The Atherton Police Department would like to remind all residents that in order to maintain compliance with the Shelter in Place Order, all hired landscaping or yard services for cosmetic purposes are prohibited.
The only allowable form of landscaping is work performed by the homeowner or resident; work conducted for fire safety and fire clearance; or emergency work. In addition, maintaining growth along curbs and medians to ensure visibility along roadways and other publicly accessed areas is permissible. The County has also advised that the spraying of vegetation for infestations such as moths or disease, is an authorized activity that qualifies as "exterminators" under the exceptions provided in the Shelter-in-Place Order.
As with other activity, the Health Officer advises that social distancing, hand washing and face coverings be adhered to when performing the services.
The Town can make the requirements more restrictive, but cannot make them less restrictive. Section 15 of the County’s Order is specific and provides that violations are considered an "...imminent threat and menace to public health, constitute a public nuisance, and punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both." The Order also requires that the Town ensure compliance with the Order. The focus of the Police Department will be on the homeowner or resident, not the landscaping crew.
Please help keep all of us safe by adhering to the Health Orders.
