Properties in the Berkeley Hills VHFHSZ must maintain 100 feet of defensible space per PRC 4291. Berkeley Fire runs annual inspections and non-compliance triggers abatement at owner cost.
Berkeley rigorously enforces California Public Resources Code Section 4291, requiring 100 feet of defensible space around every structure in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Zone 0 (0-5 feet) must be ember-resistant with no combustible material against the home, Zone 1 (5-30 feet) requires lean, clean and green landscaping with trimmed trees and no ladder fuels, and Zone 2 (30-100 feet) requires reduced fuels with grass under 4 inches and 10-foot spacing between shrub clusters. The Berkeley Fire Department Vegetation Management Unit conducts annual inspections beginning in April under BMC Chapter 19.48 and issues Notices to Abate. Owners have 30 days to comply or BFD contracts abatement and bills the property, typically 2,000 to 10,000 dollars plus administrative fees. Chipper days and curbside pickup assist residents. Post-fire, AB 3074 added the Zone 0 ember-resistant requirement phased in statewide. Contact BFD at (510) 981-2489.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Berkeley, CA
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Berkeley, CA
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Berkeley, CA
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Berkeley, CA
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Berkeley, CA
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Berkeley, CA
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