Property owners in unincorporated Orange County must maintain 100 feet of defensible space around structures per California Public Resources Code Section 4291 and OCFA vegetation management guidelines. Zone 0 (0–5 feet) requires an ember-resistant zone with no combustible materials.
California PRC §4291 requires property owners to maintain defensible space of 100 feet from structures (or to the property line, whichever is less). OCFA divides defensible space into three zones: Zone 0 (0–5 feet from structures) requires an ember-resistant landscape with no combustible materials, including no wooden gates, plants, or bark mulch within 5 feet of the structure—only paving, gravel, or rock; Zone 1 (5–30 feet) requires lean, clean, and green landscaping with trees trimmed at least 6 feet from the ground, dead vegetation removed, and shrubs spaced to prevent fire spread; Zone 2 (30–100 feet) requires vegetation thinning, removal of dead plants, and spacing of shrubs. OCFA conducts annual inspections in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, which include most unincorporated canyon and hillside communities. Property owners receive a Notice of Violation with 30 days to complete corrections if non-compliant. AB 3074 (effective 2023) added the Zone 0 requirement for properties in very high fire hazard zones.
PRC §4291 violations: fine of $100–$2,000 and/or 10–90 days in county jail. Fine may be reduced to $50 if corrected before court date. OCFA may also perform abatement at the property owner's expense and place a lien on the property.
Midway City, CA
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Orange County, CA
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Orange County, CA
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Orange County, CA
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Orange County, CA
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Orange County, CA
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Orange County.
See how other cities in Orange County handle brush clearance.
See how Midway City's brush clearance rules stack up against other locations.
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