Brush Clearance: Santa Rosa vs Sonoma
How do brush clearance rules compare between Santa Rosa, CA and Sonoma, CA?
Santa Rosa and Sonoma have similar restriction levels.
Santa Rosa, CA
Sonoma County
Sonoma County Code Chapter 13A (the Hazardous Vegetation Abatement Ordinance, Ord. 6148) requires every improved parcel in the unincorporated county - and every unimproved parcel inside a State or Local Responsibility Area - to maintain 100 feet of defensible space around structures, plus 10 feet of clearance along roads and driveways. Annual inspections begin in late spring, with about 4,000 properties checked each year. Failure to comply triggers re-inspection fees, county-contracted abatement billed to the owner, and recordation of a lien against the property.
View full Santa Rosa rules →Sonoma, CA
Sonoma County
Sonoma County Code Chapter 13A (the Hazardous Vegetation Abatement Ordinance, Ord. 6148) requires every improved parcel in the unincorporated county - and every unimproved parcel inside a State or Local Responsibility Area - to maintain 100 feet of defensible space around structures, plus 10 feet of clearance along roads and driveways. Annual inspections begin in late spring, with about 4,000 properties checked each year. Failure to comply triggers re-inspection fees, county-contracted abatement billed to the owner, and recordation of a lien against the property.
View full Sonoma rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Santa Rosa | Sonoma |
|---|---|---|
| Local Code | Sonoma County Code Chapter 13A (Ord. 6148) | Sonoma County Code Chapter 13A (Ord. 6148) |
| State Law | PRC Section 4291; 14 CCR 1299.01-1299.05 | PRC Section 4291; 14 CCR 1299.01-1299.05 |
| Zone 1 (Lean, Clean, Green) | 0-30 ft from structures | 0-30 ft from structures |
| Zone 2 (Reduced Fuels) | 30-100 ft from structures | 30-100 ft from structures |
| Road/Driveway Clearance | 10 ft horizontal, 13 ft 6 in vertical | 10 ft horizontal, 13 ft 6 in vertical |
| First-Failure Cure Period | 30 calendar days | 30 calendar days |
| Second-Failure Window | 15 calendar days to fix or appeal | 15 calendar days to fix or appeal |
| Annual Inspections | ~4,000 properties (Permit Sonoma) | ~4,000 properties (Permit Sonoma) |
| Non-compliance Result | County abatement billed + lien on property | County abatement billed + lien on property |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Santa Rosa FAQ
How much defensible space do I have to maintain in Sonoma County?
Chapter 13A requires 100 feet of defensible space around every structure (or to the property line, whichever is closer), divided into a 0-30 ft 'lean, clean and green' zone and a 30-100 ft 'reduced fuels' zone. Driveways and county roads need 10 feet of horizontal vegetation clearance and 13 feet 6 inches overhead.
What happens if I fail a Sonoma County hazardous-vegetation inspection?
You receive a written notice and 30 calendar days to comply. If a re-inspection also fails, you have 15 more days to abate or to request a written hearing. After that, the County can contract the work and bill you - unpaid charges become a tax-roll lien against your parcel under Chapter 13A and Government Code 39581.
Does Chapter 13A apply to vacant land in Sonoma County?
Yes. The ordinance applies to all improved parcels in the unincorporated county and to unimproved parcels located inside State Responsibility Areas (SRA) or Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) designated as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Annual or as-needed mowing of grasses below 4 inches is typically required.
Sonoma FAQ
How much defensible space do I have to maintain in Sonoma County?
Chapter 13A requires 100 feet of defensible space around every structure (or to the property line, whichever is closer), divided into a 0-30 ft 'lean, clean and green' zone and a 30-100 ft 'reduced fuels' zone. Driveways and county roads need 10 feet of horizontal vegetation clearance and 13 feet 6 inches overhead.
What happens if I fail a Sonoma County hazardous-vegetation inspection?
You receive a written notice and 30 calendar days to comply. If a re-inspection also fails, you have 15 more days to abate or to request a written hearing. After that, the County can contract the work and bill you - unpaid charges become a tax-roll lien against your parcel under Chapter 13A and Government Code 39581.
Does Chapter 13A apply to vacant land in Sonoma County?
Yes. The ordinance applies to all improved parcels in the unincorporated county and to unimproved parcels located inside State Responsibility Areas (SRA) or Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) designated as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Annual or as-needed mowing of grasses below 4 inches is typically required.
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