California Public Resources Code §4291 requires 100 feet of defensible space around structures in wildland fire areas. San Diego enforces this in Tierrasanta, Mira Mesa hillsides, Rancho Penasquitos, and other very-high fire hazard zones.
Under PRC §4291, owners of structures in or adjacent to State Responsibility Areas and Local Responsibility Area very-high fire hazard severity zones must clear flammable vegetation up to 100 feet from each structure. Zone 0 is a five-foot ember-resistant area kept free of mulch, vegetation, and combustible materials. Zone 1, from five to thirty feet, requires lean and clean landscape with horizontal and vertical separation. Zone 2, from thirty to one hundred feet, requires reduced fuel and removal of dead vegetation. San Diego Fire-Rescue conducts annual brush inspections in Tierrasanta, Mira Mesa, Rancho Penasquitos, Scripps Ranch, and other canyon-adjacent neighborhoods, issuing notices of correction.
Failure to comply triggers warning notices, abatement by city contractor at owner expense, administrative liens, and misdemeanor charges under Health and Safety Code §13007. Insurance companies may also non-renew policies for properties without compliant clearance.
San Diego, CA
San Diego requires 100 feet of defensible space around all structures in Very High Fire Severity Zones under SDMC 142.0412. Three fuel modification zones app...
San Diego, CA
San Diego has extensive Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) due to its canyon-rim topography and Santa Ana wind exposure. SDMC §142.0412 establishe...
See how San Diego's defensible space rules stack up against other locations.
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