Pasadena, CA Environmental Rules: Defensible Space (2026)

Chapter 14.29 of the Pasadena Municipal Code, adopted in 1991 and separate from the state defensible-space statute, sets its own local vegetation-clearance standards enforced directly by the Pasadena Fire Department. Section 14.29.040 prohibits any flammable weeds, trees or vegetation within 100 feet of a building or structure, requires the above-ground portion of such growth to be removed while leaving root systems intact for erosion control, and limits grass or weeds that could become flammable to 18 inches in height within 30 feet of a structure. Trees over 6 feet tall within 30 feet of a building, or within 10 feet of a curb, must be limbed up so no foliage sits within 3 feet of the ground, and a 5-foot vertical clearance must separate any roof from overhanging branches. Vegetation within 10 feet of a chimney outlet or a combustible fence is also prohibited.

The fire department inspects properties on its own resource schedule and charges a $61.00 fee for each inspection under Section 14.29.060, though the fee is waived if no violation is found or if any violation is fully corrected within 30 days of written notice. A second inspection triggers an added $298.00 reinspection fee covering two follow-up visits, evidentiary photography, and misdemeanor-charge processing, and each additional reinspection beyond that costs $142.00. The fire chief can impose stricter standards on a specific property when the baseline rules would not sufficiently prevent fire spread, but the owner has 10 days to appeal that finding to the code enforcement appeals commission.