Weed abatement deadline April 30

The fire season weed abatement deadline for the city of Porterville is Tuesday, April 30. Porterville Fire Chief Bryan Cogburn advises all vegetation on vacant lots, hillsides, rivers and waterways on residential and commercial properties within the city of Porterville must be removed by April 30.

The Porterville Fire Department reminds residents the city’s weed abatement standards property owners are legally responsible to meet the April 30 deadline, which includes being responsible for the cost of removing the weeds. Property owners are also responsible for the costs of fire that are caused by their failure to remove vegetation.

Vegetation can be removed through discing, mowing or through a string trimmer. All vegetation must be disced under the dirt or raked and removed from the property.

All properties accesible to a tractor must be disced. The property must also be maintained throughout the year. Property owners must also remove accumulated waste and tires from the property.

“Chief Cogburn is asking everyone to please be a good neighbor and protect yourself and others from the danger of fire that can result from vegetation on and around property,” the fire department stated. “Property owners are responsible for the removal of weeds, other vegetation, dead or dying trees, solid waste of any description and waste tires on their property in accordance with City of Porterville Municipal Code, Chapter 12, Article III.

“The fire department advises that it is in the property owner’s best interest to abate the weeds or other nuisance conditions themselves. Failure to do so may result in the issuance of Administration Citations which can be up to $1,000 and may be issued per day.”

If the city abates any conditions on the property, additional costs are added to the contractor’s fee to cover the expenses involved in administering the city’s abatement program. The actual cost for the abatement and all additional fees are charged to the property owners. Property owners who need assistance in finding a contractor to do weed abatement can call the Porterville Fire Department, 559-782-7526 and a list will be made available to them.

“It is important to keep the City of Porterville as fire-safe as possible,” the city stated. “Grass fires spread rapidly and can threaten structures and endanger lives. Please do your part and abate all vegetation.”

Weeds need to be cleared right up to the fence sines, sidewalk, streets and property lines, including the edge of banks for properties that border a waterway.