Fresno County, CA Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)
Key Facts
- Clearance
- 100 ft defensible space
- Zones
- 0 / 1 / 2 (0-5, 5-30, 30-100 ft)
- Authority
- CAL FIRE / County Fire
- Code
- CA PRC §4291
- Lien Authority
- Yes (abatement cost)
Summary
CA PRC §4291 requires 100 ft of defensible space around structures in State Responsibility Areas (SRA) and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Zone 0 (0-5 ft): ember-resistant; Zone 1 (5-30 ft): lean/clean/green; Zone 2 (30-100 ft): reduce.
(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. This subparagraph does not apply to single specimens of trees or other vegetation that are well-pruned and maintained so as to effectively manage fuels and not form a means of rapidly transmitting fire from other nearby vegetation to a structure or from a structure to other nearby vegetation or to interrupt the advance of embers toward a 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
Fresno County's eastern foothills are largely SRA managed by CAL FIRE, with extensive VHFHSZ designations. PRC §4291 mandates 100 ft defensible space (or to the property line). AB 3074 added Zone 0 (0-5 ft) requiring non-combustible materials immediately adjacent to structures. County Fire Protection District conducts inspections, especially May-October. Non-compliance triggers notice, re-inspection fees, and abatement with lien for cost recovery. Weed abatement in non-SRA areas falls under Fresno County Ordinance Code Chapter 12 (nuisance vegetation).
Violations & Fines
PRC §4291 violations: up to $500 first offense, $1,000 subsequent. Re-inspection fees $100-$500. County may abate and lien property for full cost plus administrative charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 100 ft clearance apply if my lot is smaller?
What is Zone 0?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fresno County
California rules heatmap·Compare Fresno County to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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