Chino, CA Environmental Rules: Defensible Space (2026)
Key Facts
- Fuel modification zone
- 100 ft minimum
- Firewood clearance
- 20 ft from structures
- Tree crown separation
- 15 ft
- Adopted
- Ord. 2022-015, 7-19-2022
Summary
Chino's Fire Code requires new wildland-urban-interface development to maintain a minimum 100-foot fuel modification zone and keeps firewood and combustible storage at least 20 feet from structures, enforced by the fire code official with abatement and lien authority.
4906.7 Storage of firewood and combustible materials. Firewood and combustible material shall not be stored in unenclosed spaces beneath buildings or structures, or on decks or under eaves, canopies or other projections or overhangs. When required by the fire code official, storage of firewood and combustible material stored in the defensible space shall be located a minimum of twenty feet (6096 mm) from structures and separated from the crown of trees by a minimum horizontal distance of fifteen feet (4572 mm).
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 38).
Full Breakdown
Chino Municipal Code § 15.32.320, adopted by Ord. 2022-015 (7-19-2022), adds Sections 4906.3.1 through 4906.7 to the California Fire Code. New buildings in a wildland-urban interface area must provide an approved fuel modification area of at least 100 feet from each structure, with plans reviewed and a permit issued by the fire district before final approval. Firewood and combustible materials stored in the defensible space must sit at least 20 feet from any structure and 15 feet from the crown of trees. Hazardous vegetation that accumulates and creates a fire hazard can trigger a notice of violation or notice to destroy from the fire code official.
Violations & Fines
Fire code official may issue a notice of violation or notice to destroy for uncorrected hazardous vegetation/fuels; unresolved cases let the fire district abate the hazard and place a lien on the property for the cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Chino require defensible space clearance around homes?
What happens if hazardous vegetation isn't cleared?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chino
California rules heatmap·Compare Chino to another location·View the California environmental rules overview
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Defensible Space in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle defensible space.