Colorado Springs, CO Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)
Key Facts
- Zone 1 (0-5 ft)
- All vegetation removed, no new plantings
- Zone 2 (5-30 ft)
- Evergreens pruned to 15-ft clearance
- Scope
- Designated WUI risk-area parcels only
- Enacted by
- Ordinance 26-18, effective May 25, 2026
- Enforced by
- CSFD Fire Marshal, Code § 103.2.1
- Max penalty
- $2,500 fine / 189 days jail (§1.1.201)
Summary
In Colorado Springs' wildland urban interface risk areas, the Wildfire Resiliency Requirements (Fire Code Appendix K, reordained by Ordinance 26-18) ban new plantings and require removal of shrubs, slash and woody debris within 5 feet of a structure, plus a 15-foot pruned clearance for evergreens within that range, enforced by the Fire Marshal under City Code § 8.4.105.
K108.1.1.3 Plantings and Vegetation. Remove all vegetation including shrubs, slash, combustible mulch and other woody debris, and there shall be no planting of new vegetation in the immediate zone. Exceptions: 1. Low flammability vegetation as outlined on an approved list by the fire code official, is allowed in the Immediate Zone. 2. Existing character trees from prior to the implementation date of this appendix may be maintained in this zone... K108.1.2.1 Evergreen Trees within 15 feet (15') of any structure shall be pruned to maintain a minimum clearance of 15 feet (15') as measured from the dripline to the structure. Prune tree branches to a height of 6-10 feet (6'-10') from the ground or a third of the total height of the tree, whichever is less.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-21: Code current through: Ord. 26-23, passed June 9, 2026).
Full Breakdown
105 and repealed and reordained by Ordinance No. 2. 3 requires owners to remove all vegetation including shrubs, slash, combustible mulch and other woody debris, and bars planting any new vegetation there at all, except low-flammability species on an approved fire-code-official list, or existing 'character trees' predating the appendix, which may stay if kept 15 feet clear of any other combustibles, structures or vegetation. 1: evergreen trees within 15 feet of a structure must be pruned to hold that 15-foot dripline clearance, with branches limbed to 6-10 feet above ground or one-third of the tree's total height, whichever is less.
3). 7 requires fire-code-official plan review before a building permit issues, plus separate fuels-management inspections before foundation pour, at framing, and before final occupancy sign-off. , structures newly built or reconstructed in a WUI risk area on or after June 30, 2026, and decks or siding altered on or after June 30, 2023 -- so older, unaltered homes may remain under a prior fuels-management standard until they trigger reconstruction.
Violations & Fines
Appendix K carries no standalone fine, so noncompliance defaults to the Code's general penalty at § 1.1.201: up to a $2,500 fine, up to 189 days in jail, probation, or a combination, imposed by Municipal Court. For Class II WUI structures, the Fire Marshal can also withhold sign-off at pre-construction, framing, or final inspection under § K101.7 until fuels management is corrected, effectively blocking occupancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as the 'Immediate Zone' for brush clearance in Colorado Springs' wildfire areas?
How close can a tree be to my house in a WUI risk area?
Does this brush-clearance rule apply everywhere in Colorado Springs?
What happens if I don't clear brush as required?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Colorado Springs
Compare Colorado Springs to another location·View the Colorado fire regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.