Sierra County, CA Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)

Defensible space is one of the most important fire rules in Sierra County. Under California Public Resources Code (PRC) 4291, a person who owns, leases, controls, operates, or maintains a building or structure in a State Responsibility Area must maintain defensible space of 100 feet from each side and from the front and rear of the structure (but not beyond the property line). CAL FIRE divides this into zones: an ember-resistant zone within 5 feet of the structure (Zone 0), more intense fuel reduction between 5 and 30 feet (Zone 1), and reduced/spaced fuel from 30 to 100 feet (Zone 2). The law also requires removing the portion of any tree within 10 feet of a chimney or stovepipe outlet, keeping trees and shrubs adjacent to or overhanging a building free of dead or dying wood, and keeping the roof clear of leaves, needles, and other vegetative debris. Homes in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones must maintain at least 100 feet of defensible space. CAL FIRE (Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit) conducts defensible-space inspections in Sierra County and can issue notices and citations for non-compliance. Beyond defensible space, the Sierra County Code's public-nuisance provisions (Chapter 8.20) allow the county to abate conditions injurious to health or safety. A greater clearance distance may be required by local rule, so owners should confirm current requirements with CAL FIRE or the county.