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San Bernardino County, CA Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)

Heavy Restrictions

Verified 1 month ago|Source: CA PRC 4291 →

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Key Facts

Governing Law: PRC 4291
Total Distance: 100 feet
Zone 0 (0-5 ft): Ember-resistant
Zone 1 (5-30 ft): Lean, clean, green
Zone 2 (30-100 ft)

City-specific rules exist: San Bernardino, Fontana, Victorville, Ontario, and Rancho Cucamonga have their own brush clearance rules that differ from San Bernardino County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

Summary

PRC 4291 requires 100 feet of defensible space around structures in San Bernardino County fire zones. Zone 0 is ember-resistant, Zone 1 is lean/clean/green, Zone 2 is reduced fuel.

Full Breakdown

California Public Resources Code 4291 requires property owners in State Responsibility Area and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones to maintain 100 feet of defensible space around structures. San Bernardino County enforces this through CAL FIRE and the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District. Zone 0 (0-5 feet from structure) must be an ember-resistant buffer with no combustible mulch, plants, wood piles, or combustible fencing. Zone 1 (5-30 feet) must be lean, clean, and green: grass under 4 inches, tree canopies 10 feet apart, no ladder fuels, and all dead vegetation removed. Zone 2 (30-100 feet) requires reduced fuel with grass under 4 inches, horizontal spacing between shrubs (2x shrub height on flat land, more on slopes), and vertical spacing between trees and shrubs (3x shrub height minimum). Annual inspections are conducted between May and October, with Notices of Violation giving 30 days to comply. Additional hazardous fire areas may require clearing beyond 100 feet based on slope and fuel density.

Violations & Fines

First violation citations start at 100 dollars; second within 12 months is 250 dollars; third and subsequent are 500 dollars. If the property owner does not abate, the county or CAL FIRE may perform forced abatement and charge the costs plus a 25 percent administrative fee as a lien on the property.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much defensible space do I need to maintain?

California Public Resources Code 4291 requires 100 feet of defensible space around structures in fire hazard zones. This applies to nearly all mountain properties in San Bernardino County and many foothill areas.

What must I do in the 0-5 foot Zone 0 area?

Zone 0 (0-5 feet from your home) must be an ember-resistant buffer with no combustible mulch, plants, wood stacks, or combustible fencing. Use hardscape, gravel, or stone. This zone is especially critical for home survival.

Who inspects defensible space in San Bernardino?

CAL FIRE and San Bernardino County Fire Protection District conduct annual defensible space inspections, typically between May and October during fire season.

How does San Bernardino County compare?

See how San Bernardino County's brush clearance rules stack up against other locations.

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San Bernardino County, CA Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)

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