Brush Clearance: Chino vs Victorville
How do brush clearance rules compare between Chino, CA and Victorville, CA?
Chino has fewer restrictions than Victorville.
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 →Victorville, CA
San Bernardino County
Victorville requires owners to keep lots free of dry weeds, brush, tumbleweeds, and rubbish under VMC nuisance rules and CA H and S 14875. High Desert parcels near hills require 100-foot defensible space under PRC 4291.
View full Victorville rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chino | Victorville |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | - |
| State authority | - | CA H and S 14875-14922 and PRC 4291 |
| Defensible space | - | 100 feet near VHFHSZ |
| Tumbleweeds | - | Specifically cited as fuel |
| Abatement fees | - | Billed to owner plus admin cost |
| Enforcement | - | Code Enforcement (760) 955-5104 |
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.
Victorville FAQ
Do I need 100-foot defensible space in Victorville?
If your parcel touches or sits inside a CAL FIRE Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (common along the north and east foothills), yes under PRC 4291. Valley-floor parcels still need weed and tumbleweed abatement.
Who handles tumbleweeds that blow in from a neighbor's vacant lot?
The owner of the parcel where the tumbleweeds accumulate is responsible for removal. You can also file a complaint against the source lot through Victorville Code Enforcement.
Compare other topics
See how Chino and Victorville 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