Marin County requires 100 feet of defensible space around all structures in Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) areas. State law (PRC §4291) and the Marin County Fire Code mandate two zones: Zone 1 (0–30 ft, lean and green) and Zone 2 (30–100 ft, reduced fuel).
Defensible space is required by state law (Public Resources Code §4291) and adopted into Marin County Code Title 16 (Fire Code). The standard 100-foot defensible space requirement applies to all WUI properties in unincorporated Marin and within the cities, with two zones. Zone 1 (0–30 feet) requires removal of dead vegetation, regular pruning, and removal of brush piles. Zone 2 (30–100 feet) requires reduced and spaced fuels. Additional vegetation clearance is required within 10 feet horizontally of driveways and 15 feet vertically. The Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA) conducts annual inspections May through October.
Failure to maintain defensible space after inspection is an infraction enforced by Marin County Fire and partner agencies. Fines reach up to $500 per violation under MWPA authority. Repeat violations may trigger abatement billed to the owner.
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See how San Rafael's brush clearance rules stack up against other locations.
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