SoCal Homes Could Face New Wildfire-Safety Requirements

LOS ANGELES, CA — Wildfire-safety rules approved by a state board Wednesday would require homeowners in fire-prone areas of Southern California and across the state to reduce combustible materials within five feet of their homes.

The California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection approved the final draft of its first-in-the-nation "Zone 0" defensible-space regulations, which are intended to reduce the risk that wind-driven embers will ignite homes during wildfires.

The regulations apply to homes in areas where the state or local governments have identified a high risk of wildfire, including State Responsibility Areas and locally managed areas designated as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.

Zone 0 covers the first five feet surrounding a structure, an area state fire officials say is particularly vulnerable to ignition from embers. The regulations divide that area into a non-combustible safety zone immediately adjacent to a structure and a low-combustibility area extending through the remainder of the 5-foot zone.

"The area defined in this regulation is the most critical zone for protecting a home, and neighborhoods, during a wildfire," Board Chair Terry O'Brien said in a statement. "We've taken a thoughtful, science-based approach to develop standards that will meaningfully reduce risk while still being practical for homeowners."

The regulations generally prohibit combustible materials such as bark mulch, wood chips, firewood, dead leaves and dead or dying vegetation within Zone 0. Roofs and gutters must also be kept clear of combustible debris.

But the regulations do not require homeowners to remove all landscaping within 5 feet of their homes.

Well-maintained herbaceous plants and flowers will be allowed outside required vegetation-free buffers, including smaller non-woody plants such as bulbs, poppies, petunias and succulents. Certain ground covers, grass and lawns will also be permitted if properly maintained, along with potted plants in movable, non-combustible containers, according to officials.

A vegetation-free safety zone will be required within at least one foot of a structure or to the edge of its eaves, whichever is greater. Vegetation also will be prohibited within two feet of windows, doors and vents and within five feet of attached decks or similar features.

Trees will be allowed within Zone 0 but must be maintained according to the regulations. Branches must be kept 10 feet from chimneys, five feet above roofs and out from under eaves. Dead wood and lower branches that could allow flames to climb a tree must also be removed.

For larger trees, limbs must be removed from the bottom six feet, while smaller trees must have limbs removed from their lower third.

The regulations will also eventually require a 5-foot non-combustible section where a fence attaches to a home. New combustible fences and gates will not be allowed within Zone 0, although existing fences can be repaired. Sheds and other outbuildings within the zone will be required to have non-combustible exterior roofs and walls.

Implementation will be phased in over five years, with the board saying education and outreach rather than penalties will be the initial focus.

During the first three years, owners of existing homes will be expected to remove combustible items within five feet of structures, clean gutters, remove dead and dying vegetation, trim trees and make adjustments to landscaping.

During the second phase, local jurisdictions will establish deadlines within five years of the regulations' effective date for creating under-eave safety zones, replacing combustible gates and making required changes to sheds and fencing.

Newly constructed homes will have to comply when the regulations take effect.

The rules also give local governments flexibility to develop alternative requirements if they provide equivalent fire-safety protection. Communities may also adopt more stringent standards based on local wildfire risks, with alternatives developed in coordination with local fire agencies and approved by the appropriate city council or county board.

"This isn't a one-size-fits-all approach," O'Brien said. "We've built in flexibility so that local experts can tailor solutions unique to their individual communities while maintaining meaningful fire safety standards."

The regulations were developed following more than 15 months of public outreach that included research, review of public comments and nearly 20 workshops, site visits and walking tours involving homeowners, fire officials, environmental organizations and local governments.

California State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant said research has shown homes and other buildings are particularly vulnerable to embers accumulating in the first 5 feet surrounding them.

"Establishing the Zone Zero 5-foot safety zone is an essential step in strengthening California's wildfire preparedness," Berlant said in a statement.

Eric Horne, California director of the wildfire policy group Megafire Action, also praised the new rule.

"California is taking a big step toward making more homes resilient when catastrophic wildfire strikes," Horne said. "Today's rule is grounded in science, practical for homeowners, and strengthened by the voices of Californians who helped shape it."

The regulations stem from a series of state laws beginning with Assembly Bill 3074 in 2020, along with subsequent legislation and a 2025 executive order from Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The regulatory package must still be submitted to the state Office of Administrative Law for review before it is officially approved and published by the Secretary of State. A five-day public-comment period will be provided during that review.

State officials said they will continue exploring grants, tax incentives, bond funding, local financing and other programs intended to help homeowners and communities pay for changes required under the regulations.

City News Service