Brush Clearance: Antioch vs El Cerrito
How do brush clearance rules compare between Antioch, CA and El Cerrito, CA?
Antioch has fewer restrictions than El Cerrito.
Antioch, CA
Contra Costa County
California Public Resources Code 4291 requires 100 feet of defensible space around structures in fire hazard areas. Antioch's hillside and open-space fringe parcels (especially near Black Diamond Mines and Deer Valley) fall within CAL FIRE-mapped moderate and high Fire Hazard Severity Zones where clearance is mandatory.
View full Antioch rules →El Cerrito, CA
Contra Costa County
Properties in State Responsibility Areas and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones across unincorporated Contra Costa must maintain 100 feet of defensible space under Public Resources Code 4291. ConFire conducts annual inspections in the WUI, and non-compliance can trigger abatement, liens, and fines starting at $100 and escalating to misdemeanor charges.
View full El Cerrito rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Antioch | El Cerrito |
|---|---|---|
| State law | PRC 4291 (100-ft clearance) | - |
| Zone 1 | 0-30 ft - lean, clean, green | - |
| Zone 2 | 30-100 ft - reduced fuel | - |
| Inspector | Contra Costa County FPD | - |
| Non-compliance | City abatement + lien on property | Abatement, lien, $100 to $500 penalties |
| Clearance distance | - | 100 feet (PRC 4291) |
| Zone 0 ember zone | - | 0 to 5 ft non-combustible (AB 3074) |
| Grass height in Zone 2 | - | Max 4 inches |
| Inspection | - | Annual by ConFire in WUI/VHFHSZ |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Antioch FAQ
Is my Antioch property in a Fire Hazard Severity Zone?
Check the CAL FIRE FHSZ viewer at osfm.fire.ca.gov. Hillside lots on the city's southern and eastern edges are most likely to be mapped High or Very High FHSZ.
What if my 100-foot zone crosses my property line?
PRC 4291 requires you to clear what you legally can on your own property and coordinate with neighbors. You cannot enter or clear a neighbor's land without permission.
El Cerrito FAQ
Does PRC 4291 apply to renters?
Yes. The statute applies to any person who owns, leases, controls, operates, or maintains the property. Owner and tenant share responsibility, though the owner is ultimately liable for the lien.
Are oak trees protected when I clear defensible space?
Native oaks and other protected trees may require a tree-removal permit for whole-tree removal, but routine limbing to 6 feet and removing dead wood for fire safety is allowed without a permit.
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