Wildfire Zones: Daly City vs Redwood City
How do wildfire zones rules compare between Daly City, CA and Redwood City, CA?
Daly City has fewer restrictions than Redwood City.
Daly City, CA
San Mateo County
Daly City is a Local Responsibility Area (LRA), not a State Responsibility Area. CAL FIRE's Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps identify Moderate and High hazard pockets along San Bruno Mountain ridgelines and coastal hillsides; the urban core sits in non-VHFHSZ. Properties in mapped zones face PRC §4291 defensible space, AB 38 disclosure, and Chapter 7A building code requirements.
View full Daly City rules →Redwood City, CA
San Mateo County
Unincorporated San Mateo County contains Moderate, High, and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, with the Santa Cruz Mountains and coastal hills (La Honda, Pescadero, and similar) at the highest risk. Mapped zones trigger defensible space (PRC 4291), WUI building standards (CBC Chapter 7A), and real estate disclosure.
View full Redwood City rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Daly City | Redwood City |
|---|---|---|
| Responsibility area | Local Responsibility Area (LRA) | - |
| Hazard zones | Moderate/High pockets along hillsides | - |
| Urban core | Not in any FHSZ | - |
| Defensible space | 100 ft if in VHFHSZ (PRC §4291) | - |
| Building code | CBC Chapter 7A (new construction in FHSZ) | - |
| Disclosure | AB 38 at sale | Natural Hazard Disclosure required at sale |
| Zone classes | - | Moderate, High, Very High (CAL FIRE) |
| Highest-risk areas | - | Santa Cruz Mountains, coastal hills (La Honda, Pescadero) |
| Designating law | - | Government Code sections 51175-51189 |
| Defensible space (VHFHSZ) | - | 100 ft, PRC 4291 / Gov Code 51182 |
| WUI building standard | - | California Building Code Chapter 7A |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Daly City FAQ
Is my Daly City home in a wildfire hazard zone?
Most central and northern Daly City parcels are not in any Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Hillside parcels adjacent to San Bruno Mountain or the coastal bluffs may be in Moderate or High FHSZ — check the CAL FIRE FHSZ viewer by address.
Does AB 38 affect selling my home?
Only if your property is in a designated High or Very High FHSZ. In that case you must provide the buyer with documentation of defensible space compliance and disclose home-hardening features.
Redwood City FAQ
Is unincorporated San Mateo County in a wildfire hazard zone?
Much of it is. The Santa Cruz Mountains and coastal hills, including communities such as La Honda, San Gregorio, and Pescadero, are mapped by CAL FIRE as High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Check the county's interactive FHSZ map for your specific parcel.
What rules apply if my property is in a Very High zone?
You must maintain 100 feet of defensible space under PRC 4291 / Government Code 51182, new construction must meet California Building Code Chapter 7A wildfire-exposure standards, and you must disclose the FHSZ designation when selling.
Who provides fire protection in the unincorporated county?
CAL FIRE / San Mateo County Fire provides fire protection in the unincorporated areas and enforces defensible space and fire-code requirements. Contact the Fire Marshal at (650) 573-3846.
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