Wildfire Zones: Berkeley vs Oakland
How do wildfire zones rules compare between Berkeley, CA and Oakland, CA?
Berkeley and Oakland have similar restriction levels.
Berkeley, CA
Alameda County
The Berkeley Hills are designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone by CAL FIRE. Enhanced defensible space, WUI building codes, and ember-resistant construction are mandatory.
View full Berkeley rules →Oakland, CA
Alameda County
Most of the Oakland Hills east of Highway 13 and 580 is mapped by CAL FIRE as a Local Responsibility Area Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Properties in the VHFHSZ face heightened requirements: 100-foot defensible space, AB 38 natural hazard disclosure at sale, Chapter 7A ignition-resistant construction for new builds and major remodels, and inclusion in the Wildfire Prevention Assessment District.
View full Oakland rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Berkeley | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Zone | Berkeley Hills = VHFHSZ | - |
| Building code | CFC Chapter 7A (WUI) | - |
| Roof | Class A required | - |
| Vents | 1/8-inch ember-resistant mesh | - |
| Sale disclosure | AB 38 required | - |
| - | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Berkeley FAQ
How do I check if my home is in the VHFHSZ?
Use the CAL FIRE FHSZ Viewer online or Berkeley's parcel map. Most homes east of the Hayward Fault (roughly above Shattuck elevation) fall inside the VHFHSZ.
Do I need to retrofit my existing home to WUI code?
Only new construction and substantial remodels trigger Chapter 7A compliance. However, voluntary home hardening is strongly encouraged and may qualify for insurance discounts under the Safer from Wildfires framework.
Oakland FAQ
How do I find out if my Oakland home is in the VHFHSZ?
Check the City's online Fire Zone GIS map or enter your address on the CAL FIRE FHSZ viewer. If your parcel is in the zone, defensible space, Chapter 7A, and AB 38 disclosure requirements apply.
What is AB 38 disclosure?
AB 38 (effective 2021) requires sellers of homes in high or very high fire hazard zones to provide documentation of defensible space compliance and, for homes built before 2010, disclose specified ignition-resistance retrofit items in the Natural Hazard Disclosure Statement.
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