Properties in mapped Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones must maintain 100 feet of defensible space under California PRC Β§4291 and LACo Fire Code Title 32 Β§4906, with annual LACoFD Forestry Division inspections in Malibu, Topanga, Altadena, and Antelope Valley foothills.
California Public Resources Code Β§4291 mandates 100 feet of defensible space around structures in State Responsibility and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, broken into Zone 0 (0β5 ft, ember-resistant), Zone 1 (5β30 ft, lean-clean-green), and Zone 2 (30β100 ft, reduced fuel). LA County Fire Code Title 32 Β§4906 incorporates and locally enforces these standards through the LACoFD Forestry Division's Brush Clearance Unit. Inspectors run an annual cycle each spring, mailing notices to roughly 70,000 hillside parcels in unincorporated areas and contract cities. Owners must remove dead vegetation, prune trees six feet from chimneys, clear roofs and gutters, and limit ornamental plantings within five feet of walls.
Non-compliance after a 30-day notice triggers force-clearance by county contractors at owner cost, plus a property-tax lien. Administrative fines reach $500 per violation and $1,000 for repeat offenders.
Long Beach, CA
Properties in Long Beach fire hazard zones must maintain 100 ft of defensible space per CA PRC Β§4291. Zone 1 (0-30 ft) requires lean, clean, green landscapin...
Long Beach, CA
Long Beach encourages native and drought-tolerant plants. The Lawn-to-Garden program pays $3/sq ft (up to 5,000 sq ft) for lawn removal, requiring 65% plant ...
Long Beach, CA
Long Beach has limited wildfire risk as a coastal/urban city. Some hillside areas near Signal Hill may fall in fire hazard severity zones. Properties in SRA ...
See how Long Beach's defensible space rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.