Ventura County, CA Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)
Key Facts
- Defensible space distance
- Up to 100 ft around structures (or to property line)
- Grass height
- Cut to max 3-inch stubble
- Branches from roof/eaves
- Trim back 3 ft; 10 ft from chimney/stovepipe
- Governing law
- PRC §4291; Gov. Code §51182; VCFPD enforcement
- Sale disclosure
- VCFPD Ord. 34 §617: effective Jan 1, 2026
- Correction window
- 30 days of notice or before escrow closes
Summary
Property owners in unincorporated Ventura County must maintain defensible space, enforced by the Ventura County Fire Protection District under California Public Resources Code §4291. The standard is up to 100 ft of clearance around structures, and county requirements exceed state law. Effective January 1, 2026, VCFPD Ordinance 34 requires sellers in High/Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones to document compliance.
4291. (a) A person who owns, leases, controls, operates, or maintains a building or structure in the state responsibility area shall at all times do all of the following: (1) (A) Maintain defensible space of 100 feet from each side and from the front and rear of the structure, but not beyond the property line, except as provided in subparagraph (B). The amount of fuel modification necessary shall consider the flammability of the structure as affected by building material, building standards, location, and type of vegetation. Fuels shall be maintained and spaced in a condition so that a wildfire would be unlikely to ignite the structure.
Full Breakdown
Defensible space is the buffer of cleared, maintained vegetation between a structure and the wildland fuels around it. In unincorporated Ventura County, the VCFPD enforces clearance requirements drawn from California Public Resources Code §4291 and Government Code §51182, requiring property owners to keep their parcels free of fire hazards and nuisance vegetation year-round. The standard is 100 ft of clearance around structures (or to the property line if closer), and the county notes its requirements are more restrictive than state law, with inspectors evaluating the full 100-ft zone around all structures.
) Under VCFPD Ordinance 34, Section 617 (effective January 1, 2026), sellers of residential property in a High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone within VCFPD boundaries must obtain a defensible-space inspection and provide the buyer documentation of compliance. Inspections are scheduled within about 7–10 days, currently carry no inspection fee, and corrections must be completed within 30 days of notice or before escrow closes, whichever comes first.
Violations & Fines
If a defensible-space inspection reveals violations, they must be corrected within 30 days of the notice (or before escrow closes, whichever comes first, for property sales under Ordinance 34). Failure to maintain required clearance can result in abatement notices and citations by the VCFPD; the more restrictive county standards apply across the 100-ft zone. Schedule or ask about inspections through the Community Wildfire Preparedness Division at 805-389-9759 or fhrp@venturacounty.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much defensible space do I need around my home?
Do I have to clear brush before selling my home?
Is the 0–5 ft 'Zone Zero' clearance required?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ventura County
California rules heatmap·Compare Ventura County to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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