REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Adoption of a Resolution Declaring Weeds a Public Nuisance and Setting February 20, 2024, for Public Hearing to Consider Testimony Regarding Non-Compliant Lots
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure
BACKGROUND
On February 23, 1976, the City Council approved an agreement with Santa Clara County to administer weed abatement with the City of Santa Clara. For the past 47 seasons, the weed abatement program has been expeditiously carried out by the County Department of Consumer & Environmental Protection Agency with satisfactory results for Santa Clara residents. This agreement has reduced the City's staff time required to administer the weed abatement program.
Santa Clara County and the City of Santa Clara work together to protect our community from fire. The purpose of the Weed Abatement Program is to prevent fire hazards posed by vegetative overgrowth and the accumulation of combustible materials.
Santa Clara Municipal Code Chapter 8.15, in alignment with the California Government Code, specifies weed abatement procedures. This chapter requires property owners to conduct weed abatement activities in a timely manner through their own means. However, there are some property owners that, even with proper notification, do not comply with the weed abatement orders. In these cases, the City authorizes the Santa Clara County Department of Consumer & Environmental Protection Agency to inspect, remove, and destroy weeds on non-compliant lots or parcels of land.
The Weed Abatement program is entirely funded from fees charged to property owners. All lots or parcels on the commencement list will be charged a basic inspection fee. If the parcel is not in compliance at the time of inspection, the property owner will be charged an additional failed inspection fee and receive a final courtesy notice as a reminder to abate their weeds. The County contractor will complete the work...
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