Chula Vista Municipal Code Ch. 8.32 Defensible Space and Vegetation Management

DEFENSIBLE SPACE AND VEGETATION MANAGEMENT

Sections:

• 8.32.005 Vegetation Management – Notice to remove when given.

• 8.32.010 Vegetation Management – Requirements.

• 8.32.015 Vegetation Management – Serving of notice to remove – Contents.

• 8.32.020 Vegetation Management – Notice to remove – Appeal procedure.

• 8.32.025 Vegetation Management – Owner or occupant duty to remove – Time limit. 8.32.030 Vegetation Management – Removal by City authorized when.

• 8.32.035 Assessment of charges – Method of determination.

• 8.32.040 Assessment of charges – Appeal of determination.

• 8.32.045 Charges to be lien on property – Collection.

Whenever the Fire Chief finds weeds, vegetation, vegetation rubbish, trees, or portions of trees upon any street, parkway, sidewalk, property, lands or lot located in the city, which are deemed a fire hazard, and/or when the Fire Chief finds vegetation upon any street, parkway, sidewalk, property, lands or lot located in the city not in conformance with CVMC 8.32.010 and is deemed a fire hazard, he shall give, or cause to be given, notice to remove such weeds, vegetation, vegetation rubbish, trees, or portions of trees in the manner hereinafter provided. (Ord. 3599 § 2, 2025).

A. DEFENSIBLE SPACE/VEGETATION MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS: VERY HIGH FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES. The City of Chula Vista does hereby recognize and adopt the defensible space requirements as set forth by the California Government Code, California Public Resource Code, and Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, for California Office of the State Fire Marshal designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, as adopted by the City, which may change from time to time.

The City of Chula Vista requires that owners of properties, located within the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, as identified by the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection on the “City of Chula Vista – San Diego County Local Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zones” map, maintain their properties in accordance with this adopted standard. The City of Chula Vista sets forth a 100-foot defensible space requirement. The 100-foot defensible space standard is implemented across three Defensible Space Zones: Zone 0, Zone 1, and Zone 2. Zone 0 is the first five feet from the structure, Zone 1 is a total of 25 feet, which extends from five to 30 feet, and Zone 2 is from 30 to 100 feet from the structure.

1. Defensible Space Zone 0. Zone 0 is the horizontal area within the first five feet around the structure, any outbuildings, and attached decks, and stairs. Zone 0 is measured from the edge of a structure, attached decks, patio covers, balconies, and floor projections above grade. The zone also includes the area under attached decks and stair landings.

Zone 0 vegetation management requirements shall be in accordance with the explicit vegetation requirements as set forth in Government Code Section 51182 and the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection’s guidance document.

2. Defensible Space Zone 1. Zone 1 is the lean, clean, and green zone that reduces the likelihood of fire burning directly to the structure. Zone 1 extends from five to 30 feet from buildings/structures, or to your property line, whichever is closer. This is accomplished by modifying fuels and creating a discontinuity between planting groups that limits the pathways for fire to burn to the structure.

• a. When deemed a hazard, cut or mow annual grass down to a maximum height of six inches.

• b. Remove all dead plants, shrubs, and weeds.

• c. Remove dead or dry leaves and/or pine needles.

• d. Trim/remove tree branches within 10 feet of chimneys and stovepipes.

• e. Remove all tree branches at least six feet from the ground.

3. Defensible Space Zone 2. Zone 2 is a reduced fuel zone and is designed to reduce the potential behavior of an oncoming fire in such a way as to drop an approaching fire from the crown of trees to the ground, reducing the flame heights, and the potential for ember generation and radiant heat exposure to structures. Zone 2 extends 30 to 100 feet from buildings/structures, or to your property line, whichever is closer.

   • a. When deemed a hazard, cut or mow annual grass down to a maximum height of six inches.

   • b. Remove all dead plants, shrubs, and weeds.

   • c. Remove dead or dry leaves and/or pine needles.

   • d. Trim/remove tree branches within 10 feet of chimneys and stovepipes.

   • e. Remove all tree branches at least six feet from the ground.

   • f. Create and maintain horizontal and vertical spacing in accordance with Figure 1.

Figure 1. Spacing Guidelines

Figure 1. Spacing Guidelines

Shrub grouping shall not exceed 4 feet in height. Shrub grouping shall be separated from structures a minimum of 30 feet. Shrub grouping shall not exceed 10 feet in diameter. Vertical Spacing Minimum vertical space between top of shrub and bottom of lower tree branches: greater of 3 times the height of the shrub or 10 feet.

B. DEFENSIBLE SPACE/VEGETATION MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS: HIGH AND MODERATE FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES. The City of Chula Vista requires that owners of properties, located within the High and Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zone, as identified by the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection on the “City of Chula Vista – San Diego County Local Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zones” map, maintain their properties in accordance with this adopted standard. The City of Chula Vista sets forth a 100-foot defensible space requirement. The 100-foot defensible space standard is implemented across three Defensible Space Zones: Zone 0, Zone 1, and Zone 2. Zone 0 is the first five feet from the structure, Zone 1 is a total of 25 feet, which extends from five to 30 feet, and Zone 2 is from 30 to 100 feet from the structure.

1. Defensible Space Zone 0. Zone 0 is the horizontal area within the first five feet around the structure, any outbuildings, and attached decks, and stairs. Zone 0 is measured from the edge of a structure, attached decks, patio covers, balconies, and floor projections above grade. The zone also includes the area under attached decks and stair landings.

Zone 0 vegetation management requirements shall be in accordance with the explicit vegetation requirements as set forth in Government Code Section 51182 and the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection’s guidance document.

2. Defensible Space Zone 1. Zone 1 is the lean, clean, and green zone that reduces the likelihood of fire burning directly to the structure. Zone 1 extends from five to 30 feet from buildings/structures, or to your property line, whichever is closer. This is accomplished by modifying fuels and creating a discontinuity between planting groups that limits the pathways for fire to burn to the structure.

• a. When deemed a hazard, cut or mow annual grass down to a maximum height of six inches.

• b. Remove all dead plants, shrubs, and weeds.

• c. Remove dead or dry leaves and/or pine needles.

• d. Trim/remove tree branches within 10 feet of chimneys and stovepipes.

• e. Remove all tree branches at least six feet from the ground.

3. Defensible Space Zone 2. Zone 2 is a reduced fuel zone and is designed to reduce the potential behavior of an oncoming fire in such a way as to drop an approaching fire from the crown of trees to the ground, reducing the flame heights, and the potential for ember generation and radiant heat exposure to structures. Zone 2 extends 30 to 100 feet from buildings/structures, or to your property line, whichever is closer.

• a. When deemed a hazard, cut or mow annual grass down to a maximum height of six inches.

• b. Remove all dead plants, shrubs, and weeds.

• c. Remove dead or dry leaves and/or pine needles.

• d. Trim/remove tree branches within 10 feet of chimneys and stovepipes.

• e. Remove all tree branches at least six feet from the ground.

• f. Create and maintain horizontal and vertical spacing in accordance with Figure 1.

Figure 1. Spacing Guidelines

Figure 1. Spacing Guidelines

Vertical Spacing Minimum vertical space between top of shrub and bottom of lower tree branches: greater of 3 times the height of the shrub or 10 feet.

Exception to Defensible Space Zones 1 and 2: Where a Sectional Planning Area, Parcel, and/or other has a City approved Fire Protection Plan, the vegetation management requirements set forth therein shall be in effect.

C. DEFENSIBLE SPACE/VEGETATION MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS: SPECIAL DESIGNATED VEGETATION MANAGEMENT AREA. The City of Chula Vista requires that owners of properties, located within City designated Special Vegetation Management Areas, as identified on the “City of Chula Vista Special Vegetation Management Area” map, maintain their properties in accordance with this adopted standard. The City of Chula Vista sets forth a 100-foot defensible space requirement. The 100-foot defensible space standard is implemented across three Defensible Space Zones: Zone 0, Zone 1, and Zone 2. Zone 0 is the first five feet from the structure, Zone 1 is a total of 25 feet, which extends from five to 30 feet, and Zone 2 is from 30 to 100 feet from the structure.

1. Defensible Space Zone 0. Zone 0 is the horizontal area within the first five feet around the structure, any outbuildings, and attached decks, and stairs. Zone 0 is measured from the edge of a structure, attached decks, patio covers, balconies, and floor projections above grade. The zone also includes the area under attached decks and stair landings.

Zone 0 vegetation management requirements shall be in accordance with the explicit vegetation requirements as set forth in Government Code 51182 and the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection’s guidance document.

2. Defensible Space Zone 1. Zone 1 is the lean, clean, and green zone that reduces the likelihood of fire burning directly to the structure. Zone 1 extends from five to 30 feet from buildings/structures, or to your property line, whichever is closer. This is accomplished by modifying fuels and creating a discontinuity between planting groups that limits the pathways for fire to burn to the structure.

   • a. When deemed a hazard, cut or mow annual grass down to a maximum height of six inches.

   • b. Remove all dead plants, shrubs, and weeds.

   • c. Remove dead or dry leaves and/or pine needles.

   • d. Trim/remove tree branches within 10 feet of chimneys and stovepipes.

   • e. Remove all tree branches at least six feet from the ground.

3. Defensible Space Zone 2. Zone 2 is a reduced fuel zone and is designed to reduce the potential behavior of an oncoming fire in such a way as to drop an approaching fire from the crown of trees to the ground, reducing the flame heights, and the potential for ember generation and radiant heat exposure to structures. Zone 2 extends 30 to 100 feet from buildings/structures, or to your property line, whichever is closer.

• a. When deemed a hazard, cut or mow annual grass down to a maximum height of six inches.

• b. Remove all dead plants, shrubs, and weeds.

• c. Remove dead or dry leaves and/or pine needles.

• d. Trim/remove tree branches within 10 feet of chimneys and stovepipes.

• e. Remove all tree branches at least six feet from the ground.

• f. Create and maintain horizontal and vertical spacing in accordance with Figure 1.

Figure 1. Spacing Guidelines

Exception to Defensible Space Zones 1 and 2: Where a Sectional Planning Area, Parcel, and/or other has a City approved Fire Protection Plan, the vegetation management requirements set forth therein shall be in effect.

D. DEFENSIBLE SPACE/VEGETATION MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS: NON-VERY HIGH, NON-HIGH, AND NON-MODERATE FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES, AND NON-SPECIAL DESIGNATED VEGETATION MANAGEMENT AREAS. The City of Chula Vista requires that owners of properties, located outside of designated very high, non-high, and non-moderate fire hazard severity zones, and non-special designated vegetation management areas, maintain their properties in accordance with this adopted standard. The City of Chula Vista sets forth a 100-foot defensible space requirement. The 100-foot defensible space standard is implemented across two Defensible Space Zones, Zone 1 and Zone 2. Zone 1 is a total of 30 feet, which extends from the structure outward for 30 feet, and Zone 2 is from 30 to 100 feet from the structure.

1. Defensible Space Zone 1. Zone 1 is the lean, clean, and green zone that reduces the likelihood of fire burning directly to the structure. Zone 1 extends 30 feet from buildings/structures, or to your property line, whichever is closer. This is accomplished by modifying fuels and creating a discontinuity between planting groups that limits the pathways for fire to burn to the structure.

   • a. When deemed a hazard, cut or mow annual grass down to a maximum height of six inches.

   • b. Remove all dead plants, shrubs, and weeds.

   • c. Remove dead or dry leaves and/or pine needles.

   • d. Trim/remove tree branches within 10 feet of chimneys and stovepipes.

   • e. Remove all tree branches at least six feet from the ground.

2. Defensible Space Zone 2. Zone 2 is a reduced fuel zone and is designed to reduce the potential behavior of an oncoming fire in such a way as to drop an approaching fire from the crown of trees to the ground, reducing the flame heights, and the potential for ember generation and radiant heat exposure to structures. Zone 2 extends 30 to 100 feet from buildings/structures, or to your property line, whichever is closer.

• a. When deemed a hazard, cut or mow annual grass down to a maximum height of six inches.

• b. Remove all dead plants, shrubs, and weeds.

• c. Remove dead or dry leaves and/or pine needles.

• d. Trim/remove tree branches within 10 feet of chimneys and stovepipes.

• e. Remove all tree branches at least six feet from the ground.

Exception to Defensible Space Zones 1 and 2: Where a Sectional Planning Area, Parcel, and/or other has a City approved Fire Protection Plan, the vegetation management requirements set forth therein shall be in effect.

• E. DEFENSIBLE SPACE/VEGETATION MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS: CITY-OWNED PROPERTY. When City-owned property is adjacent to areas designated as fire hazard severity zones or within the special designated vegetation management area, and any portion of the required 100 feet of defensible space extends onto City property, the City of Chula Vista shall be responsible for performing vegetation management on its portion of that defensible space. This requirement ensures that, in coordination with adjacent property owners, the full 100 feet of defensible space is maintained to reduce wildfire risk and enhance public safety.

• F. DEFENSIBLE SPACE/VEGETATION MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS: VACANT PARCELS. The City of Chula Vista requires

that vegetation management be provided for residentially or commercially zoned vacant parcels. Vegetation management shall consist of owners of property complying with this standard.

1. One Acre or less: requirements for the entire parcel/site include:

   • a. When deemed a hazard, cut or mow annual grass down to a maximum height of six inches.

   • b. Remove all dead plants, shrubs, and weeds.

   • c. Remove dead or dry leaves and/or pine needles.

   • d. Remove all tree branches at least six feet from the ground.

   • e. Minimum vertical space between the top of shrubs and the bottom of lower tree branches shall be three times the height of the shrub (branches shall be no less than six feet above the ground).

2. Greater than one acre: requirements for 50 feet along the parcel/lot perimeters.

   • a. When deemed a hazard, cut or mow annual grass down to a maximum height of six inches.

   • b. Remove all dead plants, shrubs, and weeds.

   • c. Remove dead or dry leaves and/or pine needles.

   • d. Remove all tree branches at least six feet from the ground.

   • e. Minimum vertical space between the top of shrubs and the bottom of lower tree branches shall be three times the height of the shrub (branches shall be no less than six feet above the ground).

G. DEFENSIBLE SPACE/VEGETATION MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS: DESIGNATED EVACUATION ROADWAYS. The City of Chula Vista requires that vegetation management be provided along City or Fire Chief designated evacuation roadways, and/or along the primary, alternate, contingency, and emergency (PACE) evacuation roadways as identified on the “Chula Vista PACE Evacuation Route Map as adopted in City of Chula Vista (Community Wildfire Protection Plan) CWPP.” Vegetation management shall consist of owners of property removing and/or clearing 30 feet on each side of designated roadways.

1. Cut or mow annual grass down to a maximum height of six inches.

2. Remove all flammable/non-Fire Smart vegetation.

3. Remove invasive species.

4. Remove all dead plants, shrubs, and weeds.

5. Remove dead or dry leaves and/or pine needles.

6. Tree canopy and branches shall not extend over any portion of the roadway.

7. Remove all tree branches at least six feet from the ground.

8. Minimum vertical space between the top of shrubs and the bottom of lower tree branches shall be three times the height of the shrub (branches shall be no less than six feet above the ground). (Ord. 3599 § 2, 2025).

The notice required pursuant to CVMC 8.32.010 shall be given by posting in a conspicuous place upon the property, land or lot located in the City, upon which, or upon the street, parkway or sidewalk in front of which such hazardous weeds, vegetation, vegetation rubbish or other designated material may be, a notice headed: “Notice to Clean Premises,” in letters not less than one inch in height, and which shall be in legible characters, and which directs the removal of the hazardous weeds, vegetation, vegetation rubbish or other designated material, as the case may be, and refers to this chapter for further particulars. Personal service of a notice similar in substance upon the owner, occupant or agent in charge of such property, land or lot shall dispense with the posting of the notice herein provided for. (Ord. 3599 § 2, 2025).

Within 10 days from the date of posting of such notice, or in case of personal service of notice, within 10 days from the date of such personal service thereof, the owner of or any person interested in such property, land or lot affected by such notice may appeal to the City Manager pursuant to Chapter 1.40 CVMC for the requirements thereof. (Ord. 3599 § 2, 2025).

It shall be the duty of the owner, the agent of the owner or the person in possession of any lot in the City within 30 days from the date of posting of the notice provided for in CVMC 8.32.010, or in case a personal notice is given, within 30 days from the date of such personal service thereof, or in case of an appeal to the City Manager, within 20 days from the determination thereof, unless the same is sustained, to clean and remove therefrom, any street, parkway, sidewalk, property, lands or lot located in the City, all hazardous weeds, vegetation, vegetation rubbish, trees, or portions of trees. (Ord. 3599 § 2, 2025).

If such owner, agent or person in possession of such property fails to remove such hazardous weeds, vegetation, vegetation rubbish, trees, or portions of trees, from such property within the time specified in this chapter for the removal of the same, the Fire Chief has the authority to cause the removal of such hazardous weeds, vegetation, vegetation rubbish, trees, or portions of trees therefrom. (Ord. 3599 § 2, 2025).

The Fire Chief shall determine the charge to be made for the removal of such materials and assess the same upon each lot or subdivision of land separately, which assessment shall include the cost of removal and of collecting therefor, together with 25 percent thereof to be added thereto to cover interest on the cost thereof and incidental expenses. (Ord. 3599 § 2, 2025).

The determination of such charges by the Fire Chief as to the amount so assessed may be appealed to the City Manager pursuant to Chapter 1.40 CVMC. If, upon appeal, the requirements of the original notice are modified or the amount so assessed by the Fire Chief is modified, the Fire Chief, in removing, or causing to be removed, such hazardous weeds, vegetation, vegetation rubbish, trees, or portions of trees, or in making such assessment as hereinabove provided for, shall be governed by the determination so made. (Ord. 3599 § 2, 2025).

Such assessment or tax shall be entered by the City Clerk upon the real property tax assessment rolls upon certification by the Fire Chief as to such amount, and when so entered, shall become a lien upon the real property involved, and the tax shall be collected by the Director of Finance in the manner and form provided for the collection of other City taxes. (Ord. 3599 § 2, 2025).