Brush Clearance: Chino vs Hesperia
How do brush clearance rules compare between Chino, CA and Hesperia, CA?
Chino has fewer restrictions than Hesperia.
Chino, CA
San Bernardino County
Properties in Chino's High and Very-High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) — primarily parcels adjacent to the Chino Hills State Park / Puente-Chino Hills wildlife corridor — must maintain 100 feet of defensible space under California Public Resources Code §4291 and CVFD Ordinance 2022-01. Citywide, all parcels must control weeds, dry grass, and combustible vegetation as a fire and public-nuisance hazard. CVFD conducts inspections in late spring, summer, and fall; non-compliance triggers fees, fines, and forced clearance by the district's contractor with costs lien-assessed to the parcel.
View full Chino rules →Hesperia, CA
San Bernardino County
Hesperia contracts with San Bernardino County Fire Hazard Abatement to enforce defensible-space requirements. Weeds and grasses must be cut to no more than 4 inches in height within 30 feet of any structure. State law (PRC §4291) requires 100 ft of defensible space in State Responsibility Areas and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones — newly expanded in Hesperia effective July 22, 2025.
View full Hesperia rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chino | Hesperia |
|---|---|---|
| State law | California Public Resources Code §4291 (100-ft defensible space) | - |
| Local ordinance | CVFD Ord. 2022-01 (vegetation management) & 2025-01 (FHSZ map, eff. Sept 1 2025) | - |
| Zone 0 (0–5 ft) | Ember-resistant — no combustibles touching structure (AB 3074) | - |
| Zone 1 (5–30 ft) | Lean/clean/green — grass <4 in, no dead vegetation | - |
| Zone 2 (30–100 ft) | Reduce fuel — vertical & horizontal tree/shrub spacing | - |
| FHSZ areas in Chino | Parcels near Chino Hills State Park & Puente-Chino Hills corridor | - |
| Enforcement contact | CVFD Vegetation Management: weeds@chofire.org / (909) 902-5285 | - |
| Weed Height Limit | - | ≤4 in within 30 ft of structures |
| Defensible Space (VHFHSZ) | - | 100 ft per PRC §4291 |
| Zone 0 | - | 0–5 ft ember-resistant |
| Inspections | - | Spring (weeds) + Fall (tumbleweeds) |
| Enforcement | - | SB County Fire Hazard Abatement (760) 995-8140 |
| WUI Effective | - | Expanded VHFHSZ maps effective July 22, 2025 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Chino FAQ
Do I need 100 feet of defensible space in Chino?
Only if your parcel is in a designated High or Very-High Fire Hazard Severity Zone — primarily properties adjacent to Chino Hills State Park or the Puente-Chino Hills wildlife corridor on the city's south/southwest edge. PRC §4291 and CVFD Ordinance 2022-01 require 100 ft of defensible space (or to the property line) in those zones. Check the FHSZ map at chinovalleyfire.org/280/Fire-Hazard-Severity-Zone-Map.
When does CVFD inspect for weeds?
Routine vegetation inspections happen in late spring, summer, and fall. If you receive a notice, you'll get a deadline to clear — typically 30 days. Failure to comply results in fees, fines, or the district sending its contracted vegetation-clearance contractor to do the work at your expense (lien-assessed).
What about weeds on a non-WUI residential lot?
Citywide, tall weeds and dry grass are still a public nuisance under Chino Municipal Code Title 8 (Health and Safety). Chino Public Works Services (909-334-3266) and Code Compliance (909-334-3319) handle citywide weed abatement separately from the CVFD's WUI defensible-space program.
Hesperia FAQ
How tall can weeds be on my Hesperia property?
Weeds and grasses (other than ornamentals) must be kept to 4 inches or less within 30 feet of any structure. In VHFHSZ areas, PRC §4291 requires 100 feet of defensible space organized into three zones.
Who enforces weed abatement in Hesperia?
San Bernardino County Fire Hazard Abatement enforces under contract with the City. Inspections run twice a year — spring for weeds and grasses, fall for tumbleweeds. Contact (760) 995-8140 option 5.
What happens if I don't clear my weeds?
After notice, a county contractor clears the parcel and the cost plus administrative fees is billed to the owner. Unpaid charges become a tax lien on the property.
Am I in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone?
Possibly — Hesperia's VHFHSZ areas were significantly expanded effective July 22, 2025 under the updated CAL FIRE/OSFM LRA maps. Check the OSFM viewer or contact Hesperia Building & Safety.
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