El Dorado County requires 100 feet of defensible space around every habitable structure under Chapter 8.09 of the County Code (Ordinance 5186, adopted July 16, 2024), aligned with California Public Resources Code Section 4291 and 14 CCR Section 1299. Defensible space is split into Zone 1 (0-30 feet, 'lean and green') and Zone 2 (30-100 feet, reduced fuel). Additional clearance up to 300 feet may be required where steep terrain, weather, structure age, road access, or vegetation warrants. Inspections are performed by CAL FIRE, the local fire protection district, or El Dorado County Office of Wildfire Preparedness and Resilience.
El Dorado County Code Chapter 8.09 (Defensible Space) is the County's vegetation-management law, updated by Ordinance 5186 adopted by the Board of Supervisors on July 16, 2024 (repealing and replacing prior Ordinance 5101). Chapter 8.09 requires a minimum 100 feet of defensible space around every habitable structure, consistent with California Public Resources Code Section 4291 and California Code of Regulations Title 14 Section 1299. The 100-foot zone is divided into two zones: Zone 1 (0 to 30 feet from the structure) requires intensive fuel reduction - removal of dead and dying vegetation, removal or separation of flammable ground cover and shrubs (EDC Section 8.09.070(F)(1)), removal of branches within 10 feet of any chimney or stovepipe outlet (EDC Section 8.09.070(F)(5)), keeping roofs and gutters clear, and separation between tree canopies. Zone 2 (30 to 100 feet) requires reduced fuel - grass mowed to 4 inches or less during fire season, horizontal and vertical separation between vegetation, and removal of dead and dying material. Because of the County's steep terrain, weather conditions, age of many structures, limited roadways for emergency access, limited water supply, and hazardous vegetation, the County reserves the right to require additional clearance beyond 100 feet - up to a maximum of 300 feet - on a case-by-case basis. Inspections are conducted by CAL FIRE, the local fire protection district, or by El Dorado County Office of Wildfire Preparedness and Resilience defensible space inspectors. State law also requires an AB 38 defensible space compliance inspection at the time of sale of any property in a High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone in the SRA. Maintenance is the owner's responsibility year-round; non-compliance can result in administrative citations, abatement actions, and in extreme cases criminal misdemeanor liability under Public Resources Code Section 4291.
Failure to maintain defensible space under Chapter 8.09 can result in an inspection notice, written notice to abate, administrative citations with escalating fines, and County-performed abatement at the owner's expense. Public Resources Code Section 4291 makes a violation an infraction or misdemeanor; PRC Section 4291(g) authorizes a fine of up to $500 for the first offense and up to $1,000 for each subsequent offense, with continuing daily fines for ongoing violations. Property owners are also liable for fire suppression costs under California Health & Safety Code Section 13009 if their unmaintained vegetation contributes to an escaping wildfire.
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