Properties in unincorporated Monterey County must maintain 100 feet of defensible space around structures under California Public Resources Code 4291. The requirement applies in the State Responsibility Area and very high fire hazard severity zones, and a compliant defensible space inspection is required when selling property in high or very high fire hazard severity zones.
Defensible space in unincorporated Monterey County is governed by California Public Resources Code (PRC) 4291, enforced by CAL FIRE and the county fire districts. PRC 4291 requires property owners to maintain 100 feet of defensible space (or to the property line) around buildings and structures in the State Responsibility Area and in very high fire hazard severity zones. Defensible space is managed in zones: an ember-resistant Zone 0 immediately around the structure (0–5 feet), a lean, clean and green Zone 1 (out to 30 feet), and a reduced-fuel Zone 2 (30 to 100 feet). Effective July 1, 2021, when selling property located in a high or very high fire hazard severity zone, the seller must provide documentation of a compliant defensible space inspection that meets PRC 4291 or the local vegetation management ordinance; the inspection must be within the six months before the sales contract. If the property cannot pass, buyer and seller may agree in writing that the buyer will obtain compliant documentation within one year after closing escrow. With roughly 80% of Monterey County rated high, very high, or extreme fire threat — underscored by the 2016 Soberanes Fire and 2020 Dolan Fire — defensible space is a critical wildfire mitigation. The Monterey County Regional Fire District schedules sale-of-property inspections at (831) 455-1828.
Failure to maintain PRC 4291 defensible space can result in inspection notices, citations, and orders to comply from CAL FIRE or the local fire district; non-compliant clearance also blocks the required point-of-sale documentation in high/very high fire hazard zones. Continued non-compliance can lead to abatement and liability.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Monterey, CA
Persistent dog barking in the City of Monterey is enforced under the noise ordinance and animal provisions as a disturbance; chronic barking that disturbs ne...
Monterey, CA
Construction noise in the City of Monterey is limited to daytime hours under the noise ordinance — typically 7 a.m.–7 p.m. weekdays with reduced weekend hour...
Monterey, CA
The City of Monterey regulates noise through its municipal code, prohibiting loud and disturbing noise with stricter nighttime limits (generally 10 p.m.–7 a....
Monterey, CA
Driveway approaches in the City of Monterey require an encroachment permit and must meet city standards; vehicles generally must be parked on an approved pav...
Monterey, CA
RV, trailer and boat storage on residential lots in the City of Monterey is regulated by zoning, which restricts placement and prohibits living in a parked RV.
Monterey, CA
On-street parking in the City of Monterey is governed by the vehicle code, with extensive metered and time-limited zones downtown and near the wharf, plus 72...
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.