Riverside property owners in designated fire-hazard zones must maintain 100 feet of defensible space under California PRC 4291 and RMC Chapter 8.04.
California Public Resources Code 4291 requires owners of structures in or adjacent to wildland areas to maintain defensible space: Zone 0 (0-5 feet, ember-resistant, AB 3074), Zone 1 (5-30 feet, lean clean and green), and Zone 2 (30-100 feet, reduced fuel). Riverside enforces these requirements in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) designated by CAL FIRE in hillside areas including portions of Canyon Crest, La Sierra Hills, Box Springs, and Sycamore Canyon. The Fire Department conducts annual inspections starting May 1 and issues notices requiring abatement within 30 days. Non-compliance leads to forced abatement by city-hired contractors with costs lien-assessed to the property. AB 38 (2020) additionally requires disclosure of defensible-space compliance at point of sale for homes in high-fire zones.
Failure to comply triggers abatement notice; ignoring the notice results in forced clearance with contractor charges plus administrative fees lien-attached to the property. Fines up to $500 per violation.
Riverside, CA
Riverside has no city ordinance restricting residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays on private property. California Civil Code §4710 limi...
Riverside, CA
Riverside has no city ordinance specifically regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Inflatables are permitted on private property subject to rig...
Riverside, CA
Riverside has no city ordinance setting installation dates, removal deadlines, or brightness limits for residential holiday lights. Lights are permitted year...
Riverside, CA
Built-in outdoor kitchens in Riverside require permits through the Community & Economic Development Department: a building permit for the structure, a mechan...
Riverside, CA
Riverside has no city-specific ordinance regulating residential backyard smokers, pellet grills, or wood-fired ovens at single-family homes. Operation is gov...
Riverside, CA
Riverside adopts the California Fire Code under RMC Title 16. CFC §308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking devices (charcoal, wood) and propane tanks larger tha...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Riverside County.
See how other cities in Riverside County handle brush clearance.
See how Riverside's brush clearance rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.