Pittsburg, CA Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)
Key Facts
- Zoning
- PRC 4291 mandates 100-foot defensible space in fire hazard zones
- Zoning
- Zone 0 (0-5 ft): no combustible mulch, wood fencing, stored wood, or
- Zoning
- Zone 1 (5-30 ft): lean clean and green, grass under 4 inches,
- Zoning
- Zone 2 (30-100 ft): reduced fuel, annual clearance of dead material
- City Can
- City can abate non-compliant properties and lien costs to owner
Summary
Properties in or adjacent to designated fire hazard zones must maintain 100 feet of defensible space under California Public Resources Code 4291. Most of Pittsburg is an urban Local Responsibility Area, but hillside properties near Black Diamond Mines and open space require Zone 0 (0-5 ft) and Zone 1 (5-30 ft) ember-resistant clearance.
(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. The intensity of fuels management may vary within the 100-foot perimeter of the structure, with more intense fuel reductions being utilized between 5 and 30 feet around the structure, and an ember-resistant zone being required within 5 feet of the structure, based on regulations promulgated by the board, in consultation with the department, to consider the elimination of materials in the ember-resistant zone that would likely be ignited by embers.
(2) Remove that portion of a tree that extends within 10 feet of the outlet of a chimney or stovepipe.
(3) Maintain a tree, shrub, or other plant adjacent to or overhanging a building free of dead or dying wood.
(4) Maintain the roof of a structure free of leaves, needles, or other vegetative materials.
Full Breakdown
California Public Resources Code 4291 requires 100 feet of defensible space around structures in State Responsibility Areas and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. While most of central Pittsburg is a Local Responsibility Area with lower fire-zone designation, properties on the southern and western edges abutting Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve, Kirker Pass, and undeveloped hillsides fall within elevated fire risk areas mapped by CAL FIRE. Defensible space is organized into Zone 0 (0-5 feet, ember-resistant zone), Zone 1 (5-30 feet, lean clean and green), and Zone 2 (30-100 feet, reduced fuel).
Zone 0 was added by AB 3074 and is being phased in statewide; it requires no combustible mulch, wood fencing attached to the home, stored firewood, or flammable plants within 5 feet of any structure. Zone 1 requires removal of dead plants, leaves, and pine needles, grass mowed to 4 inches or less, tree branches trimmed at least 10 feet from chimneys and 6 feet from the ground, and separation between trees and shrubs. Zone 2 allows more vegetation but requires annual clearance of dead material, horizontal and vertical spacing between trees and brush, and reduced fuel loads. The Pittsburg Fire Department and Contra Costa County Fire Marshal can conduct inspections and issue abatement orders, with city lien rights for non-compliant parcels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my home in downtown Pittsburg need defensible space?
What goes in Zone 0, the first five feet?
Who inspects my defensible space?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pittsburg
California rules heatmap·Compare Pittsburg to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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How other cities in Contra Costa County handle brush clearance.