Menifee, CA Environmental Rules: Defensible Space (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum firebreak
- 100 feet from the structure
- Governing section
- MMC § 8.21.110
- Retrofit window
- 2 to 4 years after notice
- Adopting ordinance
- Ord. 2025-425, passed 11-19-2025
- Enforcing official
- City of Menifee Fire Code Official
- Penalty basis
- H&S Code §§ 17995-17995.5, Gov't Code § 51182
Summary
Menifee's Wildland-Urban Interface Code requires every owner of a building in a Fire Hazard Severity Zone to keep a firebreak clear of combustible material for at least 100 feet from the structure under Municipal Code Section 8.21.110. The Fire Code Official can widen that distance after a site-specific review or Fire Protection Plan, and can order older properties retrofitted to the new standard.
604.7.1 Structures. Any person owning, leasing, controlling, operating, or maintaining any Building or structure in, upon, or adjoining any FHSZ, governed by this section, and any person owning, leasing, or controlling any land adjacent to such Buildings, shall at all times maintain around and adjacent to such Building, an effective firebreak made by removing and clearing away, all combustible material on their property for a distance not less than 100 feet from all portions of the Building. Distances may be increased by the Fire Code Official due to a site-specific analysis based on local conditions and when required, based on a Fire Protection Plan.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-15: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ordinance 2026-432, passed 4-15-2026).
Full Breakdown
070 following the State Fire Marshal's recommendations. 07. 1 sets the baseline structural firebreak at 100 feet, removable only where the Fire Code Official finds a single specimen tree or well-pruned ornamental landscaping does not transmit fire. 1 gives property owners with an existing, non-conforming defensible space or fuel modification zone a two- to four-year retrofit window once the Fire Code Official notifies them, and lets an owner submit a compliance plan for review. 5, and Government Code Section 51185. 040(B) additionally lets the Fire Department bill a violator directly for the City's inspection, enforcement, investigation, and emergency-response costs as a collectible debt.
Violations & Fines
Failing to maintain the required firebreak or a Fire Code Official-ordered retrofit is unlawful under Section 8.21.050 (replacing WUI Code Section 109.3.7), punishable per the Menifee Municipal Code plus Health and Safety Code Sections 17995-17995.5 and Government Code Section 51185. The Fire Department may also recover its inspection, investigation, and response costs from the violator as a debt under Section 8.21.040(B).
Frequently Asked Questions
How far do I have to clear brush around my house in Menifee?
Can Menifee require more than 100 feet of clearance?
What if my property doesn't currently meet the new defensible space rule?
What happens if I ignore a defensible space violation notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Menifee
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