Wildfire Zones: Chino vs Rialto
How do wildfire zones rules compare between Chino, CA and Rialto, CA?
Chino and Rialto have similar restriction levels.
Chino, CA
San Bernardino County
Under California Government Code §51178–§51182 and CVFD Ordinance 2025-01 (effective September 1, 2025), CAL FIRE designates Fire Hazard Severity Zones in Chino. While most of the urbanized city is outside any FHSZ, parcels along the southern and western edges — particularly those near the Puente-Chino Hills wildlife corridor and adjacent to Chino Hills State Park (>7,300 acres of Very High FHSZ) — fall into Moderate, High, or Very-High zones. Owners in High/Very-High FHSZ must maintain PRC §4291 defensible space, build to Chapter 7A WUI standards on new construction, and provide Natural Hazard Disclosures on sale (Civil Code §1103).
View full Chino rules →Rialto, CA
San Bernardino County
Most of Rialto is in a Local Responsibility Area (LRA) Moderate / Non-VHFHSZ classification, but the northern foothill / Cajon Pass overlay touches CAL FIRE State Responsibility Area (SRA) Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ). Properties within these zones face Cal. Public Resources Code §4291 100-ft. defensible space, Cal. Government Code §51182 vegetation requirements, and Cal. Building Code Chapter 7A WUI construction standards.
View full Rialto rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chino | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| State authority | Cal. Gov. Code §51178–§51182; PRC §4291; CBC Ch. 7A | - |
| Local ordinance | CVFD Ord. 2025-01 (FHSZ adoption, effective Sept. 1 2025) | - |
| Chino FHSZ areas | Southwest edge, Puente-Chino Hills corridor, State Park boundary parcels | - |
| Adjacent VH FHSZ | >7,300 acres in Chino Hills State Park | - |
| Defensible space | 100 ft under PRC §4291 (Zones 0/1/2) | 100 ft. (PRC §4291 / Gov. Code §51182) in VHFHSZ |
| New-build standard | California Building Code Chapter 7A (WUI ignition resistance) | - |
| Disclosure on sale | Natural Hazard Disclosure — Civil Code §1103 | - |
| Most of city | - | LRA Moderate / unzoned |
| Northern foothill / Cajon Pass | - | SRA Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone |
| New construction in WUI | - | Cal. Building Code Ch. 7A required |
| AB 38 sale disclosure | - | Required for VHFHSZ properties |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Chino FAQ
Is my Chino property in a Fire Hazard Severity Zone?
Most of Chino's developed core is not in any FHSZ. Properties along the city's southwest edge, near the Puente-Chino Hills wildlife corridor, or adjacent to Chino Hills State Park may be in Moderate, High, or Very-High FHSZ. Look up your parcel on the CVFD map at chinovalleyfire.org/280/Fire-Hazard-Severity-Zone-Map or CAL FIRE's statewide tool at egis.fire.ca.gov.
What changes if I'm in a Very-High FHSZ?
Three things: (1) you must maintain 100 ft of defensible space under PRC §4291; (2) any new construction or major addition must comply with California Building Code Chapter 7A (ignition-resistant siding, ember-resistant vents, Class A roof); and (3) the seller must provide a Natural Hazard Disclosure statement on sale under Civil Code §1103.
When did Chino's new FHSZ map take effect?
CVFD Ordinance 2025-01 was adopted July 9, 2025 and took effect September 1, 2025. It implements CAL FIRE's 2024–2025 LRA Fire Hazard Severity Zone update for the City of Chino and Chino Hills.
Rialto FAQ
How do I know if my Rialto property is in a wildfire zone?
Check the official CAL FIRE FHSZ Viewer (osfm.fire.ca.gov/fhsz). Most Rialto urban parcels are LRA Moderate; only northern/foothill parcels near Lytle Creek and the Cajon Pass are SRA VHFHSZ.
What do I have to do if I'm in a VHFHSZ?
Maintain 100 ft. defensible space per PRC §4291, comply with Ch. 7A construction standards for new builds/remodels, and disclose the zone at any sale per AB 38.
Does Rialto Fire inspect for defensible space?
Yes — Rialto Fire conducts annual weed-abatement inspections of all parcels under Mun. Code §15.28.060; CAL FIRE separately inspects SRA parcels for PRC §4291 compliance.
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