Implementing Wildfire Taskforce Recommendation Regarding Enforcing Weed Abatement Ordinance

ADOPT the recommendations of the Wildfire Preparedness Ad Hoc Committee and DIRECT the City Attorney's Office, in collaboration with the City Administration, to implement the following actions and return to the City Council within 90 days with any necessary ordinances, resolutions, contracts, budget appropriations, and additional implementation plans:

Defensible Space Appeal Process

Direct the City Attorney's Office to evaluate the current appeal process for enforcement of defensible space violations under the Richmond Municipal Code, including whether appeal timelines can be shortened for parcels located within the Local Responsibility Area (LRA) and the City's designated wildfire hazard zones, and return to the City Council with recommendations for any necessary amendments to the Richmond Municipal Code.

Vegetation Management Contract

Direct staff to establish an on-call vegetation management services contract for parcels within wildfire hazard zones where property owners fail to comply with defensible space requirements following all applicable enforcement procedures, and determine the appropriate department to administer and oversee the contract.

Resident Assistance Program

Direct staff to develop a one-year pilot Resident Assistance Program to assist eligible homeowners with weed abatement ordinance and defensible space improvements within 0–30 feet of structures, with priority given to hazards located within Zone 0, and return to the City Council with program guidelines, eligibility criteria, funding options, and implementation recommendations.

Implementation Report

Direct staff to return to the City Council within 60 days with an implementation plan, including proposed ordinances or policy amendments, estimated costs, potential funding sources, staffing requirements, and a proposed implementation schedule for each recommendation – Councilmember Soheila Bana (510-620-6743)/Councilmember Cesar Zepeda (510-620-6593).

This item was continued from the July 7, 2026, meeting.

Financial Impact

To be determined

Previous Council Action

December 3, 2013 Ordinance No. 24-13 N.S.

Statement Of The Issue

On January 21, 2025, the City Council established the Wildfire Preparedness Ad Hoc Committee to evaluate the City's wildfire preparedness efforts and develop recommendations to improve wildfire mitigation, defensible space enforcement, vegetation management, and resident assistance programs.

Given the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfire events throughout the state and within Contra Costa County, Richmond must have a comprehensive, legally sound ordinance that allows for fast and effective response during fire season.

Recommended Action

ADOPT the recommendations of the Wildfire Preparedness Ad Hoc Committee and DIRECT the City Attorney's Office, in collaboration with the City Administration, to implement the following actions and return to the City Council within 90 days with any necessary ordinances, resolutions, contracts, budget appropriations, and additional implementation plans:

• 1. Defensible Space Appeal Process

Direct the City Attorney's Office to evaluate the current appeal process for enforcement of defensible space violations under the Richmond Municipal Code, including whether appeal timelines can be shortened for parcels located within the Local Responsibility Area (LRA) and the City's designated wildfire hazard zones, and return to the City Council with recommendations for any necessary amendments to the Richmond Municipal Code.

• 2. Vegetation Management Contract Direct staff to establish an on-call vegetation management services contract for parcels within wildfire hazard zones where property owners fail to comply with defensible space requirements following all applicable enforcement procedures, and determine the appropriate department to administer and oversee the contract.
• 3. Resident Assistance Program Direct staff to develop a one-year pilot Resident Assistance Program to assist eligible homeowners with weed abatement ordinance and defensible space improvements within 0–30 feet of structures, with priority given to hazards located within Zone 0, and return to the City Council with program guidelines, eligibility criteria, funding options, and implementation recommendations.
• 4. Implementation Report Direct staff to return to the City Council within 60 days with an implementation plan, including proposed ordinances or policy amendments, estimated costs, potential funding sources, staffing requirements, and a proposed implementation schedule for each recommendation – Councilmember Soheila Bana (510-620-6743)/Councilmember Cesar Zepeda (510- 620-6593). This item was continued from the July 7, 2026, meeting.

Discussion

On January 21, 2025, the City Council established the Wildfire Preparedness Ad Hoc Committee (Committee) to evaluate the City's wildfire preparedness efforts and develop recommendations to improve wildfire mitigation, defensible space enforcement, vegetation management, and resident assistance programs.

Following six meetings, the Committee presented four recommendations to the City Council on May 19, 2026, addressing:

• 1. Evaluation of the Richmond Municipal Code appeal process for defensible space enforcement.
• 2. Establishment of an on-call vegetation management contract for properties requiring administrative abatement.
• 3. Creation of a Resident Assistance Program to assist eligible homeowners with home hardening and defensible space improvements.
• 4. Funding and maintenance of an annual managed grazing program within the City's wildfire hazard zones.

The May 19, 2026, agenda report specifically requested that the City Council provide direction regarding these recommendations. However, because the item was placed on the Consent Calendar, the City Council did not discuss the recommendations or provide formal directions to City staff regarding implementation.

This agenda item provides the City Council with the opportunity to consider the recommendations and provide the policy direction originally contemplated by the May 19, 2026, agenda report.

Timely implementation of these recommendations will improve public safety, reduce wildfire risk, strengthen enforcement of defensible space requirements, and assist residents in complying with evolving wildfire safety standards.

By adopting the recommendations of the Wildfire Preparedness Ad Hoc Committee, the City Attorney's Office, in collaboration with the City Administration, can start working towards implementation of the following actions and return to the City Council within 90 days with any necessary ordinances, resolutions, contracts, budget appropriations, and additional implementation plans:

• 1. Defensible Space Appeal Process Direct the City Attorney's Office to evaluate the current appeal process for enforcement of defensible space violations under the Richmond Municipal Code, including whether appeal timelines can be shortened for parcels located within the Local Responsibility Area (LRA) and the City's designated wildfire hazard zones, and return to the City Council with recommendations for any necessary amendments to the Richmond Municipal Code.
• 2. Vegetation Management Contract Direct City staff to establish an on-call vegetation management services contract for parcels within wildfire hazard zones where property owners fail to comply with defensible space requirements following all applicable enforcement procedures, and determine the appropriate department to administer and oversee the contract.
• 3. Resident Assistance Program Direct City staff to develop a one-year pilot Resident Assistance Program to assist eligible homeowners with weed abatement ordinance and defensible space improvements within 0–30 feet of structures, with priority given to hazards located within

Zone 0, and return to the City Council with program guidelines, eligibility criteria, funding options, and implementation recommendations.

• 4. Implementation Report Direct City staff to return to the City Council within 60 days with an implementation plan, including proposed ordinances or policy amendments, estimated costs, potential funding sources, staffing requirements, and a proposed implementation schedule for each recommendation.

DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:

None.