Weed Abatement Notice FAQs

I see on my USPS Informed Delivery email that I got something from the Fire Department what is it?

2024 Weed Abatement Letter Mailed to property owners 

Priority Defensible Space Requirements

Can you recommend any weed abatement or landscape service providers?

As we are a government agency, we do not make any recommendations for contractors or service providers for these private services.

My property is land-locked and I can’t even access it, what do I do?

Please check this list of Assessor Parcel Numbers (Special Parcel List)

Should your Parcel Number be included on this list, they are vacant and in a non-developed tract. We have come to realize the challenges these parcels have due to their inaccessibility, and are currently considering alternative options to address these properties collectively. Further notices will not be issued at this time.

I have a vacant lot. Do I still need to abate it?

If it is not on the land-locked list referenced above, yes, you need to abate it based upon our Priority Defensible Space Requirements. (Priority Defensible Space Requirements)

Can someone come out to do a pre-inspection?

Yes. You can pay for an inspection on your property. The current cost is $95 and is scheduled based upon staff’s workload.

I sold the property, so what do I do with the notice?

Our mailing list is based upon the local Tax Assessor’s Property Owners information. It maybe that its database has not caught up to the sale of your property. You may disregard the notice.

Are Lilacs on the list of High Energy Release Vegetation?

No, they are not.

Is there any financial assistance available from the Fire Department, such as grant funds?

While the Big Bear Fire Department does not have any grant funds for weed abatement, the Mountain Rim Fire Safe Council has received funding through Cal FIRE’s California Climate Investment grant program to assist property owners with abatement notices to bring their properties into compliance with fire hazard and defensible space requirements. Its website is www.FireSafeNow.org for an application; however, an application does not guarantee approval for assistance.

Why isn’t my neighbor having to comply?

It may be that your neighbor has received a Notice of Violation and/or Citation. If you like, you may submit a Citizen Concern Report to provide additional documentation.

Will I still get a warning first before a citation?

The notification letter is your warning. A notice of violation is not guaranteed to be issued in advance of a citation.