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District to formalize wildland-urban-interface bonding, tightening notices and forfeiture process
Summary
Staff proposed formal Wildland-Urban-Interface enforcement policy to clarify the district's $5,000 partial-bond practice, add homeowner notice, pre-bond inspections, a 24-month compliance window and an 18—6/24-month forfeiture notification schedule; the policy is under legal review and will return to the board.
District staff described a proposed Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) enforcement policy intended to formalize and clarify the district's existing partial-bond practice for landscaping and defensible-space compliance.
Speaker 6 explained that the present practice has involved $5,000 partial bonds for projects completed in winter months when landscaping cannot be installed, but the district has observed abuses and "gray areas" where bonds were transferred between owners without clear notification or follow-through. To address that, staff proposed written notices attached to property records, a pre-bond inspection to confirm existing vegetation proximity meets defensible-space requirements, automated notifications every 90—100 days to remind owners, and a 24-month compliance window after which the bond could be forfeited and the funds moved to the district's prevention budget to support chipping crews and wildfire-prevention work.
Speaker 6 said legal counsel (Rob) is reviewing the policy and bond-amount guidance (the $5,000 figure dates to 2017). Staff discussed possible alternatives including setting the bond as a percentage of landscaping contract value and coordinating with HOAs and CC&Rs where local covenants already restrict planting.
Board members asked for clarity on enforcement scope. Speaker 6 said the district's enforcement authority focuses on access, water flow and defensible space (for example, limiting trees within 10 feet of structures) but does not cover materials standards. Staff noted case-by-case exceptions for high-elevation subdivisions where planting seasons differ.
No formal action was taken at this meeting; staff will return with a formal draft for legal review and a subsequent board discussion.
Quote (paraphrased from the meeting): "We've seen people abuse it and work in the gray areas to use it," Speaker 6 said, describing the motivation for a formalized policy.
