Tuolumne County Backyard Fire Regulations Rules (2026) — What You Need to Know
Heavy RestrictionsKey Facts
- Zone 0 (Ember-Resistant)
- 0–5 feet from structures
- Zone 1 (Lean/Clean/Green)
- 5–30 feet — remove dead vegetation
- Zone 2 (Reduced Fuel)
- 30–100 feet — grass max 4 inches
- Tree Branch Clearance
- 10 ft from chimney, 10 ft between canopies
- Local Ordinance
- Chapter 8.14 — Hazardous Vegetation Management
- Fire Prevention Contact
- (209) 533-5502
The Short Version
Tuolumne County enforces strict defensible space requirements under both California Public Resources Code 4291 and its own Chapter 8.14 (Hazardous Vegetation Management). Property owners must maintain three defensible space zones around structures: Zone 0 (0–5 ft) is an ember-resistant area, Zone 1 (5–30 ft) requires removing dead vegetation and trimming trees, and Zone 2 (30–100 ft) requires grass cut to 4 inches and horizontal spacing between plants. Chapter 8.14 extends vegetation maintenance requirements to over 7,000 vacant and undeveloped parcels adjacent to roads.
Full Breakdown
Living in Tuolumne County means living in wildfire country. The county sits in the Sierra Nevada foothills where the Rim Fire (2013) burned over 257,000 acres, making defensible space a life-safety issue, not just a code requirement.
California PRC 4291 requires all property owners in State Responsibility Areas (which covers most of Tuolumne County) to maintain defensible space in three zones. Zone 0, from 0 to 5 feet around your home, must be an ember-resistant area — no combustible materials, bark mulch, or dead vegetation. Zone 1, from 5 to 30 feet, requires removing all dead plants, grass, and weeds; trimming tree branches at least 10 feet from your chimney or roof and maintaining 10 feet of spacing between tree canopies; and keeping dead leaves cleared from your roof and gutters. Zone 2, from 30 to 100 feet, requires cutting grass to a maximum of 4 inches, creating horizontal spacing between shrubs and trees, and clearing all dead vegetation and fallen leaves.
Tuolumne County goes further than state law with Chapter 8.14 (Hazardous Vegetation Management), which extends vegetation maintenance requirements to undeveloped and vacant parcels adjacent to roads, driveways, and road easements. Over 7,000 vacant properties in the county are subject to these rules. The Fire Prevention Division at (209) 533-5502 enforces these requirements.
What Happens If You Violate This?
Violations of Chapter 8.14 are enforced under Chapter 1.10 (Code Compliance). Property owners receive a notice and opportunity to correct. If vegetation is not cleared, the county can abate the hazard and place a lien on the property for costs. CAL FIRE can also issue citations under PRC 4291 with fines. During declared fire emergencies, enforcement is accelerated.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far from my house do I need to clear vegetation?
Do I have to maintain vegetation on vacant land?
Who enforces defensible space in Tuolumne County?
Sources & Official References
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