Concord, CA Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)
Key Facts
- Authority
- PRC 4291 requires 100-foot defensible space in fire zones
- Authority
- Zone 0 ember-resistant zone (AB 3074) within 5 feet
- Inspection
- ConFire annual weed abatement inspections
- Height
- 4-inch grass height required citywide
- Rule
- Non-compliance triggers abatement lien
Summary
California Public Resources Code §4291 requires 100 feet of defensible space around structures in State Responsibility Areas and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Most of Concord lies in a Local Responsibility Area with limited VHFHSZ mapping, but ConFire enforces weed abatement citywide.
(a) A person who owns, leases, controls, operates, or maintains a building or structure in the state responsibility area shall at all times do all of the following:
(1) (A) Maintain defensible space of 100 feet from each side and from the front and rear of the structure, but not beyond the property line, except as provided in subparagraph (B). The amount of fuel modification necessary shall consider the flammability of the structure as affected by building material, building standards, location, and type of vegetation. Fuels shall be maintained and spaced in a condition so that a wildfire would be unlikely to ignite the structure. This subparagraph does not apply to single specimens of trees or other vegetation that are well-pruned and maintained so as to effectively manage fuels and not form a means of rapidly transmitting fire from other nearby vegetation to a structure or from a structure to other nearby vegetation or to interrupt the advance of embers toward a structure. The intensity of fuels management may vary within the 100-foot perimeter of the structure, with more intense fuel reductions being utilized between 5 and 30 feet around the structure, and an ember-resistant zone being required within 5 feet of the structure, based on regulations promulgated by the board, in consultation with the department, to consider the elimination of materials in the ember-resistant zone that would likely be ignited by embers.
(2) Remove that portion of a tree that extends within 10 feet of the outlet of a chimney or stovepipe.
(3) Maintain a tree, shrub, or other plant adjacent to or overhanging a building free of dead or dying wood.
(4) Maintain the roof of a structure free of leaves, needles, or other vegetative materials.
Full Breakdown
California Public Resources Code §4291 requires property owners in State Responsibility Areas (SRA) and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) to maintain 100 feet of defensible space around structures. The space is divided into two zones: Zone 1 (0-30 feet) requires removal of dead plants, grass, weeds, and flammable material within 5 feet of the home (the Zone 0 ember-resistant zone under AB 3074); Zone 2 (30-100 feet) requires grass cut to 4 inches, 10-foot spacing between tree canopies, and removal of ladder fuels.
Most of Concord is a Local Responsibility Area (LRA) and is not mapped as VHFHSZ by CAL FIRE, though recent state mapping updates under AB 642 may expand designations. Regardless of VHFHSZ status, ConFire conducts annual weed abatement inspections throughout Concord and issues notices requiring property owners to cut grass and weeds to 4 inches or less, typically with compliance deadlines in late spring before fire season. Non-compliance results in ConFire contracting the work and placing a lien on the property for the cost plus administrative fees. Homes in hillside or open-space-adjacent neighborhoods (Lime Ridge, near Mount Diablo foothills) face additional scrutiny.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Concord in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone?
When does ConFire inspect for weeds?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Concord
California rules heatmap·Compare Concord to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Brush Clearance in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Contra Costa County handle brush clearance.