Antioch, CA Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)

California Public Resources Code 4291 requires property owners in designated Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) to maintain 100 feet of defensible space around all structures. Zone 1 (0-30 feet) requires lean, clean, and green conditions: no dead vegetation, grass cut to 4 inches or less, tree canopies trimmed 10 feet above the ground, and woodpiles moved away from structures. Zone 2 (30-100 feet) requires reduced fuel with horizontal and vertical spacing between trees and shrubs. While much of Antioch sits in the Local Responsibility Area (LRA) with moderate FHSZ classification, the city's eastern, southern, and hillside neighborhoods adjoining Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve, Deer Valley, and the Roddy Ranch area contain High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones per CAL FIRE's 2022 FHSZ maps adopted by the city. The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (CCCFPD) performs annual exterior hazard inspections each spring and summer, issuing notices of violation requiring abatement within 30 days. If an owner fails to abate, CCCFPD may perform the work and place a lien for costs plus administrative fees (typically $500-$2,500 per parcel). During Red Flag Warnings, additional restrictions on equipment use (mowers, weed whackers after 10 AM) apply. Owners should consult the CAL FIRE FHSZ viewer to confirm their parcel status.