Brush Clearance: Simi Valley vs Ventura
How do brush clearance rules compare between Simi Valley, CA and Ventura, CA?
Simi Valley and Ventura have similar restriction levels.
Simi Valley, CA
Ventura County
Simi Valley requires property owners to maintain defensible space and clear brush within prescribed distances from structures. The Ventura County Fire Protection District enforces vegetation management standards critical to the city's wildfire-prone landscape.
View full Simi Valley rules →Ventura, CA
Ventura County
Property owners within Ventura's High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones must MAINTAIN (not clear-cut) 100 ft of defensible space around structures by June 1 each year, under the City's Fire Hazard Reduction Program (FHRP) and Public Resources Code §4291. All dead and dying vegetation must be removed per California Fire Code standards. The program is authorized by California Fire Code, California Government Code, California Public Resources Code, and the Natural Resources Code. Annual billing was cancelled in December 2022 — there is no longer a program fee — but the maintenance obligation and inspection process continue.
View full Ventura rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Simi Valley | Ventura |
|---|---|---|
| Defensible Space | 100 feet from structures | - |
| Zone 1 | 0-30 feet, aggressive clearance | - |
| Grass Height Limit | Under 4 inches in Zone 1 | - |
| Annual Inspections | Spring, compliance by June | - |
| Defensible space distance | - | 100 ft of MAINTAINED vegetation around structures |
| Annual deadline | - | June 1 |
| Who must comply | - | Parcels in High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones |
| Program fee | - | None — billing cancelled December 2022 |
| Statutory basis | - | PRC §4291; Gov. Code §51182; CFC Ch. 49 |
| Contact | - | Fire Prevention 805-339-4347 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Simi Valley FAQ
How much brush clearance is required in Simi Valley?
Property owners must maintain 100 feet of defensible space around structures. Zone 1 (0-30 feet) requires aggressive vegetation removal, and Zone 2 (30-100 feet) requires 50% fuel reduction.
When are brush clearance inspections in Simi Valley?
Ventura County Fire conducts annual inspections beginning in spring. Property owners typically must achieve compliance by early June before peak fire season.
What happens if I do not clear my brush?
After notice, the fire district may clear the vegetation and bill you for the work plus administrative fees. Fines and property liens may also be imposed for non-compliance.
Ventura FAQ
Do I need to clear ALL vegetation within 100 ft?
No. The City emphasizes maintenance, not clearance. You must remove dead/dying vegetation, thin and prune live vegetation, separate fuel groups, and clear flammable debris (Zone 0: 0–5 ft ember-resistant; Zone 1: 5–30 ft lean/clean; Zone 2: 30–100 ft reduced fuel). Bare-soil clearing causes erosion and is not the standard.
What if my property is not in a fire hazard zone?
PRC §4291 still applies to parcels in State Responsibility Areas. Inside city limits, the FHRP applies only to mapped High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones — check the City's interactive hazard zone map.
Will I be billed for the inspection?
No. The City cancelled the FHRP billing program in December 2022 and refunded prior fees. Compliance inspections continue at no cost.
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