BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS --- GENETHIA HUDLEY-HAYES PRESIDENT SHARON DELUGACH VICE PRESIDENT CORINNE TAPIA-BABCOCK JIMMY H. HARA, M.D. JIMMIE WOODS-GRAY --- NEVERLY ANN HILL EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT II | CITY OF LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA  KAREN BASS MAYOR | FIRE DEPARTMENT --- RONNIE R. VILLANUEVA INTERIM FIRE CHIEF 200 NORTH MAIN STREET ROOM 1800 LOS ANGELES, CA 90012 (213) 978-3800 FAX: (213) 978-3815 http://www.lafd.org --- |
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OWNER NOTIFICATION
THIS NOTICE IS INFORMATION ONLY - THIS IS NOT A BILL
March 31, 2025
Dear Property Owner,
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) provides a thorough and comprehensive brush program to protect lives and property for those who live in the hillside communities within the City of Los Angeles. Section 57.4906.5.2. of the Los Angeles Municipal Code (L.A.M.C) and Ordinance No. 172449 adopted by the Los Angeles City Council and approved by the Mayor, provides the Fire Department the authority to perform brush clearance inspections and subsequent billing for identified assessor parcel numbers.
All brush inspections are conducted by fire department Inspectors to identify compliance. A *$31 Inspection fee has been instituted for non-compliant brush inspections. Property owners that are not in compliance with the Brush Clearance Ordinance shall be issued a Notice of Non-Compliance. Inspection related bills will be mailed by LAFD Accounting and must be paid by the dates specified on the bill. Failure to submit payment on time will result in an assessment of a 200% penalty. For billing questions please contact the LAFD Accounting Department at lafd.brushacctg@lacity.org.
To avoid a notice of non-compliance, brush clearance shall be conducted and completed within the requirements defined in L.A.M.C Section 57.4906.5. If the property fails the compliance inspection, property owners will receive a second inspection for compliance. If found non-compliant a second notice of non-compliance will be issued. All Fire Code conditions subject to enforcement can be found @ lafd.org/fire-prevention/brush/brush-clearance-requirements
Brush clearance is a year-round responsibility. The Office of the State Fire Marshall has changed the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone to the Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) under Public Resource Code 4201-4204 to remap and include fire hazards based on fuel loading, slope and fire weather identified as causes for wildfire spread. These wildland zones are classified as Moderate, High and Very High. For general questions or concerns, please contact the Brush Clearance Unit via phone at (800) 994-4444 or email us at lafdbrush@lacity.org or visit our websites at www.lafd.org/brush and www.vms3.lafd.org.
Very truly yours, 
David A. Perez
Fire Marshal
TAKE THE FOLLOWING STEPS TO PREPARE YOUR PARCEL(S) FOR INSPECTION
Step 1. Conduct a thorough and comprehensive inspection of your property.
Step 2. Remove any hazardous vegetation/refuse from the property as defined by the LAMC
It is not necessary to notify the Fire Department after completing Steps 1 and 2. The Fire Department will automatically conduct the initial inspections of your parcel(s) May 1, 2025 through June 30, 2025.
It is not necessary to notify the Fire Department after completing Steps 1 and 2. The Fire Department will automatically conduct the initial inspection of your parcel(s) beginning May 1, 2024 through June 30, 2024.
THE INSPECTION CYCLE AND FEE SCHEDULE FOR NONCOMPLIANCE IS AS FOLLOWS
IF THE PROPERTY PASSES THE INITIAL INSPECTION THE INSPECTION FEE IS WAIVED
IF THE PROPERTY FAILS THE INITIAL INSPECTION A *$31 NON COMPLIANCE FEE IS ASSESSED
ALL PARCELS RECEIVING A FAILED INITIAL INSPECTION WILL RECEIVE A 2nd INSPECTION
- SECOND INSPECTION (PASS) = INITIAL INSPECTION FEE OF WITH NO 2nd INSPECTION FEE
- SECOND INSPECTION (FAIL) = INITIAL INSPECTION FEE PLUS SECOND INSPECTION FEE OF $764*
PARCELS FAILING FIRST INSPECTION AND REMAINING IN NONCOMPLIANCE AFTER SECOND INSPECTION SHALL BE CLEARED BY CITY CONTRACTORS AND BILLED TO THE PROPERTY OWNER.
*$31 FIRST NONCOMPLIANCE INSPECTION FEE + *$764 SECOND INSPECTION FEE +
*$1526 ADMINISTRATIVE FEE + CONTRACTOR’S LOWEST BID PRICE
*FEES ARE DETERMINED BY THE CITYS ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE, BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS, FIRE CHIEF, CITY COUNCIL AND MAYOR AND REFLECT THE 2023-2024 COST OF SPECIAL SERVICES AND WILL BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE TO REFLECT THE 2025 COST OF SPECIAL SERVICES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
The Los Angeles City Fire Department is the final authority in determining compliance.
To View Secured Information regarding your annual brush inspection, log onto vms3.lafd.org, register a Brush Clearance account and follow the brush status of your property.
Simply use the APN and PIN that is printed next to the name and address on this form.
With a registered account:
1. The status of your property (Compliance or Non-compliance) can be determined.
2. If Non-compliant, the photos of brush hazards on your property are viewable.
3. You will receive a Non-compliant emailed notification at the time of the failed inspection.
If you have registered your property(s) with VMS3 the previous year, there is NO need to reregister.
Maintaining your property is a year-round responsibility, with first inspection enforcement violations issued May 1, 2025. To ensure continuous compliance it may be necessary to conduct a thorough inspection with repeated maintenance, and clearing of your property; MORE THAN ONCE A YEAR. All property located in the Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) or identified as a Public Nuisance shall be maintained as described and in accordance with
L.A.M.C Sections 57.4906.5.1.1.6 through 57.4906.5.1.1.8, L.A.M.C. 57.4906.5.1.1.10.,
LAMC 57.4906.5.2.1. and LAMC 46.00-46.06 pertaining to NATIVE PROTECTED TREES AND SHRUBS
All vegetation management compliance can be identified by visiting the
clearance requirements on vms3.lafd.org
Download 2025 Owner Notification Mailer
