Vegetation Management Program
The Annual Vegetation Management Program reduces the fire risk by ensuring properties within the cities of Livermore and Pleasanton maintain safe vegetation clearances. This program protects lives, property, and natural resources while enhancing community resilience.
Overview & Purpose
The Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department (LPFD) implements the Annual Vegetation Management Program, which focuses on reducing hazardous vegetation that contributes to the rapid spread of wildfire. When efforts are made to remove dead/dying vegetation and trim healthy vegetation, everybody wins. These efforts significantly reduce the spread of wildfires, structure damage and loss, and increase firefighter effectiveness. Vegetation Management requirements are divided by land classification of undeveloped and developed parcels. Vegetation management practices vary depending on property location.
Properties located in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) are classified as Moderate, High, and Very High on California’s Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps. These properties are subject to more restrictive measures to improve the resiliency of structures.
Authority and Scope
LPFD operates under the authority of the California Health and Safety Code §13879 and local municipal codes adopted by the Cities of Livermore and Pleasanton. The 2025 California Wildfire-Urban Interface Code was adopted by ordinance by the City Councils in Livermore and Pleasanton.
Enforcement
LPFD has the enforcement authority to remove hazardous vegetation on undeveloped/unimproved land. These efforts are completed through the Vegetation Management Program. The goal is to remove hazardous vegetation no later than May 31 of each year. Once vegetation is cleared, property owners are required to maintain vegetation year-round, especially during “Fire Season” announced by CalFire.
Program Timeline
Each spring, the City Councils of Livermore and Pleasanton identify properties subject to the program. The list of properties is updated and published annually in March.
Inspection and Enforcement Timeline Table
Timeline | Action | Responsible Party |
Early Spring | Publish property lists; mail notices to property owners | LPFD / City Councils |
May | Send reminder notices | LPFD |
June 1-15 | Conduct initial inspections; Issue noncompliance notices | LPFD |
June 16-30 | Conduct follow-up inspections | LPFD |
July | City abates noncompliant properties; invoices issued | LPFD / Contractors |
Post-City Abatement
- Property owners are invoiced for the cost of abatement plus administrative fees.
- Public hearings are held for unpaid invoices.
- Liens are filed for outstanding balances.
Standards by Property Location
Improved and Developed Properties
Vegetation management and weed abatement enforcement is handled by each city’s code enforcement agency. To learn more, reach out to:
- City of Livermore’s Neighborhood Preservation Division
- City of Pleasanton’s Code Enforcement Unit
Property owners in High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones should take action to improve their homes’ Wildfire Resiliency by Becoming Firewise.