What does defensible space require in California?

California law directs the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection to establish an ember-resistant zone within the first five feet around structures, commonly called Zone 0.¹

As of July 2026, the statewide Board of Forestry rulemaking process is still active, with draft language and public meetings continuing.

That does not mean owners should ignore the first five feet.

CAL FIRE, counties and fire agencies already recommend making this area as resistant to embers as possible.² Some cities and local jurisdictions have adopted enforceable local Zone 0 or ember-resistant requirements.

Property owners should check the current rules for their exact address before assuming that statewide draft timing controls the local requirement.

The area immediately adjacent to the building, attached decks and stairs.

The objective is to reduce the chance that wind-driven embers ignite material against the structure.

Common recommendations include:

• Remove dead leaves, needles and debris
• Keep roofs and gutters clean
• Remove combustible material beneath decks
• Move firewood away
• Limit combustible furniture and storage
• Use noncombustible ground treatments where required
• Avoid woody plants directly beside windows and siding
• Address combustible fencing attached to the building
• Keep vegetation maintained and widely separated

Check local requirements before selecting plants or landscape material for this area.

The area closest to the home after Zone 0.

Typical work includes:

• Remove dead vegetation
• Maintain grass
• Prune lower branches
• Remove branches over roofs
• Break up continuous shrubs
• Separate vegetation from decks and stairs
• Reduce ladder fuels
• Maintain space around trees
• Clear around outbuildings and propane tanks

The outer reduced-fuel area or the distance to the property line when it is closer.

Typical work includes:

• Mow annual grass to the applicable height
• Space shrubs and trees
• Remove dead vegetation
• Remove heavy accumulations of leaves and branches
• Prune lower tree limbs
• Maintain woodpile clearance
• Reduce continuous fuel that could carry fire toward a structure

Defensible space does not necessarily mean:

• Removing every tree
• Removing every plant
• Covering the entire property in bare soil
• Guaranteeing that a home will survive
• Guaranteeing insurance coverage
• Replacing home hardening
• Receiving automatic government approval
• Completing one project and never maintaining it again

Well-planned defensible space manages vegetation placement, condition and continuity.

Driveways and access — Clearance may be needed for visibility, vehicle passage and emergency access.

Propane tanks — Vegetation and combustible material may need to be removed around tanks and nearby structures.

Outbuildings — Sheds, detached garages and other buildings can create additional areas requiring treatment.

Decks and stairs — Remove accumulated debris and combustible vegetation beneath and beside them.

Wood piles — Move and maintain them according to current local requirements.

Neighboring property — The 100-foot area may extend beyond your property boundary. You generally cannot clear another owner's property without permission.

Slopes — Greater spacing may be recommended because fire can move differently uphill.

Depending on the location, inspections may be handled by:

• CAL FIRE
• A county fire department
• A local fire district
• A city
• Another designated authority

A private contractor can assess and perform work but is not automatically authorized to issue an official compliance determination.

Ask:

• Who has jurisdiction?
• Is an inspection required?
• Is there a written report?
• Is reinspection required?
• What is the deadline?
• Does the local agency enforce Zone 0?
• Are local requirements stricter than state guidance?

• Brush removal
• Grass and weed cutting
• Pruning
• Tree and shrub spacing
• Deadwood removal
• Chipping
• Forestry mulching
• Green-waste hauling
• Cleanup around structures
• Driveway vegetation clearing
• Propane-tank clearance
• Recurring maintenance

Not every provider performs official assessments, mature-tree removal or home-hardening construction.

• Defensible-Space service
• Defensible-Space Work in Nevada City
• El Dorado County hub
• Placer County hub
• Nevada County hub
• California Property Clearing Project Planner