Josephine County, OR Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)
Key Facts
- Primary safety zone
- 50 ft from structure
- Secondary safety zone
- additional 50 ft
- Steep-slope extension
- +50 ft where slope over 20%
- Firewood storage
- kept 30 ft from structures
- Fine
- up to $500, $1,000 continuing
- Citation
- JCC § 19.76.080(B)(3)
Summary
Josephine County requires two rings of cleared or fire-resistant vegetation around new structures: a 50-foot primary fire safety zone and a second 50-foot secondary zone beyond it, growing another 50 feet where the slope next to a structure exceeds 20 percent, under JCC § 19.76.080.
In all cases the primary safety zone shall be developed for a distance of 50 feet in all directions from structures as measured along the ground from the farthest extension of the structure, to include attached carports, decks or eaves. A secondary safety zone shall be established around the primary safety zone for an additional 50 feet in all directions. On sites on which the slope abutting any structure exceeds 20 percent, the secondary safety zone shall extend an additional 50 feet in all directions.
Full Breakdown
080(B)(3) creates two fire safety zones measured from every structure: "In all cases the primary safety zone shall be developed for a distance of 50 feet in all directions from structures as measured along the ground from the farthest extension of the structure, to include attached carports, decks or eaves. A secondary safety zone shall be established around the primary safety zone for an additional 50 feet in all directions. " Inside the primary zone, subsection (C)(1) requires ground cover to be nonflammable material, dead grass cut to four inches or less and kept four feet from structures, or low-growing green vegetation kept substantially free of dead plant material; trees and shrubs must be pruned so crowns are separated by 15 feet, limbs below eight feet removed, and no limb touches a structure or comes within 15 feet of a chimney.
Firewood may not be stored within 30 feet of a structure. In the secondary zone, subsection (C)(2) requires tree trunks spaced 15 feet apart with limbs below eight feet removed, and brush and dead vegetation cleared out from underneath remaining trees. 080(B)(2). 090.
Violations & Fines
Failing to clear or maintain the primary 50-foot and secondary 50-foot vegetation zones around a structure, as required by JCC § 19.76.080, is a Rural Land Development Code violation enforced the same as any other Title 19 standard. The Planning Director gives written notice and up to 30 days to correct under JCC §§ 19.19.020-.030, with a conviction fine up to $500 for a noncontinuing offense or $1,000 for a continuing one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far does brush need to be cleared from my house in rural Josephine County?
Does the clearance zone get bigger on a steep lot?
Can I still keep trees close to my house?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Josephine County
Compare Josephine County to another location·View the Oregon fire regulations overview
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