LAFD outlines brush‑clearance rules, inspection schedule and wildfire preparedness steps
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Summary
Los Angeles Fire Department staff briefed the council and public on brush‑clearance rules, enforcement timelines, and wildfire readiness resources; the briefing included web resources, compliance fees and steps for residents and property owners.
The Los Angeles Fire Department gave a detailed presentation on brush‑clearance requirements, inspection timelines and wildfire preparedness protocols for properties in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
Captain Eric Scott outlined the clearance rules: owners should trim weeds and grass down to three inches, remove the bottom third of bushes and keep the bottom six feet of trees pruned. Building perimeters should be clear for five feet from rooflines and 10 feet from chimneys, fences and roadways; the standards apply within 200 feet of any structure. LAFD emphasized that maintained fruit trees and hedges are not subject to removal, provided they contain no dead or dry materials.
LAFD explained the inspection and enforcement sequence: an initial inspection (May 1–June 30 window) is followed by a mailed notice and a 30‑day correction period. A failed reinspection results in contractor abatement and invoicing. LAFD gave fee amounts: a $33 noncompliance fee for an initial violation, a $668 fee for a contractor abatement, plus an administrative fee (example cited $1,498) for the cost of city clearing when the department must engage contractors.
The city recommended property owners register on the LAFD brush‑clearance portal (vms3.lafd.org) to check assessement status using the APN and PIN on mailed notices. LAFD also provided an email (lafdbrush@lacity.org) and a phone contact (+1 800‑994‑4444) for questions; office hours were listed as Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–3 p.m. The department urged residents to avoid confrontations on neighbors’ property and to report hazards with exact address and APN to speed response.
LAFD and emergency management staff also discussed the Wildfire Resilience Alliance and coordination with the Emergency Operations Center for large incidents, emphasized the importance of “defensible space,” and urged Angelenos to review preparedness resources at emergency.lacity.org and mysafela.org.
Practical takeaways: residents should check the LAFD portal, address cited clearance violations within 30 days to avoid contractor abatement fees, and prepare evacuation‑ready vehicles (fuel, face‑out parking) during heightened wildfire weather.