Cupertino council orders annual weed abatement, exempts one homeowner after cleanup

The Cupertino City Council adopted Resolution No. 26-023 ordering abatement of weeds and other fire hazards under city code chapter 9.08 and authorized the Santa Clara County weed-abatement manager to proceed with enforcement where property owners fail to comply.

City staff explained the county-administered program requires owners to maintain parcels and that most parcels remain on the county list for three consecutive years of monitoring; properties that pass inspections for two subsequent years are removed from the list. Gary Giocelevsky, the county weed-abatement manager, described the program and noted the property at 10213 Minor Place had been added to the list in 2024 but passed the 2025 inspection.

A homeowner, Anne Chang, addressed the council and documented that she had retained a gardener and corrected the condition. At the council's request staff identified the parcel and parcel number (APN 31626065) and council amended the resolution to remove 10213 Minor Place from the annual reinspection list; the motion carried unanimously.

The council's action authorizes the county to continue annual inspections and abatement actions per the ordinance, while providing an avenue for property owners to request removal from the list if they demonstrate sustained compliance. Staff said the county will inspect parcels annually and that noncompliant owners receive a two-week notice to correct violations before further actions are taken.

The vote: The motion to adopt the resolution and include the exemption for 10213 Minor Place was approved by unanimous roll call.

Next steps: The county will continue inspections and staff will process the council's direction to remove the identified parcel from the reinspection schedule. Property owners remain responsible for maintaining defensible space, and failure to do so may result in abatement and related costs.