The inspections are being done ahead of fire season because of the lack of rain, which has created "dry and hazardous circumstances."
By May 31, all yards must comply with the rules.
The following are some of the guidelines that the department will be looking for:
Mow, disc, or scrape empty lots to a height of 3 inches or less.
Before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m., use pruning, mowing, and power equipment. They should not be used in the heat of the day or on days that are exceptionally dry and windy.
A spark arrestor is required on any gas-powered machinery.
Dead leaves, weeds, and brush should all be removed. Trees should be maintained and fallen trees and limbs should be removed six feet from the ground. Roofs, eaves, and rain gutters should be free of needles and leaves.
Clear the premises of any rubbish, wood, or other combustibles.
Irrigated, well-kept landscaping is permitted.
All hazardous weeds must be cut or eliminated within the property borders of small parcels with less than 75 feet of road frontage or less than 10,000 square feet of land.
Clearing the entire lot is not required for large parcels with more than 75 feet of road frontage or more than 10,000 square feet. They must clear a 100-foot-wide firebreak along the perimeter of the property, including any property that fronts a road.
