Since the Woolsey Fire in 2018, the City Council and staff have remained proactive in evaluating opportunities to enhance defensible space and strengthen community wildfire preparedness beyond minimum regulatory requirements.

Annual Goat Program

Each year, the City retains the services of goats for brush clearance along the open space perimeter bordering Mountain View Estates and Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve (formerly Ahmanson Ranch). This additional clearance effort is undertaken voluntarily and reflects the City’s continued commitment to fire prevention and resident safety.

Brush Clearance Responsibilities

Each property owner and entity is responsible for maintaining the land they own. For Hidden Hills residents, that means:

• Homeowners are responsible for their individual properties;
• The City and HOA maintain land under their ownership;
• The MRCA maintains its open space areas (Ahmanson Ranch); and
• Mountain View Estates maintains its adjacent open space property.

City staff works collaboratively with the MRCA, Mountain View Estates, and the Los Angeles County Fire Department to support access, coordination, and timely implementation of the program each season. Similar to previous seasons, the goats will be arriving in early July.

Annual Brush Clearance Inspections

Each year beginning May 1st, the Los Angeles County Fire Department conducts brush clearance inspections of approximately 3,000 properties in Hidden Hills and Calabasas. Property owners found out of compliance will receive a notice and have 30 days to correct violations, after which a second inspection is conducted. Inspections typically continue through late June.

Questions regarding current brush clearance timing, requirements, inspections, notices, or enforcement can be directed to the Los Angeles County Fire Department Defensible Space Unit, Community Risk Reduction Bureau, at (626) 969-2375.

Questions regarding potential policy changes, expansion of or changes to clearance requirements, or broader fire safety concerns are generally most appropriately directed to your Los Angeles County Supervisor’s office, as these issues often involve county policy, funding, and coordination between agencies. Please contact Supervisor Horvath’s office at (213) 974-3333.