Fillmore, CA Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)
Key Facts
- Defensible Space
- 100 feet around structures
- Zone 1 (0-30 ft)
- Lean, clean, green
- Zone 2 (30-100 ft)
- Reduced fuel load
- State Law
- PRC §4291
- Contact
- Ventura County Fire (805) 389-9710
Summary
Fillmore requires defensible space vegetation clearance around structures per California PRC §4291 and Ventura County Fire Protection District standards. Properties must maintain 100 feet of defensible space in two zones: 0-30 feet (lean/clean/green) and 30-100 feet (reduced fuel).
(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
Fillmore is served by the Ventura County Fire Protection District, which enforces California Public Resources Code §4291 defensible space requirements. Properties in or adjacent to fire hazard areas must maintain 100 feet of defensible space around all structures. Zone 1 (0-30 feet from structure): remove all dead vegetation, trim tree branches 6 feet from ground, keep grass mowed to 4 inches, remove combustible materials from around the structure. Zone 2 (30-100 feet): create horizontal spacing between shrubs and trees, remove dead/dying vegetation, reduce fuel load. Fillmore's proximity to hillside wildland areas north of town makes brush clearance critical. Annual inspections typically occur before fire season (June-November). Ventura County Fire at (805) 389-9710 conducts inspections.
Violations & Fines
Failure to maintain defensible space is a fire code violation. Ventura County Fire issues notices to comply with a deadline. Non-compliance can result in the fire district performing the clearance and billing the property owner, plus administrative fines. PRC §4291 violations carry fines up to $500.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much brush clearance is required in Fillmore?
When are brush clearance inspections in Fillmore?
What happens if I don't clear brush on my Fillmore property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fillmore
California rules heatmap·Compare Fillmore to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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Brush Clearance in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Ventura County handle brush clearance.