San Diego County requires property owners in unincorporated areas to maintain defensible space around structures per the 2023 Consolidated Fire Code. Zone 0 (0–5 ft): non-combustible only. Zone 1 (5–50 ft): fire-resistant, irrigated plants. Zone 2 (50–100 ft): reduced fuel load. Compliance is mandatory year-round.
The County of San Diego 2023 Consolidated Fire Code mandates defensible space on all properties in unincorporated areas. Zone 0 (Ember-Resistant Zone, 0-5 feet from structures): must be non-combustible hardscape or non-combustible materials only. Zone 1 (Lean, Clean, and Green, 5-50 feet): low-growth, fire-resistant plants that must be irrigated; trees pruned so branches are at least 6 feet above ground; remove all dead vegetation. Zone 2 (Reduced Fuel Zone, 50-100 feet): reduce density of vegetation; maintain horizontal spacing between shrubs. The County Fire Authority inspects properties and enforces compliance. Annual weed abatement notices are issued to remind property owners of clearance deadlines.
Failure to maintain defensible space can result in citations, fines, and forced abatement at the property owner's expense (costs added to property tax bill). Repeat violations escalate penalties significantly.
San Diego County, CA
San Diego County Code Chapter 6 (Animal Control) and the noise ordinance address barking dogs. Persistently barking dogs that disturb neighbors violate Secti...
San Diego County, CA
San Diego County Code of Regulatory Ordinances Section 36.404 sets noise limits by property zone and time of day. Residential zones: 50 dBA daytime (7 AM–10 ...
San Diego County, CA
Vehicles on public streets in unincorporated San Diego County cannot be parked for more than 72 consecutive hours. A vehicle must be moved at least 0.5 miles...
San Diego County, CA
Unincorporated San Diego County does not have a blanket overnight parking ban. The 72-hour parking rule applies. Some specific communities or HOAs may impose...
San Diego County, CA
Tree trimming in unincorporated San Diego County is required for defensible space maintenance (branches pruned to 6 feet above ground), utility clearance, an...
Elfin Forest, CA
Elfin Forest is unincorporated San Diego County. The Elfin Forest / Harmony Grove Community Plan (adopted by the County Board of Supervisors August 2011) pre...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in San Diego County.
See how other cities in San Diego County handle brush clearance.
See how Elfin Forest'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.