Under Shasta County Code Chapter 8.08 and California Public Resources Code Section 4291, property owners in fire hazard severity zones must maintain 100 feet of defensible space around structures. Shasta County's local ordinance also requires hazardous fuel reduction across entire parcels of two acres or less, or a 30-foot perimeter on parcels two to 10 acres. The Fire Warden may extend required defensible space beyond 30 feet up to 100 feet from the property line.
Shasta County is one of California's highest wildfire risk areas and the County has adopted stringent fuel reduction requirements under Chapter 8.08 of the County Code. California Public Resources Code Section 4291 requires 100 feet of defensible space around any structure on land covered with flammable material in State Responsibility Areas, broken into two zones: Zone 1 (0-30 feet) requires removal of all dead vegetation, leaves from roofs and gutters, and trimming of trees; Zone 2 (30-100 feet) requires reduced and spaced vegetation. Shasta County's local ordinance goes further: owners must reduce hazardous fuel across the entire parcel for parcels of two acres or less, and maintain a 30-foot perimeter or follow a site plan on parcels of two to 10 acres. A property owner can be required to maintain defensible space up to 30 feet from the property line, extendable by the Fire Warden up to 100 feet when adjacent property is endangered. CalFire and Shasta County conduct inspections. The Shasta County Fire Safe Council operates a free chipping program to help residents dispose of cleared brush.
Administrative fines under the local ordinance are $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second offense, and $500 for the third offense. The county may abate the hazard if the owner fails to comply after notice, with costs becoming a lien on the property. State PRC 4291 violations carry their own penalties including fines up to $500 for the first violation under state law, with higher penalties for repeat offenses.
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See how Shasta County's brush clearance rules stack up against other locations.
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