San Mateo County requires 100 feet of defensible space around all structures in State Responsibility Areas (SRA) and designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) per California Public Resources Code Β§4291. The County Fire Marshal (Cal Fire San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit) conducts annual LE-100 inspections in coastal mountain communities including La Honda, Pescadero, Loma Mar, Woodside hills, and Emerald Hills. Failure to clear triggers abatement at the owner's expense plus administrative liens.
Defensible space is mandated by PRC Β§4291 and Government Code Β§51182, enforced in unincorporated San Mateo County by the County Fire Department (operated under contract by Cal Fire's San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit). Zone 0 (0-5 ft ember-resistant zone) is being phased in under AB 3074, requiring non-combustible materials immediately adjacent to structures. Zone 1 (0-30 ft) requires removing dead vegetation, trimming trees 10 ft from chimneys, clearing roofs/gutters of leaves, and maintaining 10 ft spacing between tree crowns. Zone 2 (30-100 ft) requires reducing surface fuel, creating horizontal/vertical spacing between shrubs and trees, and removing ladder fuels. Annual inspections occur May-October; LE-100 notices are mailed first. The County also enforces WUI building code Chapter 7A for construction in VHFHSZ β ignition-resistant exterior materials, ember-resistant vents, and Class A roofing required. The San Mateo RCD Neighborhood Chipper Program provides free chipping in eligible neighborhoods.
PRC Β§4291 non-compliance: up to $500 per day, reinspection fees $150+. County abatement contractor clears property and liens owner for actual costs ($500-$5,000+). Second failed inspection: escalated administrative penalties. Fire caused by failure to clear: civil liability for suppression costs.
Daly City, CA
Daly City prohibits nuisance barking under Title 6 (Animals) and Chapter 9.22 (Disturbing the Peace). Owners must prevent dogs from habitually barking or how...
Daly City, CA
Construction with a valid city permit is allowed weekdays 8 AM to 8 PM in Daly City. Weekend and holiday construction hours are more restricted. Unpermitted ...
Daly City, CA
Daly City regulates noise under Chapter 9.22 (Disturbing the Peace). Residential sound limits are 60 dBA daytime and 50 dBA nighttime. The general quiet peri...
Daly City, CA
Daly City restricts overnight and extended parking of large commercial vehicles in residential zones. California Vehicle Code provisions on commercial vehicl...
Daly City, CA
Daly City prohibits parking RVs, boats, trailers, and camper shells in the front yard of residential lots. They may only be parked on the driveway within app...
Daly City, CA
Daly City enforces California Vehicle Code Β§22651 for abandoned vehicles (72 hours on public street). Street sweeping parking restrictions are posted by bloc...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in San Mateo County.
See how Daly City's brush clearance rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.