Wildfire Zones: Rohnert Park vs Sonoma
How do wildfire zones rules compare between Rohnert Park, CA and Sonoma, CA?
Rohnert Park and Sonoma have similar restriction levels.
Rohnert Park, 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 Rohnert Park rules →Sonoma, CA
Sonoma County
The City of Sonoma adopted CAL FIRE's updated Local Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) map on May 7, 2025, designating portions of the city as Moderate, High, and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. New construction and major remodels in High and Very High zones must meet California Building Code Chapter 7A Wildland-Urban Interface ignition-resistant standards.
View full Sonoma rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Rohnert Park | Sonoma |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | - |
| FHSZ statute | - | Cal. Gov. Code §51178–51179 |
| Current LRA map adopted | - | May 7, 2025 (City Council ordinance) |
| Zones in City of Sonoma | - | Moderate, High, and Very High FHSZ |
| WUI building standards | - | California Building Code Chapter 7A |
| Real-estate disclosure required | - | Yes – Cal. Civ. Code §1103 |
| New CWUIC effective | - | January 1, 2026 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Rohnert Park 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.
Sonoma FAQ
How do I find out what fire hazard zone my Sonoma property is in?
Use the Sonoma Valley Fire District's Fire Hazard Severity Zone Viewer or CAL FIRE's statewide FHSZ map. The City Council adopted the updated LRA map on May 7, 2025; portions of Sonoma are classified Moderate, High, and Very High FHSZ.
Do I have to use ignition-resistant building materials?
If your property is in a High or Very High FHSZ and you're building new or doing a major remodel, yes — California Building Code Chapter 7A requires Class A roofing, ember-resistant vents, enclosed eaves, dual-paned tempered windows, and other ignition-resistant materials. Existing buildings are not required to retrofit, but defensible space (PRC §4291) and home hardening are strongly encouraged.
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