The basic objective of the Exterior Hazard Control Division’s Weed Abatement program is to eliminate the incidents of grass and rubbish fires where possible and to reduce the severity where they cannot be eliminated.

Every year, fires threaten homes and properties as a result of unnecessary combustible debris and vegetation. It is every property owner’s responsibility to eliminate these fire hazards upon their property that may endanger their neighbors and the community at large. Every property owner, regardless of residential, commercial, or parcels of land are ultimately responsible for managing their vegetation to meet fire district requirements. As a public service, the fire district offers lists of some area contractors who perform vegetation management work, such as, mowing, disking, and "weed-eating". The fire district does not endorse contractors nor imply approval of the quality of work performed.

Weed Abatement

The East Contra Costa Fire Protection District has established minimum standards for weed abatement.

"Weeds" means all wild plants growing upon the streets or private property in this jurisdiction. It includes sagebrush, chaparral (chamise, coyote brush, greasewood, broom brush, buckwheat), dry grass, stubble, brush, litter, or other flammable materials which are capable of being ignited and endangering the public safety by creating a fire hazard.

Property owners are ultimately responsible for managing their vegetation to meet fire district requirements. As a public service, the fire district offers lists of some area contractors who perform vegetation management work, such as, mowing, discing, and "weed-eating". The fire district does not endorse contractors nor imply approval of the quality of work performed.

Weed Abatement Complaints

The official start to our fire season is May 16, 2022.  

If you have identified an area which you believe may be a fire hazard and may require abatement you may now submit a report. 

Property owners are ultimately responsible to verify abatement meets fire district requirements.

For more information regarding Weed Abatement, please contact the Exterior Hazard Control Division at (925) 240-2139

Defensible Space

Defensible space is an area around a building in which vegetation, debris and other types of combustible fuels have been treated, cleared, or reduced to slow the spread of fire to and from the building.

The most important person in protecting houses from wildfire is not a firefighter, but the property owner. It is the action taken by the owner before the wildfire occurs that is most critical. Everyone needs to know about defensible space.

100 Feet of Defensible Space is the Law

In January 2005 a new state law became effective that extended the defensible space clearance around homes and structures from 30 feet to 100 feet. Proper clearance to 100 feet dramatically increases the chance of your house surviving a wildfire. This defensible space also provides for firefighter safety when protecting homes during a wildland fire.

Learn How You Can Create Defensible Space Around Your Home

Weed Abatement Contractor Lists