Yucaipa, CA Environmental Rules: Defensible Space (2026)

The City of Yucaipa handles fire clearance through the Fire Safety (FR) Overlay District in Development Code § 85.020220, and the rule is aimed at development projects. Under (c)(4)(A), a permanent fuel modification area can be required around a project, or part of one, that is adjacent or exposed to hazardous fire areas. The recommended width is set by the responsible Fire Authority together with the County Fire Warden, and in no case is it less than 100 feet as measured from the development perimeter. The width rests on five factors: the natural ungraded slope within and next to the project, fuel loading, access to the project and direct access to the fuel-modified area, on-site water for firefighting, and provisions for continual maintenance. Where feasible, such areas are designated common open space rather than private open space, and they must incorporate soil erosion and sediment control.

Phased projects have their own rule. Under (c)(4)(B), an individual phase can be required to provide a temporary fuel modification area where its perimeter touches a later phase that is still a hazardous fire area. Slopes get separate treatment under (a)(9)(A): where structures are proposed within 200 feet of slopes greater than 30% that are at least 30 feet in height, the vegetation must be treated into a fuel modified area, maintained for the entire slope, 100 feet, or to the property line, whichever distance is less. Item (a)(10) requires firewood and other flammable materials to be stored at least 30 feet from all structures or wholly enclosed within a structure.

Municipal Code § 15.04.085 carries the same 100-foot minimum into the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code as Section 602.3.3, which calls for a final fire protection plan. The text quoted here regulates development projects; this page does not describe a separate annual clearance duty for existing homeowners, which the quoted provision does not address.