Properties in mapped Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones must maintain 100 feet of defensible space under California PRC §4291 and LACo Fire Code Title 32 §4906, with annual LACoFD Forestry Division inspections in Malibu, Topanga, Altadena, and Antelope Valley foothills.
California Public Resources Code §4291 mandates 100 feet of defensible space around structures in State Responsibility and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, broken into Zone 0 (0–5 ft, ember-resistant), Zone 1 (5–30 ft, lean-clean-green), and Zone 2 (30–100 ft, reduced fuel). LA County Fire Code Title 32 §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.
Los Angeles County, CA
Brush clearance is critical in unincorporated LA County, which includes extensive wildfire-prone areas. LA County Fire Department requires 200 ft vegetation ...
Los Angeles County, CA
Native and drought-tolerant landscaping is encouraged in unincorporated LA County per MWELO and state water conservation mandates. CA Gov Code 65595 prohibit...
Los Angeles County, CA
Large portions of unincorporated LA County are designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ), including Altadena, Topanga, and mountain communitie...
See how Los Angeles County's defensible space rules stack up against other locations.
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