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BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
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Jimmie Woods-Gray
(President)
Jimmy H. Hara, M.D.
(Vice President)
Delia Ibarra, ESQ.
Corinne Talbot
Babcock
Roy Harvey
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Leticia Gomez
(Executive Assistant II)
CALIFORNIA
Karen Bass
(Mayor)
FIRE DEPARTMENT
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(Fire Chief)
Kristin M. Crowley
BRUSH CLEARANCE UNIT
6262 VAN NUYS BLVD. #451
VAN NUYS, CA 91401
Phone Hours: 7:00 a.m to 3:30 p.m
Monday – Friday 800-944-4444
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THIS NOTICE IS INFORMATIONAL ONLY – THIS IS NOT A BILL
March 10, 2023
Dear Property Owner,
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) provides a thorough and comprehensive brush program to protect lives and property for those who live in and enjoy the hillside communities within the City of Los Angeles. Section 57.4906.5.2. of the Los Angeles Municipal Code (L.A.M.C) and Ordinance No. 172449 adopted by the Los Angeles City Council and approved by the Mayor provide the Fire Department the authority to collect a fee for inspection for properties located within the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ).
A $31* Inspection fee has been instituted to recover the cost associated with the initial brush inspection, which is conducted by a team of Fire Inspectors to identify hazards during the months of May and June. Property owners that are not in compliance with the Brush Clearance Ordinance shall be issued a Notice(s) of Noncompliance, and billed $31* for the initial inspection. Inspection related bills will be mailed beginning August 2023, and must be paid by the dates specified on the bill. Failure to submit payment will result in an assessment of a 200% penalty.
The ordinance provides an opportunity for the property owners to avoid the $31* inspection fee by maintaining their property in accordance with the provisions set forth in L.A.M.C Section 57.4906.5., et seq. To avoid the assessment of an inspection fee, brush clearance shall be conducted and completed within the requirements defined in L.A.M.C Section 57.4906.5. by May 1, 2023. If the property fails the compliance inspection after May 1, 2023, property owners will be fined the $31* failed inspection fee. The safety of your home can be significantly increased with proper brush clearance, advanced planning, and preparation. Brush clearance is a year-round responsibility. Thank you for your continued support and cooperation. For general questions or concerns, please contact the Brush Clearance Unit via phone at (800) 994-4444 between the hours of 8:00 a.m and 03:00 p.m Monday – Friday, email us at lafdbrush@lacity.org or visit our websites at www.lafd.org/brush and www.vms3.lafd.org. For billing questions please contact the LAFD Accounting Department at lafd.brushacctg@lacity.org.
Very truly yours,
Orin Saunders
Fire Marshal
REGISTER WITH VMS3
AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY-AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER
TAKE THE FOLLOWING STEPS TO PREPARE YOUR PARCEL(S), AND AVOID A 2023 INSPECTION FEE ($31)*
Step 1. Conduct a thorough and comprehensive inspection of your property.
Step 2. Remove any hazardous refuse or hazardous vegetation from the property as defined in L.A.M.C. Section 57.4906.5 (See page 3 for minimum requirements) by May 1, 2023.
It is not necessary to notify the Fire Department after completing Steps 1 and 2. The Fire Department will automatically conduct the initial inspection of your parcel(s) beginning May 1, 2023 through June 30, 2023.
– SECOND INSPECTION (FAIL) =
$31* INITITIAL INSPECTION FEE PLUS SECOND INSPECTION FEE OF $674*
PARCELS FAILING FIRST INSPECTION AND REMAINING IN NONCOMPLIANCE AFTER SECOND INSPECTION SHALL BE CLEARED BY CITY CONTRACTORS AND BILLED TO THE PROPERTY OWNER.
CONTRACTING ADMINISTRATIVE FEE OF $1398* + CONTRACTOR’S LOWEST BID PRICE + FIRST INSPECTION FEE ($31)* + SECOND INSPECTION FEE ($674)*
The Los Angeles City Fire Department is the final authority in determining compliance.
To View Secured Information regarding your annual brush inspection, log onto www.vms3.lafd.org, register a Brush Clearance account and follow the brush status of your property through 2023. Simply use the APN and PIN that is printed next to the name and address on this form.
With a registered account:
1. The status of your property (Compliance or Noncompliance) can be determined.
2. If Noncompliant, the photos of brush hazards on your property are viewable.
3. You will receive a Noncompliance emailed notification at the time of the failed inspeciton.
If you have registered your property(s) with VMS3 the previous year, there is NO need to register that parcel again.
Maintaining your property in accordance with L.A.M.C Section 57.4906.5 is due by May 1, 2023, and is a year round responsibility. To assure continuous compliance, it may be necessary for you to conduct a thorough inspection and maintenance clearing of your property MORE THAN ONCE A YEAR.
*SUBJECT TO CHANGE
The above general requirements also apply to landscape vegetation.
You Are Only Responsible To Clean Your Property.
The Brush Clearance Program: visit lafd.org/brush– this site is informative and can be helpful prior to beginning the brush clearance on your parcel(s). If you are not able to clear your property yourself, hire a professional that understands the requirements. If you need assistance securing a brush clearance contractor, click on “Brush Clearance Vendor List.” This website also provides new information such as RESTRICTIONS ON METAL CUTTING BLADES. To contact the Brush Clearance Unit for any additional information, please email us at lafdbrush@lacity.org
zimas.lacity.org – allows you to view your parcel in colored satellite view. The image is not the most current but displayed landmarks and how they relate to your property lines can be helpful.
https://maps.assessor.lacounty.gov – allows you to identify your parcel on the assessor map using your APN or address. Property line dimensions are also included on this map.
The following links provide Onsite Brush Clearance Training:
https://vimeo.com/164469261
https://vimeo.com/164354384
Need Help with Brush Clearance Invoices?
Contact LAFD Accounting Department – lafd.brushacctg@lacity.org
The safety of your homes can be significantly increased with proper brush clearance, advance planning, and preparation. Brush clearance is a year-round responsibility. Clear Early, Clear Often.
Thank you for you continues support and cooperation.
LONGACRE ESTATES LP C/O EMPIRE WEST
31706 COAST HWY UNIT 303
LAGUNA BEACH, CA 92651
REGISTER AN ACCOUNT USING THE FOLLOWING
Owners of property located in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) shall maintain their property in accordance with the Fire Code (L.A.M.C. 57.322). Year-round compliance shall be maintained as described below on all native brush, weeds, grass, trees and hazardous vegetation within 200 feet of any structures/buildings, whether those structures are on the owner’s property or adjoining properties, and within 10 feet of any combustible fence or roadway/driveway used for vehicular travel.
NOTE: Due to soil erosion, your Brush Clearance Unit does not require neither recommend the removal of roots nor the practice of raking the soil (cutting the vegetation down below the soil surface). The requirement is to maintain hazardous vegetation (brush/grass/weeds) at a maximum height of 3 inches.
NOTE: This requirement does not apply to fruit trees, privacy hedges, and ornamental shrubbery (e.g., Italian cypress trees) provided they are well maintained and free of all dead and dry material.
NOTE: Native Shrubs/Brush are indigenous plants that mostly grow wild without any watering or care. High Energy Release Shrubs/Brush include, but are not limited to, Junipers, Spanish or Scotch Broom, Manzanita, Service Berry, Mountain Mahogany/Whitethorn, Sage, and Rabbit Brush, and as determined by the Fire Chief.
NOTE: Vegetation/branches extending over the sidewalk shall also be trimmed up a minimum of 9 feet vertically from the sidewalk surface to the lowest overhanging branch so as not to obstruct or interfere with the free passage of pedestrians (L.A.M.C. Sec. 56.08).
Mail/Walk In:
BRUSH CLEARANCE UNIT 6262 VAN NUYS BLVD, #451 VAN NUYS, CA 91401
Phone: (800) 994-4444
Hours: 8:00 a.m to 03:00 p.m
Email: lafdbrush@lacity.org
Accounting Services
Billing Questions Call (213) 978-3424
Hours: 8:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m
Email: lafd.brushacctg@lacity.org