Rohnert Park, CA Environmental Rules: Defensible Space (2026)

2 to the 2025 California Fire Code as adopted in Rohnert Park, creating a local defensible space rule keyed to neighboring structures rather than only to a parcel's own building. Anyone who owns, leases or controls property within an area that requires defensible space must maintain a defensible space of at least 30 feet measured from any neighboring building or structure, not just from their own. The fire code official can shorten or lengthen that 30-foot distance after a site-specific analysis of local conditions, such as slope, vegetation type or fuel load on the parcel.

1's hazardous vegetation and fuel management program, which the Department of Public Safety enforces through an annual inspection of every vacant parcel before July 1 and a second round by September 1, sending written notice of hazards found and abating unresolved ones at the property owner's expense. Because the rule is tied to protecting a neighboring structure, a corner lot or a property backing onto open space can face defensible space obligations even where its own structure sits well inside the parcel.