In accordance with California’s wildfire safety law AB-3074, all properties in high-risk fire-hazard zones must maintain an ember-resistant zone (Zone 0) extending 0 to 5 feet from the outside wall of the structure. This zone is designed to significantly reduce structure ignition caused by embers during wildfires.
What property owners need to know
- Defensible Space (0–100 ft Around the Structure)
The state continues to require 100 feet of defensible space, now clearly defined into zones for inspection and enforcement:
- Zone 0 (0–5 ft) — Ember-Resistant Zone
- No combustible or flammable materials against or near exterior walls
- No wood mulch, firewood, stored fuels, or other combustibles
- No plants, shrubs, or landscaping touching siding, doors, or vents
- No combustible storage under decks, stairs, or within structural overhangs
- Zone 1 & Zone 2 (5–100 ft) — Vegetation-Reduction Zone
- Remove dead, dry, or overgrown vegetation
- Trim trees and maintain spacing between branches and rooflines
- Ensure proper clearance between vegetation and structural elements
- Authorities such as CAL FIRE and local fire departments may require additional fuel reduction when necessary for public safety
- Zone 0 (0–5 ft) — Ember-Resistant Zone
- Home Hardening (Construction & Materials)
- New construction in fire-hazard areas must meet wildfire-resistant building codes, including:
- Fire-rated or ignition-resistant roofs
- Ember-resistant vents and exterior openings
- Multi-pane or tempered glass windows
- Approved ignition-resistant siding and decking materials
- Existing homes are not retroactively required to rebuild, but any remodel, rebuild, or addition must comply with the most current wildfire-resistant codes in effect at the time of construction.
- New construction in fire-hazard areas must meet wildfire-resistant building codes, including:
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Property Owner & Insurance Rights
- Owners and their insurance providers may choose to exceed minimum defensible-space standards for added safety
- Tree-removal clarifications for wildfire safety:
- Trees within 10 feet of a chimney may be removed without additional discretionary approval
- Dead, dying, or hazardous trees may be removed when required for wildfire risk mitigation
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Inspections, Local Authority & Enforcement
- CAL FIRE must update inspection standards to enforce the new Zone 0 (0–5 ft) rule
- Local fire agencies may adopt stricter defensible-space ordinances than state minimums
The law clarifies procedures related to:
- Inspections
- Enforcement cost recovery
- Appeals and dispute resolution
- New developments must meet updated wildfire-safety mitigation standards prior to approval
AB-3074 formally established California’s 0–5 ft ember-resistant Zone 0 requirement, while reinforcing defensible-space management and home-hardening standards. Since 2021, this is why property owners in wildfire-prone regions receive 0–5 ft and 5–100 ft defensible-space inspection notices from CAL FIRE or local fire departments.