Brush Clearance: Castro Valley vs San Leandro
How do brush clearance rules compare between Castro Valley, CA and San Leandro, CA?
San Leandro has fewer restrictions than Castro Valley.
Castro Valley, CA
Alameda County
Public Resources Code 4291 requires 100 feet of defensible space around all structures in VHFHSZ and SRA areas of Alameda County, enforced by CAL FIRE and the Alameda County Fire Department.
View full Castro Valley rules →San Leandro, CA
Alameda County
San Leandro sits in the flat East Bay lowlands with minimal wildfire risk. PRC 4291 defensible space applies only to hillside parcels near Lake Chabot Regional Park.
View full San Leandro rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Castro Valley | San Leandro |
|---|---|---|
| Legal basis | PRC 4291 | - |
| Defensible space | 100 feet | - |
| Zone 0 | 0-5 feet ember-resistant | - |
| Zone 1 | 5-30 feet lean clean green | - |
| Grass height | 4 inches max in Zone 2 | - |
| Fire Zone | - | Mostly non-VHFHSZ |
| PRC 4291 | - | Hillside parcels only |
| Weed Abatement | - | Citywide nuisance rules |
| Enforcement | - | ACFD and Code Enforcement |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Castro Valley FAQ
When do inspections occur?
The Alameda County Fire Department and CAL FIRE typically inspect from May through October, with peak focus in June and July before peak fire season.
What happens if I fail inspection?
You receive a notice to correct with a deadline; failure to correct results in fines and county abatement where contractors perform the work and bill the property owner.
San Leandro FAQ
Do I need 100-foot defensible space in San Leandro?
Only if your property abuts the East Bay hills. Most flatland parcels are not in a fire hazard severity zone.
Who enforces this in San Leandro?
San Leandro code enforcement at (510) 577-3394 handles most complaints. Alameda County agencies handle regional issues.
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