Deer Springs Fire Protection District Ordinance 2002-03 Abatement Standards

1. Improved properties of one (1) acre or less shall be cleared of dry weeds and dead vegetation in their entirety.

2. Properties of more than one (1) acre shall have a minimum clearance of dry weeds and dead vegetation/ brush from structures of one hundred feet (100). Distance shall be measured on a horizontal plane.

3. Properties that are abutting improved properties, shall maintain a minimum of fifty (50) feet clearance of dry weeds and dead vegetation at the property lines abutting the improved properties. Distance shall be measured on a horizontal plane.

4. Roadways and/or driveways shall be cleared of dry weeds and dead vegetation / brush to at least the width of the roadway plus ten (10) feet on each side , and trees to a height of thirteen and one-half (13.5) feet above the road surface for emergency access.

5. Clearance of properties shall be accomplished by methods that will not disturb native soil or root stock. Grading shall not be used to clear or abate the noted hazard.

6. Trash, rubbish, debris and other combustible materials such as dead vegetation, which create a fire hazard must be removed from the property and properly disposed of.

7. Native chaparral may be thinned as approved by the Deer Springs Fire Protection District. Cuttings may be mulched and left atop of the soil to a maximum depth of six (6) inches or may be hauled to an approved County Landfill Site.

8. Mature trees must be trimmed to six (6) feet above the ground or as approved by the Deer Springs Fire Protection District and must be cut back at least ten (10) feet from and over chimneys. Remove any tree branches and /or vegetation existing upon, or touching rooftop.

9. Weeds, grass, brush and other combustible materials shall be kept not less than 10 feet from LP-gas tanks or containers.

10. Accumulations of hazardous grass, weeds, native brush or other such growth over 18 inches in height, litter or combustible or flammable waste or rubbish of any kind shall not be permitted to remain in or upon any portion of any yard, vacant lot or open space within a distance of 100 feet of any part of any structure or building.

11. Such grass, weeds, native brush, litter, combustible or flammable waste or rubbish shall be cut down and / or removed or made noncombustible by the person owning, leasing, occupying, controlling, operating or maintaining such property.

12. Roadways and/or driveways shall be cleared the width of the roadway/ driveway to a height of thirteen and one-half (13.5) feet above the road surface for emergency access. 

13. Stack woodpiles at least 30 feet from buildings, fences and other combustible materials.

14. Roadways and/or driveways trees shall be trimmed to a height of thirteen and one-half (13.5) feet above the road surface for emergency access.

15. Land owners who have been noticed of the existence of a rare, threatened or endangered plant on the property to be cleared must notify the State Dept. of Fish & Game at least ten (10) days in advance of undertaking the vegetation clearance. If the landowner is aware of any state or federal listed species on the property, then the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the State Dept. of Fish & Game should be notified prior to abatement. If a state or federal candidate or species is killed, injured and captured, the landowner shall report this information to the State Dept. of Fish & Game or the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. If Coastal Sage or Gnat catcher habitat is on the property to be cleared a permit from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is required prior to clearing and/or abating the fire hazard.