Wildfire Zones: Oakland vs San Leandro
How do wildfire zones rules compare between Oakland, CA and San Leandro, CA?
San Leandro has fewer restrictions than Oakland.
Oakland, CA
Alameda County
Most of the Oakland Hills east of Highway 13 and 580 is mapped by CAL FIRE as a Local Responsibility Area Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Properties in the VHFHSZ face heightened requirements: 100-foot defensible space, AB 38 natural hazard disclosure at sale, Chapter 7A ignition-resistant construction for new builds and major remodels, and inclusion in the Wildfire Prevention Assessment District.
View full Oakland rules →San Leandro, CA
Alameda County
San Leandro has minimal wildfire exposure. The vast majority of the city is outside CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zones, with only eastern hillside edges mapped.
View full San Leandro rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Oakland | San Leandro |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | |
| Citywide Risk | - | Low |
| VHFHSZ | - | None in flatlands |
| Hillside Edges | - | Moderate/High zones |
| Chapter 7A | - | New hillside builds |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Oakland FAQ
How do I find out if my Oakland home is in the VHFHSZ?
Check the City's online Fire Zone GIS map or enter your address on the CAL FIRE FHSZ viewer. If your parcel is in the zone, defensible space, Chapter 7A, and AB 38 disclosure requirements apply.
What is AB 38 disclosure?
AB 38 (effective 2021) requires sellers of homes in high or very high fire hazard zones to provide documentation of defensible space compliance and, for homes built before 2010, disclose specified ignition-resistance retrofit items in the Natural Hazard Disclosure Statement.
San Leandro FAQ
Is San Leandro a wildfire risk area?
No. San Leandro sits in the flat East Bay lowlands and is largely outside CAL FIRE hazard zones. Only properties bordering the eastern hills face elevated risk.
Who enforces this in San Leandro?
San Leandro code enforcement at (510) 577-3394 handles most complaints. Alameda County agencies handle regional issues.
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