Brush Clearance: Daly City vs San Mateo
How do brush clearance rules compare between Daly City, CA and San Mateo, CA?
San Mateo has fewer restrictions than Daly City.
Daly City, CA
San Mateo County
Daly City requires property owners in the designated Southern Hills fire hazard area, abutting San Bruno Mountain, to clear all flammable vegetation including gorse, grass, weeds, and brush. The fire chief designates the hazard area and clearance duties under Municipal Code section 15.32.260.
View full Daly City rules →San Mateo, CA
San Mateo County
Properties in fire-prone areas of San Mateo must maintain defensible space under California PRC 4291. The San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department enforces vegetation management requirements. Hillside properties on the western slopes are subject to enhanced clearance requirements.
View full San Mateo rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Daly City | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Designated area | Southern Hills, NE Daly City by San Bruno Mountain | - |
| Target species | Gorse, plus grass, weeds, brush | - |
| Chimney clearance | Trees trimmed 10 ft from outlets | - |
| Spark screens | Nonflammable, max 1/2-inch openings | - |
| Roof maintenance | Free of leaves, needles, dead growth | - |
| Defensible Space | - | 100 feet required (PRC 4291) |
| Zone 1 | - | 0-30 ft — lean/clean/green |
| Zone 2 | - | 30-100 ft — reduced vegetation |
| High-Risk Areas | - | Western hillside neighborhoods |
| Fire Dept | - | SM Consolidated Fire |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Daly City FAQ
Which Daly City properties must clear brush under the Vegetation Management Program?
Properties within the Southern Hills area designated by the fire chief: the northeast portion of Daly City north and east of Crocker Avenue, including South Hill Boulevard, Alta Vista Way, Oakridge Street, and nearby streets abutting San Bruno Mountain County Park. An official map is kept at the Daly City fire department's administrative offices.
Do I have to remove every plant on my Southern Hills property?
No. The code exempts single specimens of trees, ornamental shrubs, and groundcover plants that will not rapidly transmit fire from native growth to a structure, and grass or vegetation under 12 inches tall may be kept to stabilize soil and prevent erosion.
San Mateo FAQ
Does my San Mateo property need brush clearance?
Properties in or near wildland-urban interface areas must maintain 100 feet of defensible space. Western hillside properties are most likely affected.
What does defensible space require?
Zone 1 (0-30 ft): short, well-watered vegetation, no dead plants. Zone 2 (30-100 ft): spaced and thinned vegetation to slow fire spread.
Who enforces brush clearance in San Mateo?
The San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department conducts inspections and issues notices for non-compliant properties.
Compare other topics
See how Daly City and San Mateo 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