Properties in Oakland Hills Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone must maintain 100 feet of defensible space, clearing brush, trimming trees, and removing combustible debris under PRC 4291 and Oakland Fire Code amendments after the 1991 firestorm.
After the 1991 Oakland Hills firestorm killed 25 people and destroyed 3,000 homes, Oakland enforced strict vegetation management in the Wildland-Urban Interface zone. Owners must clear flammable vegetation 0-30 feet around structures (Zone 1) and reduce fuels 30-100 feet out (Zone 2). Trees within 10 feet of chimneys must be limbed. The Oakland Vegetation Management Plan and annual inspections enforce compliance. The Wildfire Prevention Assessment District (Measure Q, 2004, renewed) funds inspections and goat grazing on city land.
Non-compliance triggers warning, abatement order, then forced city clearance billed to owner plus fines up to 1,000 dollars per parcel; repeat violators may face liens.
Oakland, CA
Oakland provides enhanced protection for heritage and significant trees under the Protected Tree Ordinance. Coast live oaks receive species-level protection ...
Oakland, CA
Properties in Oakland's Wildfire Prevention Assessment District and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone must maintain 100 feet of defensible space under Cali...
Oakland, CA
Most of the Oakland Hills east of Highway 13 and 580 is mapped by CAL FIRE as a Local Responsibility Area Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Properties in ...
See how Oakland's defensible space rules stack up against other locations.
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