Background

In light of the devastating January 2025 Los Angeles area fires and increased risk of wildfires in the region, removal of weeds and other fuels is important to protect the Parklands and adjacent homes. At the April 8, 2025, meeting City Council adopted Resolution No. R25-09 amending the Parklands and Encroachment Policy and approving a temporary no-fee weed abatement permit program allowing residents to perform additional weed abatement on public property.  

This process serves a public purpose by performing weed abatement services otherwise performed and paid for by the City while also mitigating wildfire risk. The program removes impediments and red tape for residents who wish to perform this type of work, and should benefit the City and public safety. 

 In summary, private persons may hire licensed and bonded contractors to perform weed abatement in Parklands.

Program Requirements

Under the pilot program, a private person must first file a Weed Abatement Intake Form with the Public Works Department for permission to remove weeds from Parklands.  Tree trimming is not authorized as part of this program, and the specific work will have to be identified and approved by the City prior to the issuance of a permit.  

The follow limitations apply to all no-fee permits issued under the Weed Abatement Program:

1. Only licensed and bonded contractors may apply on behalf of a private person (e.g. a property owner, non-profit organization, etc.) to perform weed abatement in Parklands.
2. Only living or dead weeds of species eligible for removal (as indicated in the most recent Weed Abatement Removal Matrix on file with the City) may be removed.
3. Only dead shrubs of species eligible for removal (as indicated in the most recent Weed Abatement Removal Matrix of file with the City) may be removed.
4. Only living shrubs of species eligible for removal (as indicated in the most recent Weed Abatement Removal Matrix of file with the City) may be removed.
5. No living or dead trees or portions of trees may be removed. For purposes of the Weed Abatement Program, “trees” has the same meaning as “trees or shrubs” and “street trees” defined in PVEMC 12.16.20.
6. If the area of weed abatement is adjacent to private property, the work may only be performed within 50 feet of the property line, and only with the written authorization of the property owner(s).
7. Before and after photos must be submitted by the contractor. 

Should contractors and private individuals violate the program terms or deviate or exceed the authorized scope of work, they will be subject to the same escalating administrative fines established for vegetative encroachments (Resolution R2129) of up to $5,000 per violation. Contractors who perform work that violates the scope and conditions of the permit will be ineligible to obtain another permit for a period of 2 years. The Public Works Director may also, in his/her sole discretion, permanently ban contractors from the program if they violate the permit scope and conditions or any city policy or ordinance.  

How to Apply

1. Requestor fills out the weed abatement intake form. 
2. Selected contractor fills out public encroachment permit. 
3. Once both documents are processed and approved by the Urban Forester and Engineering Division, work way commence with program requirements in mind.