By: @Ophelia Szigeti
In October 2025, the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, in consultation with the State Fire Marshall, released proposed rulemaking language establishing Defensible Space Zone 0. The proposed rules would apply to structures located in a State Responsibility Area (SRA) or a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone within a Local Responsibility Area (LRA). Zone 0 would create an ember-resistant area within five feet of a structure by requiring the removal of combustible materials to reduce the risk of ignition from wind-blown embers. Property owners can check whether their structure is in one of these areas by visiting CAL FIRE’s website here.
The proposal would add new regulations to the California Code of Regulations to implement Public Resources Code Section 4291. CAL FIRE estimates that approximately 17 percent of structures statewide would fall within Zone 0 requirements and has cited embers as the major cause of structure loss during wildfires.
Defensible space is divided into three zones. Zone 0 covers the area from 0 to 5 feet from a structure and focuses on combustible materials that touch or are directly adjacent to the structure, including attached decks and stairs. The proposed rules apply to “buildings and structures,” defined as anything constructed for support, enclosure, shelter, or protection of persons, animals, or property, with a permanent roof supported by walls or posts connected to or resting on the ground.
Existing structures would have three years to comply once the regulations take effect. Newly constructed structures would need to comply immediately. The proposed requirements would prohibit combustible landscaping materials within five feet of a structure, including grass, shrubs, ornamental or native plants, fallen leaves, tree needles, weeds, and combustible mulch such as bark or wood chips. Trees within this zone must not have dead or dying branches, and roofs and gutters must be kept clear of combustible debris.
The Board is currently considering public input before initiating formal rulemaking. For updates, FAQs, and information on upcoming Zone 0 committee meetings and public comment opportunities, visit the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Zone 0 webpage. The next Zone Zero meeting is scheduled for April 23 at 1 PM and will be accessible via livestream. For more information or to submit a comment, please email PublicComments@bof.ca.gov.
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