Brush Clearance: Chino vs Rialto
How do brush clearance rules compare between Chino, CA and Rialto, CA?
Chino has fewer restrictions than Rialto.
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 →Rialto, CA
San Bernardino County
Rialto Municipal Code §15.28.060 (Vacant Lot Clearance) requires owners of vacant lots and improved parcels to clear weeds, brush, rubbish, and combustible vegetation creating a fire hazard. The Rialto Fire Department administers an annual weed abatement program; non-compliant lots are cleared by the city with costs (plus an administrative fee) becoming a lien on the property.
View full Rialto rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chino | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | - |
| Local code | - | Rialto Mun. Code §15.28.060 (Vacant Lot Clearance) |
| WUI defensible space | - | 100 ft. per PRC §4291 (5 / 5-30 / 30-100 zones) |
| Annual program | - | Spring weed abatement notices, ~30-day compliance |
| Forced abatement | - | City contracts cleanup + admin fee + tax lien |
| Enforcement | - | Rialto Fire Dept. + Community Compliance (909-820-8070) |
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.
Rialto FAQ
When do I need to clear my vacant lot?
By the date stated in your annual weed-abatement notice from Rialto Fire (typically late spring before fire season). Vegetation must be cut to 3 inches or less and combustible debris removed.
What happens if I don't clear my lot?
The city will contract a crew to clear it at your expense, adding administrative overhead (often 25–40%) and recording a lien on your property under Gov. Code §39574.
Does PRC 4291 apply to my Rialto home?
Only if your structure is in or adjacent to a State Responsibility Area or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (mainly the northern foothill / Cajon Pass overlay). Most Rialto residential parcels follow Mun. Code §15.28.060 instead.
Compare other topics
See how Chino and Rialto compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool