Brush Clearance: San Bernardino vs Victorville
How do brush clearance rules compare between San Bernardino, CA and Victorville, CA?
San Bernardino and Victorville have similar restriction levels.
San Bernardino, CA
San Bernardino County
Foothill Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone properties must maintain 100 feet of defensible space under California PRC 4291. San Bernardino County Fire conducts annual hazard inspections each spring.
View full San Bernardino rules →Victorville, CA
San Bernardino County
Victorville requires owners to keep lots free of dry weeds, brush, tumbleweeds, and rubbish under VMC nuisance rules and CA H and S 14875. High Desert parcels near hills require 100-foot defensible space under PRC 4291.
View full Victorville rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | San Bernardino | Victorville |
|---|---|---|
| Legal authority | California PRC 4291 defensible space law | - |
| Clearance distance | 100 ft around structures in VHFHSZ areas | - |
| Zone 0 rule | 0 to 5 ft ember-resistant zone required under AB 3074 | - |
| Inspection window | Annual hazard inspections April through June | - |
| Non-compliance | County abates and liens property for work plus admin fees | - |
| State authority | - | CA H and S 14875-14922 and PRC 4291 |
| Defensible space | - | 100 feet near VHFHSZ |
| Tumbleweeds | - | Specifically cited as fuel |
| Abatement fees | - | Billed to owner plus admin cost |
| Enforcement | - | Code Enforcement (760) 955-5104 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
San Bernardino FAQ
Do all San Bernardino properties need 100-foot clearance?
Only parcels inside or within 100 ft of state-mapped VHFHSZ or Local Responsibility Area high-fire zones, primarily the foothills and wildland interface.
What is Zone 0 and when does it apply?
Zone 0 is the five-foot ember-resistant perimeter required by AB 3074; it prohibits combustibles like wood mulch, wood fencing, and stored firewood touching the house.
What happens if I miss the inspection deadline?
San Bernardino County Fire issues a Notice to Abate. If you do not clear the hazard, the county performs the work and bills you through a property lien.
Victorville FAQ
Do I need 100-foot defensible space in Victorville?
If your parcel touches or sits inside a CAL FIRE Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (common along the north and east foothills), yes under PRC 4291. Valley-floor parcels still need weed and tumbleweed abatement.
Who handles tumbleweeds that blow in from a neighbor's vacant lot?
The owner of the parcel where the tumbleweeds accumulate is responsible for removal. You can also file a complaint against the source lot through Victorville Code Enforcement.
Compare other topics
See how San Bernardino and Victorville compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool