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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
A. The Los Angeles Fire Department has decided to discontinue the use of Self Inspection Affidavits. A NEW user-friendly program has been established that continues to promote the protection of lives and property, and allows property owners to exempt their parcel(s) from the Initial Inspection Fee. Take the following steps to exempt your parcel(s) from the 2022 Initial Inspection Fee:
1. Conduct a thorough and comprehensive inspection of your property; and
2. Remove any and all hazardous vegetation and refuse, as defined in L.A.M.C. Section 57.322 by May 15, 2022.
A. Prior to May 15, 2022, compare your native brush and landscape vegetation with information on our website’s (vms3.lafd.org) “Clearance Requirement” tab. If you are not able to clear your property yourself, hire a professional who can both understand the information and apply it to your property. If you need assistance securing a brush clearance contractor, visit the Brush Unit website at www.lafd.org/brush and click on ‘Brush Clearance Vendor List’. Clean your property as required prior to May 15, 2022, to ensure that you pass the Initial Inspection, avoiding potentially costly Non-Compliance fees.
A. It is the responsibility of every property owner to understand the boundaries of their entire parcel(s). If the property lines of your property are not clear, you can utilize the following websites for assistance:
www.maps.assessor.lacounty.gov/m/– allows you to identify your parcel on the assessor map using your assessor parcel number (APN) or address. Property line dimensions are also included on this map.
www.zimas.lacity.org – allows you to view your parcel in a colored satellite view. The image may not be the most current but can allow you to see landmarks and how they relate to your parcel regarding property lines.
This site has other features that can be useful. For example, to check if your property is in the Zone – open the map of your parcel using your APN or address. In the left hand column, click on the blue line item labeled ‘Additional’. The row, Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone will read either ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.
The Brush Unit’s website www.lafd.org/brush is very informative and can be helpful prior to beginning the brush clearance on your parcel(s).
Satisfactorily complete your annual brush clearance by May 15, 2022 in order to be exempt from the 2022 Initial Inspection Fee of $31.
To view secured information regarding your annual brush inspection log onto www.vms3.lafd.org with your registered email/password or create a new account. A registered account qualifies you to receive an automated email notifying you that your Initial Inspection has been completed (in real time).
A. The Brush Clearance Unit begins Initial Inspections on May 15, 2022, and should be completed with all 141,000 Initial Inspections by June 30, 2022. It is not possible to schedule or reschedule your Initial Inspection.
Should the Brush Unit inspect and fail your parcel prior to brush clearance, you should expect to receive a notice of Non-Compliance in the mail within 7-10 days. As set forth in the notice, you will have 30 days to bring your property into compliance. Because the parcel failed the Initial Inspection, you will be assessed an Initial Inspection Fee of $31. An invoice for $31 should be mailed to you mid July- August.
A. The Los Angeles City Fire Department has the responsibility of notifying all property owners owning property in the VHFHSZ of the Brush Clearance Program. However, if you would like to Go Green and Go Paperless, register an account with www.vms3.lafd.org and agree to receive all notifications from the Brush Clearance Unit via email. A registered account will opt you out of all paper notifications in the fut
