Wildfire Zones: San Jose vs Santa Clara
How do wildfire zones rules compare between San Jose, CA and Santa Clara, CA?
Santa Clara has fewer restrictions than San Jose.
San Jose, CA
Santa Clara County
Cal Fire maps significant portions of eastern and southern San Jose as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, including Alum Rock, East Foothills, Evergreen, Silver Creek, and Almaden Valley rims. Homes in these zones face stricter building codes, defensible space inspections, insurance scrutiny, and AB 38 disclosure requirements on sale.
View full San Jose rules →Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara County
Santa Clara is largely not mapped in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, but adjacent foothill communities are. Check the CAL FIRE map before building or landscaping near open space.
View full Santa Clara rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | San Jose | Santa Clara |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | |
| City core zone | - | Not mapped VHFHSZ |
| Nearby foothills | - | Moderate to Very High |
| Chapter 7A | - | Ignition-resistant materials in VHFHSZ |
| Defensible space | - | 100 ft PRC 4291 where applicable |
| Map authority | - | CAL FIRE Office of State Fire Marshal |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
San Jose FAQ
Santa Clara FAQ
Do I need fire-resistant siding in Santa Clara?
Only if your parcel is in or near a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Most valley-floor Santa Clara homes are exempt from Chapter 7A.
How do I check my fire zone?
Use the CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone viewer and enter your address to see the official designation.
Compare other topics
See how San Jose and Santa Clara compare on other ordinance categories.
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