Carlsbad council adopts resolution declaring weeds, rubbish and refuse on private property public nuisances under hazard reduction program

The Carlsbad City Council unanimously adopted a resolution declaring weeds, rubbish and refuse on private property as public nuisances under the city's hazard reduction program and directed staff to schedule a public hearing on the topic for April 15, 2025.

Fire Chief Michael Calderwood and Fire Marshal Darcy Davidson presented the department’s request and said staff had identified 187 vacant parcels for inclusion in this year’s hazard reduction program. Davidson told the council that the program covers vacant lots only and is distinct from a broader community wildfire mitigation plan the department is developing; the mitigation plan will assess communitywide wildfire risk, prioritize actions such as strategic fuel breaks and vegetation trimming, and be coordinated with habitat management and state and federal regulations.

Davidson said the state’s updated fire hazard severity zone maps that include Carlsbad would be released by Cal Fire on Monday, March 24, and that the city would post the maps, accept public comment, and return with an ordinance within 120 days to formally adopt the maps. Staff emphasized that the governor’s March 2 proclamation of a state of emergency supports prevention efforts but does not override local regulatory requirements.

Councilmembers thanked the fire department for accelerating the program and for outreach. Councilmember Shin described triage principles for wildfire response and thanked staff for proactively creating defensible spaces. Councilmember Acosta asked residents, including students attending the meeting, to pay attention to fuel reduction around private properties.

The resolution passed unanimously; staff said the fire department will continue working on a comprehensive wildfire mitigation plan and return with ordinance actions on the hazard maps in the coming months.