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EUGENE Public Works Notice of Vegetation Control Requirements Maintenance 1820 Roosevelt Boulevard Eugene, Oregon 97402 Dear Property Owner, (503) 687 -5220 Due to unseasonably dry conditions and the early growth of vegetation, we as a community face a very real danger of catastrophic fire. In the south and west hills, with a large number homes built in and among dense vegetation, this danger is even more severe. Eugene's Public Works Department and Department of Public Safety are working together to educate residents and property owners on how to reduce fire hazards to their properties and neighborhoods. The purpose of this notice is to inform owners of property in high fire risk areas of their responsibilities for vegetation maintenance and of the importance of vegetation control in reducing the risk of fire. The City has developed a vegetation management program to enforce provisions of the municipal code which requires obnoxious vegetation to be maintained at a height of less than ten inches and from encroaching on abutting properties. The goal of this program is to ensure public safety by informing property owners of their responsibility under the code and encouraging voluntary compliance. The city code requirements are intended to control vegetation that may pose a fire hazard, impair traffic visibility, or which obstructs a public right -of- way. Because of the increased fire danger this year, the vegetation management program is placing extra emphasis on compliance in high risk areas through increased education, inspection and enforcement efforts. If voluntary compliance with a code requirement is not achieved, the city will take action to abate violations and bill the property owner the costs incurred. Provisions of the Eugene code specify requirements for control of "obnoxious" vegetation on developed and undeveloped property, and property owner's responsibility for maintaining the vegetation on public right -of- ways and easements abutting their property. For developed property these provisions are enforced year round, and include keeping grass and weeds below ten inches in height; removal of vegetation that obstructs streets, alleys, and sidewalks; eliminating visual obstructions at street and alley intersections; and preventing blackberries and other obnoxious vegetation from encroaching over property lines. Owners of developed property found in violation of these provisions will be notified to correct the problem. City code requires that undeveloped property be kept free of weeds and grass more than ten inches high between June 15th and September 30th and other obnoxious vegetation year round. In May the city notified owners of undeveloped property of their responsibilities for vegetation control. The city will begin inspecting undeveloped properties on June 15th and may abate violations without further notice. The Department of Public Safety's Fire Prevention Bureau has developed a fire education program, called "No fire in My Back Yard. Part of this program is the community meeting noted on the enclosed invitation. Other aspects will include fire crews walking through high -risk neighborhoods giving residents tips on fire safety, and combined Vegetation Program / Fire Prevention Bureau inspections. Beyond the minimum code requirements for vegetation control, here are some general guidelines for maintenance of vegetation to help protect your home from fire: • Trim tree limbs away from house(s); • Keep yards well trimmed and free of debris; • Provide and maintain good access for emergency vehicles and be sure address is visible from the road. • Trim brush away from house, a 30' non - combustible fire break is ideal but any removal of brush helps. Thank you for participating in the community effort to reduce the risk of a serious fire in your neighborhood and for your cooperation in complying with vegetation control requirements. For more information about the "No Fire in My Back Yard" program, please call "No Fire Central" at 687 -5411. If you have questions regarding city code requirements for vegetation control, please call 683 -6821 or write to: Public Works Maintenance Division, 1820 Roosevelt Blvd., Eugene, Oregon 97402.