Brush Clearance: Daly City vs South San Francisco
How do brush clearance rules compare between Daly City, CA and South San Francisco, CA?
Daly City and South San Francisco have similar restriction levels.
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 →South San Francisco, CA
San Mateo County
Properties in the Wildland-Urban Interface of unincorporated San Mateo County must maintain defensible space under California Public Resources Code 4291: 100 feet of clearance around structures. CAL FIRE / San Mateo County Fire conducts defensible space inspections, and roadside vegetation must be cleared to specified clearances.
View full South San Francisco rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Daly City | South San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | - |
| Governing law | - | California Public Resources Code section 4291 |
| Defensible space distance | - | 100 ft around structures |
| Zone 1 (home defense) | - | 0-30 ft - lean, clean, green |
| Zone 2 (reduced fuel) | - | 30-100 ft - grass cut to 4 in max |
| Roadside clearance | - | 13 ft 6 in vertical, 10 ft from road edge |
| Inspections / contact | - | San Mateo County Fire Marshal, (650) 573-3846 |
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.
South San Francisco FAQ
How much defensible space do I need in unincorporated San Mateo County?
Under California Public Resources Code 4291, you must maintain 100 feet of defensible space around structures (or to your property line): Zone 1 is the first 30 feet kept lean, clean, and green, and Zone 2 extends from 30 to 100 feet with reduced fuel and grass cut to 4 inches.
Who inspects defensible space here?
The San Mateo County Fire Marshal's Office / CAL FIRE conducts defensible space inspections in the Wildland-Urban Interface. Contact SMCFDFireMarshal@fire.ca.gov or (650) 573-3846 to schedule an inspection or report a hazard.
Do I have to clear vegetation along my road?
Yes. Roadside vegetation clearance requires removing flammable vegetation to a vertical clearance of 13 feet 6 inches and 10 feet from the edges of the roadway.
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