Zone Zero Workgroup

In 2020, California passed AB-3074 that laid out a new Zone 0 defensible space that was to cover the first 5 feet around a structure for those properties that fall within a State Responsibility Area. The regulations would be promulgated by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection.

In 2023, SB-504 passed that introduced Zone 0 defensible space created in AB-3074 to those properties deemed Very-High Fire Risk wihtin a Local Responsibility Area.

On February 6, 2025, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-18-25 that charged the Board of Forestry to finalize Zone 0 regulations and make modifications to Zone 1 regulations as needed via hosting a series of workgroups, drafted regulations, and a 45 day period of public input.  They are to complete their work by end of the year. Their resulting regulations would be effective with existing homes 3 years after January 1, 2026. 

Core Zone 0 Restrictions

All four vegetation-option versions share a base rule:

“No landscaping materials that are likely to be ignited by embers” within 0–5 feet.

This includes grass, shrubs, weeds, leaves, pine needles, and combustible mulches such as bark or wood chips.

Other core restrictions include:

• No firewood storage in Zone 0 (unless inside a non-combustible outbuilding).

• No combustible items (e.g., decorations, outdoor furniture, storage bins).

• Roofs and gutters must be kept free of leaves and needles.

• Fences or gates attached to structures must have a 5-foot non-combustible section at the point of attachment.

• Outbuildings within Zone 0 must be entirely non-combustible.

• Combustible fencing is prohibited within 5 feet of structures after the regulation takes effect

🌿 Vegetation Options (Four Versions Under Consideration)

The Board has not yet selected one approach; the Committee is reviewing four alternatives:

Option 1

Strictest – No vegetation except limited potted plants

Pots ≤ 5 gal; plants ≤ 18″ tall; kept ≥ 12″ or 1.5× height from structure/each other; not under eaves or near windows/vents

Option 2

Same as Option 1 + allows low plants (< 4″)

Small ground cover if away from windows and vents

Option 3

Allows both potted and planted vegetation

Plants ≤ 18″; must be spaced appropriately; dead/dying material removed

Option 4

Most flexible – “well-maintained plants allowed”

Pots ≤ 5 gal; no dead vegetation or combustible mulch permitted

All options continue to ban flammable mulches (bark, wood chips, pine needles, etc.) and require meticulous maintenance.

🌳 Tree Management Options

Two approaches are proposed for trees within Zone 0:

Tree Option 1

Permits well-maintained trees; recognizes local protections

Branches ≥ 5 ft above roofs; ≥ 5 ft from walls; ≥ 10 ft from chimneys; exemptions for trees protected by local ordinance

Tree Option 2

Similar but no reference to local ordinances

Requires same clearances; exemption only for single well-pruned trees

🏠 Zone 0 Building and Structural Standards

• Combustible gates/fences: must be set back ≥ 5 ft or have a non-combustible connection.

• Outbuildings: allowed only if made entirely of non-combustible materials.

• Under-deck areas: must be kept free of vegetation and combustible items.

• New Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): If built within 5 ft of a neighbor’s property line, the neighbor is not considered out of compliance.

⚖️ Local Flexibility and Exemptions

• Alternative methods: Fire experts or local authorities may approve different approaches that achieve “substantially similar practical effects.”

• Historic structures: Eligible for exemptions if listed under state, federal, or local historic registers.

• Local fire agencies (LRAs): May craft their own compliance methods considering lot size, density, local vegetation, and building materials

After our review of the workgroups first two sessions we are highlighting some top concerns: 

• The Board of Forestry is largely crafting regulations for their purview: State Responsibility Areas (SRA's).  These are largely rural homes whose have completely different risk vectors and mitigation steps compared to suburban wildlife interfaces like Emerald Heights. However, whatever they craft for SRA's will be adopted for Local Responsibility Area's Very High Fire Risk Zones like Emerald Heights. 

• There is confusion amongst the workgroup of the timeline. Regulation indicates a timeline of 3 years but includes verbiage that could indicate that timeline could be extended if homeowner has an approved phased plan for making required changes.

• Common feedback from various experts in public discussion is that they believe that Board of Forestry (BOF) is not utilizing science based research. Specifically in regards to suburban medium and high density communities. The BOF seems open to reviewing the research and adjusting

• If adopted as is, the regulations would require significant changes for most homeowners in Emerald Heights including the removal of plant material, trees, and wooden fences.

• Concerns of enforcement and whether insurance to deny access to insurance or claims.

• Potential for increased insurance rates

• A representative from San Diego County indicated they may want to place even stricter regulations

• The timeline for changes are going to be short as the HOA will need to modify our rules and the CC&R's to allow for the changes. The HOA will need to process the related applications for requested changes. 

  • Additionally, with nearly 5 million residents falling in the impacted area completing these changes all at once will likely cause labor and material shortages.

• Potential that insurance will deny claims of homeowners who failed to move their potted plants for a loss during a red flag warning day

• Ambiguous nature of verbiage makes it unclear if lawn furniture or pergolas would be permitted; as such one can assume that insurance will prohibit it

• Takes priority from home hardening efforts

• Strategy is in isolation and ignores home hardening and community mititgation efforts

General:

Board of Forestry Zone 0 Workgroup
Map Changes for Fire Severity Zones 

September 22nd Meeting:

Zone Zero Regulation Advisory Committee Meeting (Part 1) 9-22-2025

Zone Zero Regulation Advisory Committee Meeting (Part 2) 9-22-2025

August Zone 0 Draft Rule Plead

September 2025 Notice Agenda

Fire Safety Zone Zero FAQ Sept 17 2025

Zone Zero Inspection Overview Sacramento Presentation

Zone Zero Guidance Interpretation Presentation

September 18th Meeting:

Zone Zero Regulation Advisory Committee Meeting - Southern CA (Part 1) 09-18-2025

Zone Zero Regulation Advisory Committee Meeting - Southern CA (Part 2) 09-18-2025

August Zone 0 Draft Rule Plead

UPDATED VENUE LOCATION September 18 Zone Zero FLYER

UPDATED VENUE LOCATION- September 18 Zone Zero Meeting Notice Agenda

Fire Safety Zone 0 FAQ

Ember Resistant Zone 0 Overview of Draft Rule Plead 81825

August Meeting:

Part 1 Zone Zero Regulation Advisory Committee Meeting 08-18-2025

Part 2 Zone Zero Regulation Advisory Committee Meeting 08-18-2025

August Zone 0 Draft Rule Plead

July Meeting:

Zone Zero Regulatory Advisory Committee Meeting (Part 1) 07-24-2025

Zone Zero Regulatory Advisory Committee Meeting (Part 2) 07-24-2025

Zone Zero Regulatory Advisory Committee Meeting (Part 3) 07-24-2025

July Run of Show

July Zone 0 Draft Rule Plead

ZZ 3 Summary of Changes 7-17-25 clean

Zone Zero Overview 7.24

Zone Zero Overview 7.23

Valachovic_Paradise_BOF_July 2025

June Meeting:

June Zone 0 Draft Rule Plead

Zone Zero Regulatory Advisory Committee Meeting (Part 1) 06-16-2025

Zone Zero Regulatory Advisory Committee Meeting (Part 2) 06-16-2025

Zone Zero Regulatory Advisory Committee Meeting (Part 3) 06-16-2025

ZZ June Staff Memo

REVISED Agenda

June Run of Show

May Meeting:

May Zone 0 Draft Rule Plead

Staff Overview of Proposed Rule Changes

Board of Forestry and Fire Protection Zone 0 Workshop (Part 1) 05-12-2025

Board of Forestry and Fire Protection Zone 0 Workshop (Part 2) 05-12-2025

SRA & LRA Maps and D. Space Findings/ Compliance - PRESENTATION

Science behind Zone Zero - PRESENTATION

Science re: Trees in Zone Zero - PRESENTATION

Ventura County’s Approach to Zone 0 - PRESENTATION

Landscape Architect Perspective and Zone Zero Example - PRESENTATION

Ember Resistant Zone Zero Overview of Draft Rule Plead - PRESENTATION

April Meeting:

Board of Forestry and Fire Protection Zone 0 Workshop (Part 1) 04-07-2025 

Board of Forestry and Fire Protection Zone 0 Workshop (Part 2) 04-07-2025 

• BOF Zone Zero Presentation April 7, 2025 - Valachovic

• Rebuild Paradise Foundation - Board of Forestry Presentation

• Zone Zero 4 Draft Rule Plead Presentation 4.7

March Meeting:

Board of Forestry and Fire Protection Zone 0 Workshop 03-04-2025 

• IBHS Presentation

• Zone Zero Regulation Advisory Committee Workshop Presentation

Want to get involved? Here's How:

• Notify of us of your concerns and we will include it in our outreach to the BOF. 

• Complete the Fire Safety Committee Survey, you will be sent draft emails you can send the BOF summarizing your concerns based upon your responses within about a day. You can access the survey here: Zone Zero Feedback Form 

• Send your questions or comments to PublicComments@bof.ca.gov

• Attend the June 16 workgroup via MS Teams. We will update the calendar with log in information.

• Join the Emerald Heights Fire Safety Committee

Town Hall Meeting:

On June 3rd, 2025 the Fire Safety Committee hosted  an educational Town Hall for the Emerald Heights Committee.  Resources from the Town Hall are available here:

Zone Zero Town Hall Slide Deck

Emerald Heights Feedback:
An e-mail was sent to the workgroup on May 11th, 2025.  It is accessible here:

May 11th E-mail

A formal correspondence from the HOA Board is currently be drafted and will be sent out by the HOA President in the upcoming weeks. A copy will be uploaded here when it has been submitted.