Mission Viejo, CA Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)

Sec. 3 of the adopted 2025 California Fire Code to require that weeds, grass, vines or other growth capable of being ignited and endangering property be cut down and removed by the owner or occupant of the premises. For land within urban-wildland interface areas, the section cross-references Chapter 49 of the Fire Code for the vegetation clearance requirement, and directs that the type, amount, arrangement and maintenance of vegetation in a fuel modification area, interior slope or similarly hazardous area follow Orange County Fire Authority Guideline C-05, the Vegetation Management Guideline for Technical Design for New Construction, Fuel Modification Plans, and Maintenance Program.

The Fire Code as a whole, adopted at Sec. 010, is enforced by the Orange County Fire Authority under Sec. 020, operating under OCFA's Director of Fire Services, who may detail members as inspectors. Sec. 030 sets violation penalties at whatever amount is prescribed in the OCFA Prevention Field Services adopted fee schedule, and each day a violation continues after due notice counts as a separate offense. Sec. 040 separately makes it an infraction for anyone operating or maintaining property to permit a fire or life-safety hazard, such as unabated brush, to exist, and elevates the offense to a misdemeanor if the responsible party fails to take immediate action after being ordered by the fire chief or an authorized representative to abate it.