Westminster, CA Environmental Rules: Defensible Space (2026)

040, mandates that 'all new structures and facilities adjoining land containing hazardous combustible vegetation shall be approved and in accordance with the requirements of OCFA Guideline C-05,' the Orange County Fire Authority's design standard for new-construction fuel modification plans and maintenance programs. That guideline sets the fuel modification zone width, plant spacing and irrigation a builder must show on plans before the Building Department signs off. 3 backs the zone with a standing duty on every owner or occupant to cut down and remove weeds, grass, vines or other ignitable growth that endangers property, and ties clearance in wildland-urban interface areas to Part 7 of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code.

Section 325 gives the fire code official authority to clear flammable vegetation and combustible growth within 10 feet of each side of any street or private road used for vehicular traffic, measured from the flowline or improved edge, though single ornamental trees, shrubs and ground covers like ivy or succulents are exempt if they will not readily transmit fire. Section 326 lets the fire code official suspend or modify these clearance duties and substitute reasonable alternative measures where terrain is difficult, erosion risk is high, or other unusual circumstances make strict compliance impractical. These provisions were added by Ordinance 2629, adopted November 12, 2025, as part of the city's adoption of the 2025 California Fire Code.