Brentwood, CA Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)

California's defensible space law (PRC Section 4291) requires property owners to maintain 100 feet of clearance around every occupied structure in a State Responsibility Area or in any Local Responsibility Area Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Eastern Brentwood parcels bordering the unincorporated foothills and Marsh Creek watershed fall within mapped fire hazard zones and are subject to the full 100-foot clearance rule. Zone 0 (the first 0-5 feet from the structure) must be an "ember-resistant" zone with no combustible vegetation or materials under AB 3074. Zone 1 (5-30 feet) requires lean, clean, and green landscaping with trimmed trees, irrigated plantings, and 10-foot spacing between shrubs and tree canopies. Zone 2 (30-100 feet) allows reduced fuel with grass cut to 4 inches or less and horizontal spacing of brush. The East Contra Costa Fire Protection District conducts annual exterior inspections beginning in May and issues Notice of Violation letters with 30-day compliance deadlines. Non-compliance can result in abatement by the district with costs recorded as a property lien, plus administrative fines up to $500. Homeowners in Wildland-Urban Interface areas must also comply with Chapter 7A ignition-resistant building material rules when re-roofing or remodeling.