Of the 27,673 total acres of open space managed by the Parks and Recreation Department's Open Space Division, approximately 916 acres are located within 100 feet of structures. Among other duties related to open space land management, the Open Space Division is responsible for conducting brush management (vegetation thinning) on City-owned open space adjacent to privately-owned lots, which are developed with "previously conforming" (legal) structures built before the establishment of the city's first brush management regulations in 1989.

The Open Space Division conducts brush management in accordance with Section 142.0412 of the San Diego Municipal Code and the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department's Canyon Fire Safety guidelines and policies related to brush management.

To learn more, please reference the following material:

Section 142.0412 of the San Diego Municipal Code

San Diego Fire-Rescue Department's Canyon Fire Safety guidelines

United States Fish and Wildlife Service Letter to FEMA

Environmental Impact Report Project No. 31245

Addendum to a Subsequent Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment Project No. 31245

Due to limited public access between City streets and brush management locations, crews often need to haul deadwood and cut brush more than 300 feet across steep slopes to haul it away. By offering crews access through your property, you can make the brush management program more efficient. If you would like to offer this access, please complete the City of San Diego/Homeowner Brush Management Access Agreement.

City of San Diego/Homeowner Brush Management Access Agreement

Please send a completed agreement to:
City of San Diego - Brush Management Schedule Coordinator
202 C St., MS 5D
San Diego, CA 92101

You or your contractor may also thin brush on City property behind your property by obtaining a Right of Entry permit. To obtain a permit, please fill out and submit the Right of Entry Request. A blank Right of Entry Permit will be sent to you for signature and is not valid until also executed by the City. Keep in mind that if you are using a contractor to perform brush management on City property, the contractor will need to be insured with a minimum $1 million liability policy, and the City of San Diego will need to be named on the policy as the additional insured.

The Open Space Division schedules brush management based on a prioritization of all City lands, from highest to lowest, by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. Currently, all the Open Space Division-managed property inside and outside the VHFHSZ has been prioritized as listed below (Priority Areas 1-11).

Area Maps and Schedule

Brush Management Information

City Guide to Brush Management

San Diego Fire – Rescue Wildfire Preparedness

Wildland Management and Enforcement