Defensible Space

While not legally required yet, Zone 0 is key for wildfire defense and preventing fires from spreading to your home. Here are the current guidelines:

• Use gravel, pavers, or concrete instead of combustible mulch

• Clear dead weeds, grass, and debris; check roofs, gutters, and outdoor areas

• Keep branches trimmed 10 feet away from chimneys and stovepipes

• Minimize combustible items like furniture and planters on decks

• Move firewood and lumber to Zone 2 for safety

• Replace combustible fencing and gates with fire-resistant materials

  • This could include wood and vinyl fencing material; including when combustible materials are used only as attachments between the house and non-combustible material such as metal.  i.e. homeowner did not receive Wildfire Home Prepared Certification despite having a metal gate because the gate was attached via a wooden 2x4.

• Shift garbage and recycling containers to a safer area outside this zone

• Relocate boats, RVs, and vehicles away from this zone to reduce fire risks

Zone 1 extends 30 feet from buildings, structures, decks, etc. or to your property line, whichever is closer.

• Clear all dead plants, grass, and weeds

• Remove dead leaves and pine needles from your yard, roof, and gutters

• Trim overhanging branches and keep them 10 feet from your chimney

• Regularly trim trees to maintain a 10-foot gap from others

• Move wood piles to Zone 2

• Prune flammable plants and shrubs near windows

• Clear flammable vegetation and items from under decks, balconies, and stairs

• Maintain space between trees, shrubs, and flammable items like patio furniture and wood piles

• Ensure outbuildings and LPG tanks have 10 feet of clear space to bare soil and no flammable vegetation within an additional 10 feet around them

Zone 2 extends from 30 feet to 100 feet out from buildings, structures, decks, etc. or to your property line, whichever is closer.

• Trim annual grass to a maximum height of 4 inches

• Space out shrubs and trees horizontally (See Horizontal Spacing Section)

• Ensure vertical spacing between grass, shrubs, and trees (See Vertical Spacing Section)

• Remove fallen leaves, needles, and small branches, but can leave up to 3 inches

• Keep exposed wood piles at least 10 feet clear from surroundings, down to the soil

• Ensure outbuildings and LPG tanks have 10 feet of clear space to bare soil and no flammable vegetation within an additional 10 feet around them