BEVERLY HILLS FIRE DEPARTMENTFire Prevention Bureau

445 North Rexford Drive

Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Vegetation clearance is a year round responsibility. CLEAR EARLY, CLEAR OFTEN.

OFFICIALFIRE DEPARTMENT

NOTIFICATIONThis brochure was produced with collaboration from various community groups including the Survivable Urban Forest Workgroup and the Citizens Forest Advisory Committee. The Beverly Hills Fire Department gives its sincere thanks to

the California State University, Northridge Art Department and the following staff and students who participated in the development and layout of this brochure:

David Moon - Acting Department Chair, Art DepartmentJerome L. Serna & Rudy M. Flores - Graphic Designers

Paula DiMarco - Associate ProfessorMagdy Rizk - Part-time Professor

Your property is in the“Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone,” and will be inspected on or after April 1, 2020.Dear Property Owners and Residents:

This brochure is provided to communicate your role as a property owner or responsible resident in reducing hazards to make your home “defensible” should a fire occur in your area.

All properties located near wildland areas have the potential of being significantly impacted by wildfires. The Beverly Hills Fire Department has researched and developed a Vegetation Clearance Program which is focused on improving your safety, improving Firefighter safety, and increasing your home’s ability to withstand a major wildfire in your area.

Keeping your property clear of brush hazards is a year round responsibility. The Fire Department personnel will begin the Vegetation Clearance Inspection Program on April 1, 2020. You may be assessed a cost recovery fee for firefighter, staff, clerical and mailing costs associated with conducting the initial inspection. To promote community awareness and participation in the Vegetation Clearance Program, the initial inspection fee will be waived if your property is found to be in compliance with the information provided in this brochure. A pre-inspection walk through of your property with a Fire Inspector can be scheduled by appointment only from December 1st through April 1st. During the appointment, our expert will educate you on how to self-inspect your property throughout the year and identify any landscaping/brush abatement concerns. Please note that the Pre-Inspection Walk Through is not in lieu of the annual inspections that begin April 1st. Property owner needs to be present during the entire walk-through, no exceptions. Contact Community Risk Reduction at (310) 281-2703 to make an appointment. Your safety is our commitment.

If you have further questions, please contact Community Risk Reduction at (310) 281-2703.

Sincerely,Gregory BartonFire ChiefBeverly Hills Fire Department

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When catastrophic fires occur, adequate brush clearance may be the determining factor in which homes will survive, and which will be lost.

INSIDEHow to comply with requirements..................................2

Fuel Modification...........................................................3

Where to clear brush....................................................4

Wood Roof Ordinance.................................................6

How to read your Notice Violation................................6

Requirements................................................................7

Photos and diagrams.....................................2, 4, 8, 10

Evacuation Route Map insert..............Middle of Brochure

BHFD BRUSH CLEARANCE PROGRAM INFORMATION BROCHURE

INSPECTIONS BEGIN

APRIL 1, 2020

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HOW TO COMPLY WITH THE CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS VEGETATION CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS

WHAT IS FUEL MODIFICATION?

Well maintained vegetation creates a greenbelt that reduces risk for these structures.

Share the responsibility

Excessive landscaping vegetation increases the level of risk for these homes, and can be as dangerous as native vegetation.

Community and the Fire Department working together

Do you know where your property lines are? Remember that fences often do not run on property lines. If you do not know your property dimensions, you can access maps from the Los Angeles County Tax Assessor’s office at:http://www.lacountyassessor.com. The most acccurate method is to have a licensed surveyor establish property boundaries.

Self-inspect your property. Compare your vegetation with the diagrams in this brochure. Measure distances from structures to determine what areas require clearance.

Clear hazards and properly remove and dispose of cuttings prior to April 1, the beginning of the Vegetation Clearance Inspection Sweep.

All properties will be charged a cost recovery inspection fee if found to be noncompliant. If you receive a “Notice of Violation,” refer to this brochure to help you understand what additional work needs to be done. Prompt correction (before the compliance due date on the Notice of Violation) is the only way to avoid additional noncompliance reinspection fees.

Fuel Modification is a strip of land between an improved property and wildlands, where combustible vegetation has been removed, thinned, or modified and may be partially or totally replaced with approved drought-tolerant, fire-resistant, and/or irrigated plants to provide an acceptable level of risk from vegetation fires. Fuel modification reduces radiant and convective heat, thereby reducing the amount of heat exposure on the roadway or structure and providing fire suppression personnel a safer area in which to take action. Fuel modification has proven to be a major factor in reducing fire spread onto structures from wildfires. When combined with special building requirements set forth in CBC Chapter 7A, the ignition of structures is further reduced.

As of January 1, 2020 new Fuel Modification requirements are required for new construction or 2,500 sq. ft. of landscaping changes. Properties located in the VHFHSZ are subject to the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) California Code of Regulations Title 23 and required to submit Fuel Modification Landscape Plans for review and approval by the Fire Code Official.

Fuel Modification SubmittalCompliance of fuel modification requirements will be reviewed in collaboration with building and safety. Fuel Modification requirements shall be incorporated into the water efficient landscape plan. Please submit two sets of plans to building and safety for review.

Fuel Modification ContentA Fuel Modification plan shall include the following information:

1. A copy of site plan with property line indicated

2. Location and list of newly planted vegetation

3. Confirmation that prohibited vegetation will not be planted on-site

4. Signed Fuel Modification affidavit from landscape architect and owner

Upon final approval of permit, the landscape architect shall inspect and certify installation of the vegetation in conformance to the approved plan.

Maintenance of vegetation on private property shall be ongoing and the responsibility of property owner per BHMC 4906.3.1

Questions?Fire Department Fuel Modification standard is available at http://www.beverlyhills.org/fdplancheckFor Information on tree removals on private property, please first contact Community Development at 310-285-1411.

Council-approved cost recovery and fee structure for brush inspections beginning FY 2019/2020

Inspections Inspection Fees Total

No Violation Found on 1st Inspection No Fee

Non-Compliance on 1st Inspection $446.00

Continued Non-Compliance on 2nd Inspection $446.00

Continued Non-Compliance on 3rd Inspection $782.00

Lot Clearing by City Staff Actual Cost

HOW VEGETATION AFFECTS FIRE SPREAD AND INTENSITY:

Pine Tree Fire can easily spread from dry pine needles that accumulate on tree or surrounding area.

Tree fire too close to structures can easily ignite spread the fire by direct flame impingement or embers.

Embers produced by fire can ignite structures or surrounding combustibles.

No defensible space can bring fire / flames to your front door.

Eucalyptus Tree fire can easily spread from dry bark shedding skin on trunk or surrounding area.

Dry debris can easily ignite and spread fire.

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WHERE TO CLEAR WHAT TO REMOVE

BEFORE AND AFTER

WHAT ABOUT OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

You are only responsible for vegetation and hazards that are on your property.Requirements apply to any portion of your property that is within 200 feet of any structure, even if the structure is not on your property, including structures across the street.

The area within 100 feet of a structure must be maintained to provide a “Defensible Space” where vegetation is less flammable and not excessive in volume. This “Defensible Space” allows firefighters to work around the structure while protecting it from fire.

The area up to 200 feet from structures is the “Fuel Modification Area.” Reduction of the volume of plant material lessens the likelihood that radiated heat would ignite the structure. In extreme wind-driven fires, flame lengths can reach well beyond 100 feet.

YOU ARE ONLY REQUIRED TO CLEAR ON YOUR OWN PROPERTY.

Clearance is required:• within 10 feet of roadways, (driveway, road, alley)

• within 10 feet of combustible fences

• within 200 feet of structures

• within 250 feet of structures with slopes greater than 25 percent from horizontal plane.

• Remove all dead material. This includes dead trees and dead shrubs. It also includes dead branches and dead undergrowth in live plants.

• Remove any foliage that is within 10 feet of a chimney outlet.

• Prune tree branches to create a 5-foot clearance to any portion of structures roof edge and maintain vertical clearance.

• Remove all or most native plants from the “Defensible Space” within 100 feet of structures. Prune the branches from the lower third of any native plants you keep in this area, and keep these plants spaced 18 feet apart. If the plant is over 18 feet in height, you only need to prune the lower 6 feet.

• Reduce the fuel load in the “Fuel Modification Zone” from 100 feet to 200 feet from structures. Prune the branches from the lower third of any native plants you keep in this area. If the plant is over 18 feet in height, you only need to prune the lower 6 feet.

Slope Stability Problems:Most brush clearance has little or no effect on slope stability and erosion. If you believe compliance with the brush clearance requirements will seriously increase the risk of slope problems, please contact Community Risk Reduction for more information.

Appointments for Inspections:The Fire Department does not normally make appointments for inspections due to the large number of properties involved and the limited staff to perform the inspections. Plan to have your property in compliance before inspections begin on April 1, 2020.

Restricted Parking:During “Extreme Fire Weather Conditions” the City of Beverly Hills will restrict parking on certain streets north of Sunset, in the “Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone.” These parking restrictions are required to ensure that residents can evacuate the area and firefighting equipment can get into the area.

Property lines are shown in green. Large numbers in black squares indicate parcel numbers.• PARCEL 4 needs roadside fence clearance and clearance for house on parcel 5.

• PARCEL 5 needs clearance within 200 feet of house on parcel 6 and their own house.

• All of PARCEL 6 is within 200 feet of structures and must be cleared.

• PARCEL 7 must clear within 200 feet of house on parcel 6 and within 10 feet of the fence between their land and parcel 8.

• PARCEL 8 must be cleared for house on parcel 5, the roadside and the combustible fences.

• PARCEL 9 needs roadside and combustible fence clearance.

Flammable Tree Clearances to Structures:A widely acceptable standard is that flammable trees should be no closer than 30 feet (edge of crown) from adjacent structures, but it is considered safer to minimize these trees within the first 100 feet, even when they are provided maintenance.

More Information:Community Risk Reduction

at (310) 281-2703

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NOTICE OF VIOLATION

ADDRESS

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CHECKED VIOLATIONSBoxes checked in this area

indicate the violations noted by the inspector.

COMMENTSComments are specific to your

property.

READING YOUR NOTIFICATIONHow to read your Notice

of Non-Compliance

WOOD ROOF ORDINANCEFor further information regarding the wood roof ordinance: Please contact the Building and Safety Department at (310) 285-1141 or visitwww.beverlyhills.org/woodroof.

Inspections will begin April 1, 2020. If the Inspector finds a violation on your property, a “Notice of Violation” will be mailed or emailed if you provide us with an email address with information about the violation(s).

Properties abandoned / vacant will be posted and documented accordingly. Last recorded owner will be responsible for maintenance of property.

Properties currently undergoing construction or demolition will comply to the same standard. This includes maintaining the property free of debris and combustibles from property.

You can use this brochure to help you understand what the violations mean, and what you need to do about them.

4906.4Authority of the Fire Chief to modify brush clearing requirements.

If the fire chief determines in any specific case that difficult terrain, danger of erosion, or other unusual circumstances make strict compliance with the clearance of vegetation provisions of this section undesirable or impractical, he may suspend the enforcement thereof and require reasonable alternative measures. Nothing contained in this subsection shall be deemed to preclude the chief from requiring more than the minimum specific requirements set forth above when the chief determines that conditions exist which necessitate greater fire protection measures.”

REQUIREMENTSThe following shall comply to Section 4906.3.1 of the Beverly Hills

Municipal Code:1. Remove all dead dry native brush, weeds, grass, and hazardous vegetation situated within two hundred feet (200) of any

structure, regardless of whether said structure is located upon such land or upon adjacent land shall be maintained and cleared of fire hazard.

2. When a slope greater than 25 percent from horizontal plane is located within 200-feet from any structure the vegetation clearance shall be no less than 250-feet. This may include reducing vegetation through thinning, pruning or removal per the Fire Code Official.

3. All native brush, weeds, grass and hazardous vegetation within ten feet (10’) of any combustible fence shall be maintained at a height of not more than three inches (3”) above the ground.

4. Remove all vegetation underneath all decks, platforms and balconies. No combustible debris shall accumulate underneath said areas.5. Trees shall be trimmed so that the foliage is no closer than 10-feet from the outlet of any chimney.6. Inorganic mulch, wood chips, or similar combustible products shall not be placed within 15 feet of any structure or within 5

feet of any combustible perimeter fence.7. All roof structures shall be kept free of substantial accumulations of leaves, needles, twigs, and other combustible matter.

Overhanging trees shall not be within 5-feet to any portion of the structures roof edge and maintain vertical clearance.EXCEPTION: Existing trees that are maintained, thinned-out and approved by the Fire Code Official.

8. Remove and safely dispose of all cut or bagged vegetation debris which includes grass, shrubs, trees or similar vegetation.9. Tree crowns and canopies shall be separated horizontally from other tree crowns and canopies by a minimum of 10-feet.

Single grouping of shrubs shall be limited to a 10-foot diameter and spaced 10-feet apart.EXCEPTION: Privacy shrubs that are maintained free of debris and provide a minimum 5-foot clearance to structures.

10. Trees that are taller than 18 feet shall have lower branches trimmed so that no foliage is within 6-feet off the ground. Trees or shrubs less than 18-feet in height shall have lower branches trimmed so that no foliage is within one-third off the ground.

11. Remove dead material from live plants, trees, or other vegetation which include dead and or dry bearded palm fronds. All dead trees and vegetation shall be completely removed from the property.

12. Erosion to hillsides and slopes shall be prevented by the following: (Erosion control from abatement)1. Dead/dry grass or vegetation on a hillside or slope shall be maintained no taller than 3” in height to prevent disturbance to soil.2. Dead trees removed on a hillside or slope are permitted to have a stump up to 3 feet in height to prevent disturbance to soil.

13. All vegetation shall be maintained in such a manner to lessen the fuel supply and to augment the spread or intensity of a fire.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:4906.3.4 Vines and Climbing Ornamental Plants: Existing vines and climbing plants attached to structures located in the VHFHSZ must be maintained in a well-watered condition, free of excessive dead material and trimmed to minimize fire propagation. Failure to maintain shall require immediate abatement.

4906.3.5 Additional Clearance Requirements for Slopes. Additional clearances of up to 250 feet shall be required for properties that have slopes. This may include thinning of trees, providing additional horizontal distance between crown / canopy of trees, grouping of shrubs or removing other vegetation on slopes greater than or equal to 25 percent from horizontal plane.

4906.3.6 Additional Clearance to Existing Single Family Dwellings with Wood Roofs: Additional clearances to existing single family dwellings with wood roofs shall provide a 10 ft. clearance from all portions of the roof. Exception: Existing trees difficult to remove shall be trimmed and thinned out per fire department approval.

4906.3.7 Other Safety Measures. Fire wood piles shall be located 15 feet away from structure unless covered by an approved fire resistive tarp or placed in a non-combustible bin.

4906.3.10 Replanting diseased or dead vegetation. Replanting existing vegetation that becomes dead or diseased shall be replaced with an alternate tree, shrub, or grass that is not prohibited.

4906.3.11 Prohibited Vegetation in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. The following trees, shrubs and grass shall not be planted in new or modified landscaping located in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone in accordance with current Beverly Hills Fire Department Fuel Modification Standard 19-004

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EXPLANATION OF REQUIREMENTS1. Requirement 1 refers to NATIVE VEGETATION. It must be cut to 3 inches in height unless it is trimmed up 1/3 its height. All

dead material must be removed. Plants that are within 100 feet of structures shall be trimmed up and spaced 18 feet apart.

2. Requirement 2 also refers to NATIVE VEGETATION. It must be cut down to 3 inches near roadways and combustible fences. You may not leave the cut material on the ground near roadways

3. Keep vegetation back from the outlet of the chimney.

4. Clean all plant litter from roofs regularly. These fine fuels are easily ignited by flying embers.

5. “Trim up” so the foliage (leaves and twigs) is not near the ground. This separation prevents fire on the ground from igniting the plant.

6. This separation reduces the likelihood of fire spreading and greatly assists firefighters in protecting your home.

7. Dead trees provide unnecessary fuels that could help intensify a fire.

8. This requirement does apply to cultivated landscape vegetation. Remove all dead vegetation and reduce live vegetation. You can further reduce the amount of vegetation that could fuel a fire by selecting individual plants to keep and removing less desirable plants.

9. Reduce excessive vegetation in close proximity to structures. Consider removing acacia, pine, juniper, eucalyptus, cypress, and pampas grass to reduce the fuel load in proximity to structures. Break up plantings to reduce the likelihood that fire will travel from brush areas to structures.

10. This box may be checked because you need to remove existing material on your property, or because compliance with other requirements above will generate material that will need to be removed. “Machine processed” or “chipped” material may be kept on the property if it is spread to a maximum depth of 3 inches within 100 feet of structures and 6 inches elsewhere, except none of this material is allowed within 10 feet of any roadway.

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Overgrown Brush or Shrubs

Tall Grass& Weeds

BEFORE AFTER

Shrubs and brush with woody stems need to be

trimmed up 1/3 from the ground.

Tree 18’ or greater to havea minimum 6 foot clearance

off the ground.

HORIZONTAL CLEARANCETree crown to bo 10 feet from other trees and 5 feet from structures (non flammable)

Grass 3” in height

HEIGHT EXPLANATION

What to Remove What You Can Keep

1. Remove dead limbs, branches and other combustible material from portions of trees adjacent to or overhanging any building or structure.

2. Prune branches to remove all vegetation within 10 feet of any chimney outlet.

3. Prune branches to remove all foliage directly above roof surfaces to provide a five-foot vertical separation between the roof and the foliage.

1. Tree and shrub branches and foliage.

2. Cultivated landscape vegetation.

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Prohibited / High Flammability Vegetation:

Certain plants are considered to be undesirable and invasive due to their characteristics. These characteristics can be either physical or chemical. Physical properties that would contribute to high flammability include large amounts of dead material retained within the plant, rough or peeling bark, and the production of copious amount of debris. Chemical properties include the presence of volatile substances such as oils, resins, wax and pitch. The following vegetation shall not be planted in new or modified landscaping located in the VHFHSZ:

• TREES: Pine, Eucalyptus, Acacia, Cypress, Cedar, Palm & Fir

Other Alternative / Fire-Resistant Vegetation and Wildlife Value:

The vegetation listed below are recommendations. Fire-resistant does not mean fire proof! Even fire-resistant plants will burn if not well maintained. Be sure to keep all of your landscape plants healthy with appropriate watering, proper pruning, etc.

• TREES: Black oak, Hawthorn, Maple, River Birch, Crabapple, Poplar, Desert Willow, Ghost Gum, Golden Rain, Tipu, Sawleaf Zelkova

• SHRUBS: Bladderpod, Golden Currant, Lemonade Berry, Honeysuckle, Lilac, Roses, Yucca

• GROUNDCOVERS: Four-wing Saltbush, Beach Carpet Saltbush, Yarrow, Poppy

• PERENNIALS: Russian Sage, Heather, Stonecrop, Daylily, Coralbells

*Native and/or drought tolerant plants are encouraged.

Proper tree pruning can improve the health and appearance of trees while reducing fire hazards. Without proper training and equipment, tree pruning can be dangerous. We recommend that you consider a certified arborist for tree pruning.• SHRUBS: Juniper, California Sage

Brush, Coyote Brush, Brooms, Hopseed Bush, Chamise

• GROUNDCOVERS: Algerian Ivy

• PERENNIALS: Bamboo, Pampas grass, Deer Grass, Fountain Grass, Black Sage

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EXCEPTION: Existing trees, shrubs or grass shall be maintained in accordance to VHFHSZ maintenance requirements BHMC 4906.3.1

Replanting existing vegetation that becomes dead or diseased shall be replaced with an alternate tree, shrub, or grass that is not prohibited.

4. Requirements 1, 2 and 3 from above apply in this height range.

5. Remove all dead vegetation.

6. Prune branches to remove all foliage lower than 6 feet from all trees, brush and shrubs taller than 18 feet in height.

7. Prune branches to remove all foliage from the lowest 1/3 of all trees, brush and shrubs less than 18 feet in height.

8. Remove all dead vegetation.9. Cut grass and weeds to a

maximum height of 3 inches.10. Remove Pine needles, leaves,

weeds, debris from groundcover. Trees stumps, roots are ok to prevent erosion issues.

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3. Tree and shrub foliage.

4. Cultivated landscape vegetation.

5. Trunks of trees over 18 feet in height (no foliage in bottom 6 feet).

6. Foliage of shrubs and trees less than 18 feet tall.

7. Cultivated landscape vegetation.

8. Groundcover, grass and weeds (dead or alive) with no more than 3 inches in height is ok to prevent erosion issues.

DeadFoliage

UNTRIMMED TREE

Low Foliage

Tree less than 18’ shallhave 1/3 foliage trimmed

off the ground.

MAINTAINED / THINNED TREE