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California adopts new 'Zone Zero' wildfire landscaping rules
The California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection has approved new landscaping requirements designed to mitigate wildfire risks in high-hazard areas. The regulations focus on 'Zone Zero,' a critical five-foot perimeter surrounding homes that is highly vulnerable to ignition from wind-driven embers.
Under the new rules, combustible materials such as firewood, wood chips, bark mulch, and dead vegetation must be removed from this zone. While the regulations prohibit certain materials, they include compromises to allow for greenery: lawns, flowers, and non-woody plants up to 18 inches tall are permitted, provided they are not located directly under the roofline. Trees are also allowed, but branches must be trimmed at least five feet away from any structure.
The mandate affects an estimated 2 million homes located within State Responsibility Areas and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. The rules apply immediately to all new constructions, while existing homeowners will be granted a phase-in period of up to five years to achieve compliance.
Entities
Cal Fire · California · California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection · Terrence O’Brien
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The new rules target the first five feet around a home, known as 'Zone Zero', to reduce ember-driven ignition risks. www.ksfr.org · dnyuz.com · timesofsandiego.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection approved new landscaping regulations for 'Zone Zero'. www.ksfr.org · dnyuz.com · timesofsandiego.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Combustible materials including bark mulch, wood chips, firewood, and dead vegetation are prohibited within the five-foot zone. dnyuz.com · timesofsandiego.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Lawns, flowers, and non-woody plants up to 18 inches tall are permitted in Zone Zero, provided they are not under the roofline. www.ksfr.org · timesofsandiego.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Approximately 2 million homes in high-risk wildfire zones are affected by these requirements. www.ksfr.org · dnyuz.com · timesofsandiego.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The regulations apply immediately to new constructions and will be phased in for existing structures. www.ksfr.org · dnyuz.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Existing homeowners will have up to five years to comply with the new regulations. dnyuz.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Trees are allowed in the zone if branches are trimmed at least five feet away from structures. www.ksfr.org