California approves new wildfire safety rules for high-risk zones

The California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection has unanimously approved new regulations aimed at reducing wildfire risks through the creation of ‘Zone 0,’ an ember-resistant area surrounding homes. The rules target properties located within State Responsibility Areas and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.

Under the new mandates, homeowners must remove or modify combustible materials—such as mulch, vines, firewood, dead leaves, and wood chips—within five feet of their structures. Additionally, any vegetation must be cleared within at least one foot of a structure or up to the edge of the roof eave. Trees are permitted but must have branches trimmed at least ten feet away from chimneys and five feet above roofs.

If approved by the state’s Office of Administrative Law, the rules will apply to new construction immediately. For existing homes, certain requirements, such as clearing debris from roofs and gutters and trimming trees, must be implemented within three years, while other select regulations allow for a five-year window. Officials noted that these measures are intended to give homes a ‘fighting chance’ by controlling ignition and reducing fuel near structures.