Hazardous Vegetation and Rubbish Abatement Program

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Preventing hazardous conditions and protecting public health and safety

Each year after the rains, vegetation can quickly grow out of control. Tall weeds and overgrowth can harbor vermin and create other nuisances. Weeds and brush are not only unsightly, but also pose a significant safety hazard when they become dry fuel for fire to consume. In addition, overgrowth of vegetation can impede the public's ability to use the streets and sidewalks.

Therefore, the City’s Hazardous Vegetation and Rubbish Abatement Program requires property owners to alleviate potentially hazardous conditions and to maintain their property throughout the year.

The mission of the City of program is for the annual removal of combustible fuel such as weeds, brush, dead trees and rubbish from unimproved properties within the city limits including abatement of nuisances such as fill dirt and debris from illegal dumping, through the cooperation of affected property owners according to the Lake Elsinore Municipal Code, Chapter 8.18. 152.

This year, the City of Lake Elsinore completely revised its Hazardous Vegetation and Rubbish Abatement Program, more commonly known as Weed Abatement.

The new program allows the City increased flexibility regarding the timing of the weed abatement season, particularly when there are late rains in March and April. In addition, several changes were made to ensure the program is effective and efficient, while also allowing property owners adequate notice to address their properties.

Key changes to the program include: transferring responsibility of the program from the Public Works Department to the Community Development Department to be overseen by the City’s Fire Marshal; subcontracting the inspection and clearing of properties to an outside contractor; streamlining the program by reducing the steps that require formal approval and/or adoption by the City Council; and establishing new procedures that include physical property inspections prior to noticing, additional property documentation and more notices to property owners.

Overall, the new steps of the program are expected to: ensure greater due diligence by the City to notify property owners; encourage greater compliance by property owners to clear hazardous properties; and provide the City with the tools needed to adequately recover its costs for the program.

For questions, please contact the City at (951) 674-3124. If you wish to dispute a notice, you must submit a written appeal to the City’s Fire Marshal within 15 days of the date of this notice. The appeal shall state the reasons why this notice is incorrect. A hearing on the appeal shall be conducted pursuant to Lake Elsinore Municipal Code Section 8.18.040.

Hazardous Vegetation and Rubbish Abatement Program Resources

Overview of Program

Standards of Abatement

Steps for Hazardous Vegetation and Rubbish Abatement Program

45-Day Notice (Example)

15-Day Notice (Example)

Fee Schedule for Non-Compliance

County List of Local Private Contractors

File an Appeal

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

Why did I receive a notice for my vacant, unimproved property?

The mission of the City of Lake Elsinore's Hazardous Vegetation and Rubbish Abatement Program is for the removal of combustible fuel such as weeds, brush, dead trees, debris, fill dirt and rubbish from all unimproved, vacant parcels within the city limits.
Recently, your vacant, unimproved property was inspected for hazardous vegetation and/or rubbish and was identified as a property that contains vegetation and/or rubbish that can create health, fire and/or safety issues within the City.
This notice is an annual courtesy reminder, sent by the City's Fire Marshal, to property owners of vacant parcels within the City urging them to clear any vegetation and/or rubbish on your property within 45 days of the date of the notice. Please see the attached Hazardous Vegetation & Rubbish Abatement Standards for additional information.
After 45 days, the City will be conducting follow up inspections on all vacant properties. Properties not in compliance with Chapter 8.18 of the Lake Elsinore Municipal Code (LEMC) will be issued an official Notice of Violation and a fee may be imposed for non-compliance.
Usually I am notified much earlier in the year. Why am I just now receiving this notice?

This year, the City of Lake Elsinore completely amended its Hazardous Vegetation and Rubbish Abatement Program. This included hiring contractors and the implementation of new systems and software to more efficiently and effectively manage the program. As a result, this year's inspections and notices were slightly delayed. In the future, the Fire Marshal will determine the best time to officially begin inspecting and sending notices to property owners based on the weather and fire and safety risks.
I already cleared my property. Why am I still receiving this notice?

As part of the City's new program and procedures, all vacant properties are now being inspected individually for hazardous vegetation and/or rubbish. The date of this inspection is noted in the third paragraph of the notice. If you have cleared your property since the inspection date, you may disregard this notice. If it was cleared prior to the inspection, please refer to the attached Hazardous Vegetation & Rubbish Abatement Standards for additional information on the expectations for vacant, unimproved properties in the City.
There is debris and garbage on my property, and I didn't put it there ' why am I responsible?

If you are the property owner, then you are exclusively responsible for maintaining the condition of that property per Chapter 8.18 of the LEMC.
I no longer own the property, why was I sent this notice?

Unfortunately, at times property owner records are not always up to date. Notices are sent to the last known owner on Riverside County's assessment roll. If you are no longer the owner, please let the Community Development Department know immediately by calling (951) 674-3124.

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