Boulder, CO Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing sections
- City Code § 10-8.5-2(dd)-(ee), Wildland Code §§ 603.2, 603.2.4
- Noncombustible zone
- 5 feet around structure, no vegetation or fuel
- Clearance distance
- Set by Table 603.2 or to lot line
- Applies to
- New buildings, 200+ sq ft additions, new decks
- Fence rule
- Fences within 8 feet of structure must be noncombustible
Summary
Boulder requires new buildings in mapped wildland-urban interface areas to clear fuel out to the distance set in Wildland Code Table 603.2, or to the lot line if that is closer, and to maintain a five-foot noncombustible zone right around the structure. The rule is set at City Code Section 10-8.5-2(dd)-(ee).
603.2 Fuel modification. New buildings and new structures constructed in compliance with the conforming defensible space category (moderate hazard, high hazard, or extreme hazard) as identified within the wildland urban interface area by the code official shall comply with the applicable fuel modification distance established in Table 603.2 or with fuel modification to the lot line, whichever is less. The distances specified in Table 603.2 shall be measured on a horizontal plane from the perimeter or projection of the building or structure as shown in Figure 603.2. ... 603.2.4 Noncombustible Zone. New buildings and new structures shall have a noncombustible zone. Additions that are 200 square feet in floor area or greater shall have a noncombustible zone around the addition. New decks and expansions of decks shall have a noncombustible zone around the deck.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 167 Update 3).
Full Breakdown
2, or to the property lot line, whichever distance is shorter. " That five-foot zone also applies to additions of 200 square feet or more and to new decks or deck expansions. 5-2(cc), which requires all fence and gate sections within 8 feet of a structure to be built of noncombustible material. 5 of the Boulder Revised Code. The Division of Building Safety checks compliance with the mapped fuel modification distance as part of building permit review for construction in the wildland-urban interface.
Violations & Fines
Fuel modification violations are enforced under Wildland Code Section 109.3.6: a first violation draws a written warning, a second draws a $300 civil penalty, and a third draws $1,000 within a twelve-month period, with each day of uncleared fuel a separate offense. The code official can also withhold permit approvals or refer the case for criminal prosecution under Section 5-2-4, "General Penalties."
Frequently Asked Questions
How far does Boulder require fuel to be cleared around a new home?
What is the "noncombustible zone" requirement?
Do fences count toward the fuel modification rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Boulder
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