Wildfire Zones: Petaluma vs Santa Rosa
How do wildfire zones rules compare between Petaluma, CA and Santa Rosa, CA?
Petaluma and Santa Rosa have similar restriction levels.
Petaluma, CA
Sonoma County
Portions of Petaluma fall within CAL FIRE-mapped Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ). Properties in 'Very High' FHSZ are subject to PRC §4291 (state) and PMC §17.20.050 (local) defensible-space and ignition-resistant construction standards.
View full Petaluma rules →Santa Rosa, CA
Sonoma County
Most of unincorporated Sonoma County lies within a State Responsibility Area (SRA) or Local Responsibility Area Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Sonoma County Fire Code Section 4905.4 (Ord. 2023-01) requires structures in SRAs to meet exterior-wall fire-resistance and setback standards per Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations (SRA Fire Safe Regulations). State law (Public Resources Code Section 4291) layers a 100-foot defensible-space requirement on top of the local code.
View full Santa Rosa rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Petaluma | Santa Rosa |
|---|---|---|
| State Statute | PRC §4291 | - |
| Construction Standard | CBC Chapter 7A | - |
| Annual Inspection | By Fire Prevention Bureau | - |
| Defensible space (state) | - | 100 ft (PRC Section 4291) |
| SRA construction standard | - | Fire Code Section 4905.4 |
| Post-fire cleanup | - | 10 days after notice (Section 311.3.1) |
| Cost recovery | - | Fire Code Section 107.6; HSC Section 13009 |
| Daily-offense rule | - | Each day = separate violation |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Petaluma FAQ
Where can I check if my parcel is in a FHSZ?
CAL FIRE maintains the official map at osfm.fire.ca.gov; the City Fire Bureau can confirm.
Santa Rosa FAQ
How much clearance do I need around my house?
California Public Resources Code Section 4291 requires 100 ft of defensible space around structures in State Responsibility Areas (a 30-ft 'lean, clean, and green' zone plus a 70-ft 'reduced fuel' zone). Much of unincorporated Sonoma County is SRA — check Cal Fire's online SRA viewer for your parcel.
Do I have to use special building materials in fire-prone areas?
Yes. Fire Code Section 4905.4 (Ord. 2023-01) requires exterior walls, openings, and penetrations on parcels in SRAs to meet the fire-resistance ratings in Table 4905.4(a) or (b) and Title 14 CCR SRA Fire Safe Regulations. The exact rating depends on sprinkler protection and the fire-separation distance from the property line.
What do I have to clean up after a fire on my property?
Under Fire Code Section 311.3.1 (Ord. 2023-01), all rubble, waste, rubbish, and other materials rendered useless by a fire must be removed within 10 days of written notice from the Fire Chief, or the property owner faces enforcement under Section 112.4.
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