Brush Clearance: Antioch vs Walnut Creek
How do brush clearance rules compare between Antioch, CA and Walnut Creek, CA?
Antioch has fewer restrictions than Walnut Creek.
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 →Walnut Creek, CA
Contra Costa County
Properties in Walnut Creek's Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone and State Responsibility Area — including the city's eastern hills near Mount Diablo and along the Shell Ridge Open Space — must maintain 100 feet of defensible space under California Public Resources Code Section 4291, with specific Zone 0 (0–5 ft) ember-resistant clearance required under AB 3074.
View full Walnut Creek rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Antioch | Walnut Creek |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | - |
| - | - |
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.
Walnut Creek FAQ
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