Council asks fire department to suspend new brush-clearance inspection fee and run public outreach

The Los Angeles City Council unanimously (12 ayes recorded) approved a motion directing the Fire Department to temporarily suspend billing for a newly implemented brush-clearance inspection fee and to conduct an immediate public information campaign.

City staff and the city attorney explained the notice had been mailed and included a $13 inspection fee per parcel, a 200% penalty for late payment that would be placed on the county tax bill, and a $204 fee for noncompliance. Councilmembers raised equity and legal-nexus concerns, noting many parcels in defined “fire district” areas appear to have very low actual risk and that the fee could be vulnerable to legal challenge unless better tailored to risk and the demonstrated nexus to services.

Council members asked the Fire Department to continue required inspections on schedule but to suspend collection actions while the department improves public notification and refines the boundaries and fee application where appropriate. The council recorded the findings required to act on this item as a special (finding that action arose after agenda posting) and asked for a prompt staff report explaining how inspections will proceed, how boundary and fee gradation issues will be resolved, and what outreach will be undertaken.

The council’s action was procedural and instructional: it did not permanently repeal the fee but ordered temporary suspension of collection and directed staff to return with clarifying recommendations and improved public outreach.