Daly City, CA Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)
Key Facts
- Designated area
- Southern Hills, NE Daly City by San Bruno Mountain
- Target species
- Gorse, plus grass, weeds, brush
- Chimney clearance
- Trees trimmed 10 ft from outlets
- Spark screens
- Nonflammable, max 1/2-inch openings
- Roof maintenance
- Free of leaves, needles, dead growth
Summary
Daly City requires property owners in the designated Southern Hills fire hazard area, abutting San Bruno Mountain, to clear all flammable vegetation including gorse, grass, weeds, and brush. The fire chief designates the hazard area and clearance duties under Municipal Code section 15.32.260.
The purpose and intent of these regulations is to identify areas which present a fire hazard due to the accumulation of gorse plants near residential areas so that public officials are able to identify measures that will retard the rate of spread and reduce the potential intensity of uncontrolled fires that threaten to destroy resources, life, or property. ... Southern Hills: located in the northeast portion of Daly City north and east of Crocker Avenue including but not limited to South Hill Boulevard, Alta Vista Way, Oakridge Street and surrounding areas abutting San Bruno Mountain County Park which lies to the south. ... All properties shall be entirely cleared of all flammable vegetation including but not limited to gorse, grass, weeds, and brush. This subdivision does not apply to single specimens of trees, ornamental shrubbery, or similar plants that are used as groundcover, if they do not form a means of rapidly transmitting fire from native growth to any dwelling or structure; grass and other vegetation less than twelve inches in height above the ground may be maintained to stabilize the soil and prevent erosion; Remove that portion of any trees that extend within ten feet of the outlet of any chimney or stovepipe; Provide and maintain at all times a screen over the outlet of every chimney or stovepipe that is attached to any fireplace, stove, or other device that burns any solid or liquid fuel. The screen shall be constructed of nonflammable material with openings of not more than one-half inch in size.
Full Breakdown
Daly City Municipal Code section 15.32.260 establishes a Vegetation Management Program targeting the accumulation of highly flammable gorse plants near homes. The fire chief has designated the Southern Hills area -- the northeast portion of the city north and east of Crocker Avenue, including South Hill Boulevard, Alta Vista Way, Oakridge Street, and surrounding streets abutting San Bruno Mountain County Park -- as a fire hazard area. Owners, lessees, and occupants of land there must keep properties entirely cleared of flammable vegetation (single ornamental specimens and soil-stabilizing grass under 12 inches may remain), trim trees back 10 feet from chimney outlets, maintain nonflammable half-inch-mesh screens on every chimney or stovepipe serving a solid- or liquid-fuel device, keep trees adjacent to or overhanging buildings free of dead wood, and keep roofs clear of leaves, needles, and dead vegetation.
Violations & Fines
Violations of the fire code chapter, including the vegetation management requirements, are misdemeanors punishable under Municipal Code section 1.12.010, and each ten days a prohibited condition is maintained is a separate offense. The fire chief or fire marshal may issue citations under DCMC section 15.32.200.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Daly City properties must clear brush under the Vegetation Management Program?
Do I have to remove every plant on my Southern Hills property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Daly City
California rules heatmap·Compare Daly City to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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Brush Clearance in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Mateo County handle brush clearance.