As vegetation throughout the county starts to lose its moisture and is more prone to burn; parcels located throughout Contra Costa County Fire Protection District’s jurisdiction that are not being maintained become more susceptible to exterior fire.  These fires are able to grow rapidly in size and intensity when hazardous vegetation and combustible debris are allowed to accumulate.

The basic objective of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District’s Weed Abatement program is to eliminate the incidence of exterior fires that are attributed to hazardous vegetation such as cured grass, weeds, shrubs and combustible debris such as paper, cardboard, and plastics, where possible, and to reduce the severity of such fires where they cannot be totally eliminated.

It is a parcel owner’s responsibility to eliminate exterior fire hazards on their parcel; which may also endanger their neighbors and the community at large. Every parcel owner, regardless of property type – including residential, commercial, and vacant land — is ultimately responsible for managing the hazardous vegetation on their parcel and to ensure the hazardous vegetation meets Contra Costa County Fire Protection District’s Minimum Weed Abatement Standards.

The requirement to abate hazardous vegetation and combustible materials, from parcels, can be found in the California Health & Safety Code Section, Division 12, Part 5, and in Contra Costa County Ordinance 2023-07. “Weeds” means all wild plants growing on streets or private property in this jurisdiction. These include dry grass, tree litter, litter, or other flammable materials which are capable of being ignited and endangering the public safety by creating a fire hazard. Also includes brush that attain such a large growth as to become, when dry, a fire hazard to adjacent improved property.

Weed Abatement Standards

The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District has established Minimum Weed Abatement Standards for all parcels located within Fire District’s jurisdiction. 

Minimum Standards bulletin

2025 Weed Abatement Deadlines

East County – May 12, 2025 (Includes the following communities: Antioch, Bay Point Bethel Island, Brentwood, Byron, the Township of Discovery Bay, Knightsen, Marsh Creek, Morgan Territory, Oakley, Pittsburg

Central County – June 1, 2025 (Includes the following communities: Clayton, Clyde, Concord, Lafayette, Martinez, Pacheco, Pleasant Hill, Rossmoor and Walnut Creek)

West County – June 1 2025 (Includes the following communities: East Richmond Heights, El Sobrante, North Richmond, San Pablo, unincorporated Pinole, Tara Hills, and Montalvin Manor)

Weed Abatement Extension Request

Weed abatement extension request may only be submitted after a Final Notice for abatement has been issued.

Note:  weed abatement extension requests will not be accepted after July 4th.

If you have received a Final Notice

To request an extension:

Email –  exhaz@cccfpd.org

 Or

In Person at 4005 Port Chicago Hwy, Concord, Suite 250

Provide the Assessors Parcel Number (APN) or the CE number.

If you have not received a Final Notice

Please continue with your weed abatement efforts.  Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Inspectors will be continuing with inspections throughout the fire season.

Properties must continue to maintain the weed abatement standards for the duration of the fire season.  The fire season will be dependent upon weather conditions but usually expires around late October.

To view the Weed Abatement Standards copy and paste this url into your browser:

Weed Abatement Standards

If you have any further questions regarding weed abatement please email: exhaz@cccfpd.org

Weed Abatement Contractor Lists

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.

To find a Weed Abatement contractor in your area – select the corresponding hyperlink: