§ 13A-3. Definitions.

The following definitions apply to this chapter:

"Abate" and/or "abatement" means an act used to remove, destroy, eliminate, seize, impound, or any action taken to mitigate a public nuisance.

"Abatement costs" means any and all costs incurred by the county of Sonoma to abate the hazardous weeds or combustible material on any property pursuant to this chapter, including physical abatement costs, administration fees and any additional actual costs incurred by the Sonoma County Fire and Emergency Services Department for the abatement proceeding, including attorney's fees, if applicable.

"Combustible material" means rubbish, litter or material of any kind other than hazardous vegetation that is flammable and endangers the public safety by creating a fire hazard.

"County fire chief" means the fire chief of the county of Sonoma or his/her designated representative, including:

(1)

Chiefs of all fire protection districts within the territory of the political subdivision with the county where he/she serves, and their deputies;

(2)

All employees of the Sonoma County Fire and Emergency Services Department; and

(3)

Such other officers as are designated by the board of supervisors or the county fire chief.

"Hazardous vegetation" means vegetation that is flammable and endangers the public safety by creating a fire hazard including but not limited to seasonal and recurrent weeds, stubble, brush, dry leaves, etc.

"Improved parcel" means a portion of land of any size, the area of which is determined by the assessor's maps and records and may be identified by an assessor's parcel number upon which a structure is located.

"Person" means natural person or corporation.

"Structure" means any dwelling, house, building or other type of flammable construction including but not limited to a wood fence attached to or near any other structure.

"Unimproved parcel" means a portion of land of any size, the area of which is determined by the assessor's maps and records and may be identified by an assessor's parcel number upon which no structure is located.

( Ord. No. 6148, § I , 4-19-2016)