Santa Clara is mostly on the valley floor and not mapped as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, but nearby foothills trigger PRC 4291 defensible space for properties bordering wildland.
California Public Resources Code 4291 requires 100 feet of defensible space around structures in State Responsibility Areas and designated fire hazard zones. Most of the City of Santa Clara is Local Responsibility Area and is not mapped in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, so the strict 100-foot rule does not apply to typical valley-floor homes. However, Santa Clara properties near open space, creek corridors, or the western foothills may still be expected to clear dry grass, weeds, and dead vegetation under the city weed abatement program and California Fire Code provisions. Santa Clara County Fire inspects hillside and wildland-adjacent parcels each spring. Keep grass under 6 inches, remove dead branches within 10 feet of chimneys, and maintain clear access around structures.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara regulates amplified sound and music through City Code Chapter 9.10, requiring permits for amplified events and prohibiting audible music at 50 fe...
Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara regulates outdoor music at venues including Levis Stadium and Santana Row under City Code Chapter 9.10 and conditional use permits, with amplifie...
Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara requires encroachment permits for new driveways, limits driveway width by zoning, and prohibits parking across sidewalks regardless of property o...
Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara tows abandoned vehicles after 72 hours under CVC 22651(k) and participates in the Santa Clara County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Program for priv...
Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara limits recreational vehicle street parking to 72 hours, requires permits for extended street storage, and restricts driveway RV storage under zon...
Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara fences must meet height, material, setback, and visibility standards under City Code Title 18 Zoning, with special rules for corner lots, histori...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Santa Clara County.
See how other cities in Santa Clara County handle brush clearance.
See how Santa Clara's brush clearance rules stack up against other locations.
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