Brush Clearance: Folsom vs Herald
How do brush clearance rules compare between Folsom, CA and Herald, CA?
Folsom and Herald have similar restriction levels.
Folsom, CA
Sacramento County
Folsom requires 100 feet of defensible space clearance around structures in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones per California Public Resources Code §4291. The Folsom Fire Department conducts annual inspections in east and south hill neighborhoods bordering Folsom Lake SRA and undeveloped grasslands.
View full Folsom rules →Herald, CA
Sacramento County
Property owners in unincorporated Sacramento County must maintain 100 ft defensible space per Public Resources Code 4291 in designated fire hazard zones, especially in foothill and Delta WUI areas. Metro Fire and Cal Fire inspect annually.
View full Herald rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Folsom | Herald |
|---|---|---|
| State Law | PRC §4291 | - |
| Distance | 100 ft defensible space | - |
| Zone 1 | 0-30 ft (strict) | - |
| Zone 2 | 30-100 ft (reduced fuel) | - |
| Inspection | Annual spring FFD | - |
| Zone | - | 100 ft defensible space |
| Authority | - | PRC 4291, Metro Fire |
| Inspections | - | Annual May to October |
| Grass Height | - | 4 inches max in Zone 2 |
| Noncompliance | - | Abatement plus lien |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Folsom FAQ
How do I know if my Folsom property is in the VHFHSZ?
Check the CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone viewer online using your address. Generally, homes in east and south Folsom near open space, Folsom Lake, or steep terrain are affected.
Can the city really clear my yard and bill me?
Yes. Under PRC §4291 and Folsom Municipal Code, failure to comply after notice triggers administrative abatement with costs recoverable as a property tax lien.
Herald FAQ
Am I in a fire hazard zone in Sacramento County?
Check the Cal Fire FHSZ viewer. Most VHFHSZ parcels are in the eastern foothills and certain Delta communities.
Does defensible space apply if I have no VHFHSZ designation?
The 100 ft standard applies in SRA and VHFHSZ. Elsewhere, general weed abatement rules still require lot cleanup.
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