Wildfire Zones: Fullerton vs Garden Grove
How do wildfire zones rules compare between Fullerton, CA and Garden Grove, CA?
Garden Grove has fewer restrictions than Fullerton.
Fullerton, CA
Orange County
Portions of Fullerton in the northern hills near the Puente Hills and West Coyote Hills are designated as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) by CAL FIRE. Properties in these zones face additional building and landscaping requirements.
View full Fullerton rules →Garden Grove, CA
Orange County
Garden Grove is a flat, fully urbanized city in central Orange County and First Street rates citywide wildfire risk as Very Low (about 4% of buildings at any risk). The City has not historically been mapped as containing CAL FIRE High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) area, so AB 38 disclosure and statewide defensible-space rules generally do not apply. Verify your parcel against the 2025 LRA FHSZ map before relying on this.
View full Garden Grove rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Fullerton | Garden Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Zones | Northern hills — VHFHSZ designated | - |
| Defensible Space | 100 ft clearance required (PRC §4291) | - |
| Building Code | CBC Chapter 7A ignition-resistant | - |
| Inspections | Annual by Fullerton Fire Dept. | - |
| Contact | Fullerton Fire — (714) 738-6500 | - |
| Citywide Wildfire Risk (First Street) | - | Very Low - approx. 4% of buildings at any risk |
| Topography | - | Flat urban coastal plain - no wildland interface |
| FHSZ Status | - | Not historically mapped High/Very High - verify 2025 LRA map |
| Map Authority | - | CAL FIRE / Office of the State Fire Marshal |
| 2025 Recommended Maps Released | - | March 24, 2025 |
| Defensible Space Statute (if mapped) | - | Public Resources Code 4291 - 100 ft |
| AB 38 Disclosure | - | Civ. Code 1102.19 - applies only in High/VH FHSZ |
| Local Fire Code | - | 2022 CFC adopted at GGMC Chapter 8.18 |
| Fire Authority | - | Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) |
| Verify Parcel | - | OCFA (714) 573-6000 or CAL FIRE FHSZ Viewer |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Fullerton FAQ
Is my Fullerton property in a wildfire zone?
Properties in northern Fullerton near the West Coyote Hills and Puente Hills may be in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Check the CAL FIRE FHSZ map or contact the Fullerton Fire Department at (714) 738-6500.
What is defensible space in Fullerton?
Properties in fire hazard zones must maintain 100 feet of defensible space around structures per California PRC Section 4291, including removing dead vegetation and maintaining fire-resistant landscaping.
Do fire zone properties need special building materials?
Yes. Properties in VHFHSZ areas must comply with CBC Chapter 7A for ignition-resistant construction including fire-rated roofing, walls, and ember-resistant vents.
Garden Grove FAQ
Is any part of Garden Grove in a CAL FIRE Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone?
Not historically. Garden Grove is fully urbanized flat terrain and does not appear on the OC Public Works Very High FHSZ in LRA list that captures Anaheim Hills, Yorba Linda, and the eastern foothill cities. CAL FIRE issued recommended 2025 LRA maps on March 24, 2025; verify your parcel before relying on this.
Do AB 38 defensible-space disclosures apply when I sell a Garden Grove home?
AB 38 (Civ. Code 1102.19) only attaches to properties in a State or Local Responsibility Area High or Very High FHSZ. Garden Grove parcels are generally outside those zones, so the AB 38 inspection and disclosure typically do not apply. Confirm with your title or escrow officer using the current CAL FIRE map.
How do I check whether a specific Garden Grove address is in an FHSZ?
Use the CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone Viewer (osfm.fire.ca.gov/FHSZ) or call the Orange County Fire Authority at (714) 573-6000 and ask the Fire Marshal to confirm with the current adopted map.
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