Monterey County Code Chapter 18.56 (Wildfire Protection Standards for Defensible Space and Structures in State Responsibility Areas) and Cal. Public Resources Code section 4291 require 100 feet of defensible space around structures in State Responsibility Areas (SRA) and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Zone 0 (0-5 ft) is ember-resistant, Zone 1 (5-30 ft) is lean and green, Zone 2 (30-100 ft) is reduced fuel.
MCC Chapter 18.56 adopts and locally implements California's wildland defensible space rules. In State Responsibility Areas (SRA), Local Responsibility Area (LRA) Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, and the wildland-urban interface, owners of structures must maintain 100 feet of defensible space around every habitable building, accessory dwelling, and approved outbuilding under Cal. Public Resources Code section 4291. California's three-zone framework, enforced by CAL FIRE and the Monterey County Regional Fire District, requires: Zone 0 (0-5 feet, ember-resistant) - no combustible mulch, plants, or stored firewood within five feet of the structure; Zone 1 (5-30 feet, lean and green) - clear dead vegetation, trim overhanging branches at least 10 feet from chimneys, keep grass cut to maximum 4 inches; Zone 2 (30-100 feet, reduced fuel) - thin trees and brush, maintain horizontal spacing between shrubs and vertical spacing from grass to lower branches. Cal Fire BEU inspects properties in the Big Sur coast, Carmel Highlands, Carmel Valley, Cachagua, Arroyo Seco, and other wildland areas annually. Properties on the coast within the Coastal Zone may require a Coastal Development Permit before removing native vegetation; vegetation management for defensible space is generally exempt but must follow Title 20 standards for protected oaks and habitat.
Failure to comply is a misdemeanor under Cal. PRC 4291(h) and MCC 18.56, punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 or one year in jail. CAL FIRE may abate non-compliant vegetation at the owner's cost. Insurance carriers in California can also use defensible space inspection results to set premiums or non-renew under FAIR Plan rules.
Monterey County, CA
Excessive barking is a nuisance under Monterey County Code Title 8 (Animal Control) and Chapter 10.60 (Noise Control). Persistent barking, howling, or other ...
Monterey County, CA
Monterey County Code Chapter 10.60 (Noise Control) governs unincorporated areas including Big Sur, Pebble Beach, Carmel Valley, and Pajaro. MCC 10.60.040 set...
Monterey County, CA
Monterey County Code Chapter 12.72 regulates abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicles - including RVs, trailers, and boats - on public streets...
Monterey, CA
Monterey City Code Chapter 20 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic) regulates parking. Vehicles may not be parked on any city street for more than 72 consecutive hour...
Monterey County, CA
In unincorporated Monterey County (Title 21 inland, Title 20 coastal), fences may not exceed 6 feet in any zoning district unless they meet accessory-structu...
Monterey County, CA
Monterey County Code Title 8 (Animal Control) and Title 21/20 zoning regulate the keeping of chickens, fowl, and livestock in unincorporated areas. Roosters ...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Monterey County.
See how Monterey'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.