Blog - Month: September 2026

California has approved a statewide Zone 0 wildfire standard that establishes requirements to reduce combustible materials immediately around homes and commercial buildings in areas with elevated wildfire risk.

The California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection approved the regulations on Aug. 19, 2026. The rules apply to properties in State Responsibility Areas and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones within Local Responsibility Areas and affect an estimated 2 million homes.

Zone 0 covers the first five feet around a structure, an area that can play an outsized role in whether a home ignites during a wildfire. Wind-driven embers can land next to a house and ignite mulch, leaves, firewood, plants, fencing and other combustible materials. Flames can then spread to the structure.

Research has found that maintaining an ember-resistant area around a home can significantly increase its chances of surviving a wildfire.

A smaller noncombustible area

The final rules are less restrictive than the standard originally envisioned under a 2020 state law that called for an ember-resistant zone extending five feet from structures.

Instead, the new regulations create a noncombustible safety area extending at least one foot from a structure or to the edge of its eaves, whichever is greater.

The following are prohibited within the one-foot safety area:

• Vegetation
• Firewood
• Bark mulch
• Wood chips
• Dead leaves
• Branches

Vegetation must be kept at least two feet from windows, doors and vents and five feet from attached decks and similar features.

The rest of Zone 0 is considered a low-combustibility area. Some well-maintained plants, ground cover, grass and trees may remain if they meet the requirements.

Trees may remain within Zone 0 but must be maintained. Among other requirements, dead wood and lower branches that could act as “ladder fuels” should be removed. Branches must be kept away from roofs, eaves and chimneys, and roofs and gutters should be kept free of combustible debris.

The regulations also address fences and outbuildings. Where a fence attaches to a home, a five-foot noncombustible section will eventually be required. Sheds and outbuildings within Zone 0 must have noncombustible exterior roofs and walls.

The three zones

Zone 0 is the area closest to the home. California’s defensible-space system generally extends 100 feet from a structure.

Zone 0: 0 to 5 feet — This is the ember-resistant area immediately surrounding the home. The goal is to prevent embers from igniting nearby materials and spreading fire to the structure.

Zone 1: 5 to 30 feet — This area focuses on creating a lean, clean and green environment by removing dead vegetation, trimming trees and separating plants to slow the spread of fire.

Zone 2: 30 to 100 feet — This zone focuses on reducing fuels by mowing grasses, removing fallen branches and creating adequate spacing between trees and shrubs.

Local governments may adopt stricter requirements based on their communities’ wildfire risks.

When the rules take effect

The regulations are expected to take effect for new construction in September. Existing homeowners will have a phased compliance period, with some requirements taking effect within three years and full compliance required within five years.

Once the official grace period for your fire-hazard tier expires, penalties will apply for continued noncompliance:

• Initial infractions: These typically result in an administrative fine of $100 to $500 per day until the violation is corrected.
• Severe misconduct: Repeated refusal to clear the zone after multiple warnings can be treated as a misdemeanor, potentially leading to higher court-ordered fines.

While state and local agencies may be lenient early on, California home insurance companies are not. Many private insurers have already adopted Zone 0 benchmarks. Failing a private insurance inspection or not clearing your five-foot perimeter can result in an immediate premium increase, policy nonrenewal or claim denial.

If you are making defensible-space improvements partly for insurance purposes, check with us before starting major work. We can help you understand your insurer’s requirements and whether documentation, photographs or an inspection is necessary to receive credit for the improvements.