It shall be the duty of every owner, occupant and person in control of any private land or interest in private real property within the City of Canyon Lake to abate therefrom, and from all sidewalks, trails, easements, and parkways on such property, all weeds, flammable vegetation, and other combustible matter. The procedures for abatement set forth herein are not exclusive but are in addition to other procedures set forth in this Code for the abatement of nuisances. The obligation to abate all weeds, flammable vegetation, and other combustible matter shall comply with the following:
(a) Any parcel, or contiguous parcels under the same ownership, of five acres or less, shall be free of all weeds, flammable vegetation, and combustible matter. Removal of weeds, flammable vegetation, and combustible matter shall be provided by either of the following methods:
(1) The entire parcel or contiguous parcels shall be mowed so that the parcel is free of flammable vegetation and combustible matter and weeds are no higher than three inches above the soil; or
(2) Where fire hazard conditions, rocks or other physical obstructions make mowing impractical, the Fire Chief or his or her designee may authorize abatement by discing or any similar operation that cuts into and disturbs the soil. This type of abatement shall only occur after receipt of written authorization from the Fire Chief or his or her designee. Prior to any such abatement, the property must be watered in accordance with any Rule of the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s regarding the minimization of particulate matter in the ambient air and must be free of combustible matter.
(b) Any parcel, or contiguous parcels under the same ownership, of more than five acres shall have a firebreak of not less than 100 feet wide at the outside boundaries of the parcel, or the outside boundaries of the whole of the contiguous parcels. The creation of the firebreak shall comply with the methods described in Subsection (a) of this section. In addition, firebreaks shall be maintained such that no portion of the parcel or contiguous parcels shall be larger than two and one-half acres in area without a firebreak. For land that is used primarily for the grazing of livestock or planted for the harvesting of agricultural crops, firebreaks shall be not less than ten feet wide (instead of 100 feet wide). The Fire Chief or his or her designee may require firebreaks exceeding 100 feet in width when he or she deems it necessary for the protection of the public safety and welfare.
(c) The roof of every structure shall be free of leaves, pine needles, and flammable vegetation.
(d) No portion of any tree shall be within ten feet of the outlet of a chimney or stovepipe.
(e) Any plant, tree, or shrub adjacent to or overhanging a building shall be free of dead or dying wood.
(f) Where any parcel or contiguous parcels under the same ownership are improved in a manner that prevents abatement in accordance with the requirements of this Section, the Fire Chief or his or her may authorize, or require, other means of abatement.
(Ord. 240, passed 12-13-2023)