Hazardous Vegetation Clearance Requirements. The guidelines recommend the use of drought tolerant plants and vegetation that is easily maintained. Two plant palettes, one of native species and one of ornamental elections are specified for use. A list of prohibited species is also included. The guidelines are designed to protect the visual quality of the hillsides and promote fire safety. With regards to defensible space, specific Fire Zone Management Guidelines are provided.
A minimum buffer of 100 to 150 feet around structures requires a comprehensive landscaping program using a graduated four zone system with Zone 1 being the existing native vegetation on ungraded portions of the site;Zone 4 being the area immediately surrounding the structure.
In brief, the treatments are:
Zone 1 � selective thinning of native vegetation, removal of certain species that are highly flammable, and retention of certain species with soil stabilization value.
Zone 2 � continued reduction of flammable vegetation and replacement with species from the Naturalizing
Plant Palette.
Zone 3 � continued reduction of vegetation and replacement with species from the the two plant palettes. Regular watering in weed control is required.
Zone 4 � plantings of fire resistant species, primarily from the ornamental palette, carefully located.
A complete description of the Guidelines is available on the Department�s website.
High Fire Hazard Area Disclosure Information
Existing state law (CCC Sec. 1102.6c/AB 1195) requires that disclosure with respect to real property located in an area subject to fire hazards, be made either by the issuance of a Natural Hazard Disclosure Statement, or the Local Option Real Estate Disclosure Statement. Disclosure must be made if 1) a seller or the seller�s agent has �actual knowledge� that the property is located within a very high fire hazard severity zone, or 2) a map that includes the property has been provided and a notice has been posted that identifies the location of the map.
Local agencies are required to post a notice identifying the location of specified maps or lists containing information regarding areas of potential fire hazard severity. The disclosure is required so that potential buyers will know that they will be subject to the Hazardous Vegetation Ordinance requirements and because it may be difficult to obtain fire insurance for properties located in the area.
California Fair Plan Insurance
The state of California provides the Fair Plan Property Insurance in Glendale when it is not available through traditional insurers. In brief, the FAIR Plan requires a minimum of 200 foot of brush clearance provided structures are located within five miles of a fire department, fire hydrant are also within 1000 feet, and access roads are improved with free passage. If these stipulations are not met, the minimum clearance extends to 400 feet. In addition, if brush exposure is on a down slope over 30 degrees (67% slope), only half of the cleared distance will be counted. If brush clearance requirements are not met, a brush surcharge will apply. In all cases, a fire resistant roof is assumed.
All FAIR Plan inquiries directed to the Fire Department will be followed-up with a review of current inspection records and, if necessary, an inspection to ensure compliance with city codes. If there is any non-compliance with City ordinances, arrangements for notification or hazard abatement will be made. Once city compliance is provided, a �clearance� letter will be mailed to the homeowner.
Contact Information
For more information, contact Douglas Nickles, Fire Prevention Coordinator, at 818-548-3215, or via email at [email protected].
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