Brush Clearance Inspections to Start May 1
On May 1, the Los Angeles Fire Department will begin inspecting brush clearance on all properties in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, regardless of whether they were impacted by last year’s fire.
Some fire-affected properties may qualify for an exemption from the initial $31 inspection fee, but all properties will still be inspected for compliance, according to LAFD. The rules for brush clearance can be found on a pdf at this link.
For questions or concerns regarding defensible space or brush clearance requirements, visit these websites, www.lafd.org/brush and fims.lafd.org, or contact the LAFD Brush Clearance Unit by email—lafdbrush@lacity.org—or phone— (800) 994-4444—between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday - Friday.
If a property does not meet brush clearance requirements, the owner will receive a Notice of Non-Compliance with details on what needs to be fixed and a deadline to complete the work. Properties that are not exempt and fail the first inspection will be charged the $31 fee. If issues are not corrected by the second inspection, an additional $758 non-compliance fee may be applied.
According to the city, these are the minimum requirements for brush clearance:
1. Areas within 200-feet of structures and/or 10-feet of roadside surfaces or combustible fence: Grass shall be cut to 3-inches in height. Native brush shall be reduced in quantity to 3-inches in height. This does not apply to individual native shrubs spaced a minimum of 18-feet apart, provided such shrubs are trimmed up from the ground to 1/3 of their height with all dead material being removed (See diagram below).
2. For trees taller than 18-feet, trim lower branches so no foliage is within 6 feet of the ground and remove all dead material. For trees and shrubs less than 18-feet, remove lower branches to 1/3 of their height. All dead trees and vegetation must be removed. (See diagram below).
3. Trees shall be trimmed up, so the foliage is no closer than 10-feet from the outlet of a chimney (See diagram below).
4. All roof surfaces shall be maintained free of substantial accumulation of leaves, needles, twigs, and any other combustible matter. Maintain 5-feet of vertical clearance between roof surfaces and portions of overhanging trees (See diagram below).
5. All cut vegetation and debris shall be removed in a legal manner. Cut vegetation may be machine processed (i.e., chipped) and spread back onto the property at a depth not to exceed 3-inches within 30- feet of structures and six-inches beyond 30-feet of structures. In addition, spread material shall not be placed within 10-feet of any usable roadside (as per Fire Prevention Bureau Procedure No. 25).
