The basic objective of the Exterior Hazard Control Unit’s Weed Abatement program is to eliminate the incidence of grass and rubbish fires, where possible, and to reduce the severity of such fires 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 on their property that may endanger their neighbors and the community at large. Every property owner, regardless of type – including residential, commercial, and parcels of land — is ultimately responsible for managing their vegetation to meet Fire District requirements.

Weed Abatement

The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District has established minimum standards for weed abatement. Minimum Standards bulletin

“Weeds” means all wild plants growing on streets or private property in this jurisdiction. These include sagebrush, chaparral (chamise, coyote brush, greasewood, broom brush, buckwheat), dry grass, stubble, brush, and 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.

2023 Weed Abatement Deadlines

East County – June 4, 2023 (Includes the following communities:
Antioch, Brentwood, Oakley, the Township of Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Knightsen, Byron, MarshCreek, and Morgan Territory)

Central County – June 4, 2023 (Includes the following communities: Clayton, Clyde, Concord, Lafayette, Martinez, Pacheco, Pleasant Hill, Rossmoor and Walnut Creek)

West County – June 4, 2023 (Includes the following communities: East Richmond Heights, El Sobrante, North Richmond, San Pablo, unincorporated Pinole, Tara Hills, and Montalvin Manor)

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 925-941-3300 x3904.

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.

Weed Abatement Contractor Lists