BUILDING. Any structure having, or originally designed to be used for, the shelter or enclosure of persons, animals, chattels, equipment, or property of any kind, and shall also include structures wherein things may be grown, made, produced, kept, handled, stored, or disposed of, and all appendages, accessories, apparatus, appliances, and equipment installed as a part thereof.
DEFENSIBLE SPACE. The area around building or structures that assist fire department operations in their defense during a brush fire. DEFENSIBLE SPACE also assists in preventing a single unit structure fire from spreading to natural exposed hazardous vegetation. In a “very high fire severity zone,” DEFENSIBLE SPACE shall equal Zone “1” and Zone “2.” In areas in the city that are outside of the “very high fire severity zone,” DEFENSIBLE SPACE shall equal Zone “1” unless this area is extended in writing by the Fire Chief, or a designee thereof, because of the degree of “natural vegetation,” or “ornamental vegetation” that is present, or for other physical conditions on a parcel of property, or on adjoining areas.
HAZARDOUS VEGETATION. Trees, plants, weeds and all other forms of vegetation that, due to their properties, condition and/or location, provide a ready fuel supply to augment the spread or intensity of a fire, or which may otherwise constitute a danger to public health, safety or welfare. HAZARDOUS VEGETATION also means and includes any condition involving vegetation in the city that violates any provision of this chapter.
NATURAL VEGETATION. Native and naturalized species of plants and other forms of vegetation that commonly, but not exclusively, grow wild and untended on undeveloped hillsides and parcels within the city. This plant vegetation, which is often dry and shrubby in form, is very combustible due to its high oil content and includes, but is not limited to, sumac, buckwheat and sages.
ORNAMENTAL VEGETATION. All vegetation that is not “natural vegetation.” ornamental vegetation includes purchased and/or introduced plants, bushes, grass and trees that require irrigation, including, but not limited to, flammable vegetation such as acacia, cedar, cypress, eucalyptus, juniper, pine and pampas grass.
OWNER. Any person having legal title to, or who leases, rents, occupies or has charge, control or possession of, any real property in the city, including all persons shown as owners on the last equalized assessment roll of the County Assessor’s Office. Owners include persons with powers of attorney, executors of estates, trustees, or who are court appointed administrators, conservators, guardians or receivers. An owner of personal property shall be any person who has legal title, charge, control, or possession of, such property.
PERSON. Any individual, partnership of any kind, corporation, limited liability company, association, joint venture or other organization or entity, however formed, as well as trustees, heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns, or any combination of such persons. PERSON also includes any public entity or agency that acts as an owner in the city.
PROPERTY or PREMISES. Any privately-owned real property, or improvements thereon, or portions thereof, as the case may be. PROPERTY includes any parkway or unimproved public easement abutting or adjacent to such real property. Property may include real property that is owned or controlled by a public entity or public agency.
RESPONSIBLE PERSON. Any person, whether as an owner as defined in this chapter, or otherwise, that allows, causes, creates, maintains, or permits a public nuisance, or any violation of the code or county or state law, or regulation thereof, to exist or continue, by any act or the omission of any act or duty. A responsible person shall also include employees, principals, joint venturers, officers, agents, and/or other persons acting in concert with, or at the direction of, and/or with the knowledge and/or consent of the owner and/or occupant of the lot, building or structure on, or in which, a public nuisance or violation exists or existed. The actions or inactions of a responsible person’s agent, employee, representative or contractor may be attributed to that responsible person.
ROADWAY. Every form of public right-of way on which vehicles can travel, as well as areas on private real property over which vehicles travel.
TREE MAINTENANCE. Means and includes, but is not limited to, the following requirements:
(1) The crowns or tree tops of all trees that are located in Zones One and Two, shall have a minimum separation between them of 15 feet at all times.
(2) The crowns or tree tops of all trees that are located in Zones One and Two, shall have a minimum distance of 15 feet from any building or structure.
(3) Trees shall be maintained free of dead and dying limbs at all times in Zones One and Two and shall be trimmed and maintained at least five feet above the ground at all times. Tree limbs and branches shall be maintained in all zones to allow for an unobstructed vertical clearance of not less than 13 feet 6 inches along roadways to allow for emergency vehicle access.
(4) Palm Trees, Pines, and all varieties of Eucalyptus Trees, within Zones 1 and 2 shall be maintained free of dead palms, branches, needles and bark at all times.
VERY HIGH FIRE SEVERITY ZONE. A geographical portion of the city that has been classified by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, as abutting the urban interface zone, which creates a higher probability of structure damage or destruction due to wildfire.
ZONE ONE. An area with a radius of 30 feet around a building or structure.
ZONE TWO. An area that starts at the perimeter of Zone 1, and extends outward to a distance of 200 feet around a building or structure.
(Ord. 2007-22 § 4 (part), 2007)