San Diego County, CA Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)
Key Facts
- Defensible space
- 100 feet around improvements (Sec. 68.404)
- Minimum allowed
- Not less than 30 feet (Fire Warden)
- Property-line clearance
- 30 feet where neighbor endangered
- Road/driveway clearance
- 10 feet each side of improved width
- Weed/grass height
- Max 6 inches
- Enforcement
- Public nuisance abatement (Sec. 68.405)
Summary
Unincorporated San Diego County requires 100 feet of defensible space around structures under the Defensible Space for Fire Protection Ordinance (County Code Ch. 4, Div. 8, Title 6). Combustible vegetation, dead trees, and rubbish must be cleared within 100 feet of improvements, 30 feet of property lines, and 10 feet of roads. Violations are a public nuisance.
99] ( Chapter 3 added by Stats. 1965, Ch. 1144. ) 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
Unincorporated San Diego County enforces strong defensible-space rules through the Defensible Space for Fire Protection Ordinance (San Diego County Code, Chapter 4 of Division 8 of Title 6, Secs. 406, adopted by Ordinance No. 10147). Under Sec. 404(a), no responsible party may permit accumulation of combustible vegetation, dead/dying/diseased trees, green waste, rubbish, or other flammable materials within 100 feet of the exterior perimeter of any improvement; the Fire Warden may reduce this to no less than 30 feet, or require up to property line where the parcel is smaller.
Sec. 404(b) requires clearance within 30 feet of property lines where accumulation endangers a neighbor's defensible space, and Sec. 404(c) requires clearing within 10 feet of each side of the improved width of roads and driveways. In high-risk areas (such as the MSCP Subarea), the Fire Warden may require up to 2 to 5 acres of additional clearance (Sec. 404(d)). Approved removal methods (Sec. 406) leave root structure intact to prevent erosion, keep weeds and grasses under 6 inches, and cut tree stumps no higher than 8 inches.
The ordinance applies in unincorporated territory outside fire/water districts (administered by the Fire Warden), or within districts that have adopted it. This implements California Public Resources Code section 4291, the statewide 100-foot defensible-space requirement.
Violations & Fines
Allowing combustible vegetation or debris to accumulate in violation of Sec. 68.404 is declared a public nuisance under Sec. 68.405. The Fire Warden may abate it under the County's Public Nuisance Abatement Procedure (Code Sec. 16.201 et seq.), with abatement costs and liens charged to the property owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much defensible space is required around my home?
What happens if I don't clear my brush?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Diego County
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