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Santa Clara County Environmental Rules: Defensible Space Rules (2026)

Heavy Restrictions

Verified today|Source: California PRC §4291 — Defensible Space →

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These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Key Facts

Clearance distance: 100 feet around structures
Code authority: CA PRC §4291
Inspector: CalFire CZU and SCCFD

Summary

Properties in CalFire State Responsibility Area and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones must maintain 100 feet of defensible space under California PRC §4291. Santa Clara County FireSafe Council and CalFire enforce in foothill unincorporated communities like Saratoga Hills, Los Altos Hills, and Mount Hamilton.

Full Breakdown

California Public Resources Code §4291 requires 100 feet of defensible space around structures in State Responsibility Areas and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, divided into Zone 0 (0-5 feet, ember-resistant), Zone 1 (5-30 feet, lean and green), and Zone 2 (30-100 feet, reduced fuel). CalFire Santa Clara Unit (CZU) inspects unincorporated foothill parcels above Saratoga, Los Gatos, Cupertino, and Mount Hamilton. The Santa Clara County FireSafe Council coordinates outreach, chipper days, and shaded-fuel-break grants. Owners must remove dead vegetation, prune limbs six feet above the ground, clear roofs and gutters, and limit ornamental plantings within five feet of walls. Santa Clara County Fire Department serves western foothills under contract.

Violations & Fines

Failure to comply after a 30-day notice triggers force-clearance by CalFire-contracted crews at owner cost, plus a tax-roll lien. Administrative fines start at $100 and escalate to $500 per violation; repeat offenders face misdemeanor citation under PRC §4291.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my Santa Clara County property in a Fire Hazard Severity Zone?

Check the CalFire FHSZ Viewer by address. Most foothill unincorporated areas — Saratoga Hills, Los Altos Hills, Mount Hamilton, New Almaden — fall in Very High zones. Valley flatland parcels typically do not.

Who inspects my parcel — CalFire or county fire?

CalFire CZU inspects State Responsibility Area parcels in unincorporated foothills. Santa Clara County Fire Department covers Local Responsibility Area parcels under its service-area contract with western cities. Both follow PRC §4291 standards.

Can I appeal a clearance notice?

Yes. File written appeal within 15 days to the inspecting agency. Inspectors reinspect, may approve native landscape plans meeting intent, or grant short hardship extensions before force-clearance proceeds.

How does Santa Clara County compare?

See how Santa Clara County's defensible space rules stack up against other locations.

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Santa Clara County Environmental Rules: Defensible Space Rules (2026)

Key Facts

Summary

Full Breakdown

Violations & Fines

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources & Official References

Related Ordinances in Santa Clara County

Landscaping Rules: Native Plants

Fire Regulations: Wildfire Zones

Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance

More Environmental Rules in Santa Clara County

Defensible Space in Other Cities

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