Austin Fire Department enforces the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Code adopted in 2020 requiring defensible space around homes in designated WUI zones, primarily in West Austin hills. Property owners must maintain 30 to 100 feet of cleared space and follow state Property Code guidelines.
The Austin Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Code, part of the International WUI Code with local amendments, requires defensible space in designated WUI neighborhoods including the Westlake, Lost Creek, Barton Creek Wilderness, West Lake Hills boundary (city-limits portions), Jester, and Lakewood areas. Zone 1 (0–30 feet from structures): lean, clean, and green — no combustible mulch within 5 feet of siding, no firewood stacked against walls, pruned branches at least 10 feet from chimneys. Zone 2 (30–100 feet or to property line): thinned trees with 10-foot crown separation, grass cut to 4 inches, ladder fuels removed. AFD Wildfire Division conducts free home assessments and enforces via Chapter 6-1 of City Code. Texas Agriculture Code allows agricultural burning with Travis County burn ban exemptions (rarely granted), but structure-adjacent burning requires AFD permit. The 2011 Bastrop Complex Fire and 2018 Steiner Ranch fire prompted Austin's updated WUI mapping. Non-compliance triggers 30-day notice; unresolved conditions are abated by the city with cost liens.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact Austin code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
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