Santa Monica, CA Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)
Key Facts
- State Law
- CA PRC §4291
- Defensible Space
- 100 ft if in hazard zone
- City Risk
- Low (urban/coastal)
- Mountains
- Nearby areas may be in VHFHSZ
Summary
Properties in fire hazard zones near Santa Monica must maintain defensible space per CA PRC §4291. Santa Monica itself is largely urban/coastal with limited wildfire risk, but properties near the Santa Monica Mountains may fall in fire hazard zones.
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. 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. The intensity of fuels management may vary within the 100-foot perimeter, with more intense fuel reductions between 5 and 30 feet around the structure.
Full Breakdown
Santa Monica has adopted the California Fire Code, 2022 Edition, via SMMC Chapter 8.44. The California Fire Code requires property owners to maintain defensible space by clearing brush and flammable vegetation. While Santa Monica is not in a high-fire-severity zone like hillside communities, the adopted fire code requires proper vegetation management. Dead vegetation must be promptly removed per SMMC property maintenance standards. The Fire Prevention Division conducts inspections and enforces vegetation management requirements.
Violations & Fines
Failure to maintain proper vegetation clearance may result in fire code violations, administrative citations, and potential abatement at the property owner's expense under SMMC Chapter 13.06.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to clear brush in Santa Monica?
Who enforces brush clearance in Santa Monica?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Monica
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Monica to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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Brush Clearance in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle brush clearance.