Weed Abatement Information

The City of Oroville’s Code Enforcement Department is responsible for enforcing health and safety codes, especially during the high fire season, which typically runs from April through October. To safeguard the health and safety of residents, the department inspects properties within city limits to ensure they are well-maintained and meet fire safety regulations. All property owners within Oroville city limits are required to remove or eliminate grass, weeds, plants, rubbish, or debris by June 15th each year.

There are a variety of methods for ensuring your home is fire safe during the warm summer months. City Ordinance requires all residents to maintain grass and weeds at a height of 4" or less throughout the active fire season. 

Mowing or Weed Eating

Mowing and/or weed eating is the most common method for maintaining vegetation. (Note: This must be completed between the hours of 8:00 Am and 1:00 PM) This is done to avoid sparks from the mower or weed eater starting a fire. 

Disking, Rototilling or Dozing

For large plots of land, the owner needs to disk, till, or doze a 30-foot wide perimeter around the entire lot, to bare ground, which is sufficient to contain a vegetation fire. 

Spraying 

Spraying is the least effective method because it does not remove the vegetation it just kills it. The vegetation that remains is still fuel for a fire and promotes fire growth and spread. if you elect to spray, make sure you spray it on the vegetation while it is still green and growing otherwise the spray will have no effect. We recommend that you cut the vegetation and then spray the remaining duff so it will not grow back.

Livestock- Go Green Oroville

Vegetation management using livestock is a highly effective means of removing and controlling vegetation. The vegetation is completely removed, and the ground is fertilized at the same time. Livestock such as goats, cattle, or other grass eating animals is a natural and safe method for reducing fire fuels. If you intent to use this method, you must contact the Oroville Code Enforcement Department at (530) 538-2498 and request a Pastureland Affidavit each year. The form can also be found here: Pasture Land Affidavit

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