Simi Valley, CA Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)
Key Facts
- Defensible Space
- 100 feet from structures
- Zone 1
- 0-30 feet, aggressive clearance
- Grass Height Limit
- Under 4 inches in Zone 1
- Annual Inspections
- Spring, compliance by June
Summary
Simi Valley requires property owners to maintain defensible space and clear brush within prescribed distances from structures. The Ventura County Fire Protection District enforces vegetation management standards critical to the city's wildfire-prone landscape.
(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 ma
Full Breakdown
Properties in Simi Valley must maintain 100 feet of defensible space around all structures per California PRC 4291 and VCFPD standards. Zone 1 (0-30 feet from structures) requires removal of all dead vegetation, trimming trees to maintain 10 feet of vertical clearance from rooflines, and keeping grass under 4 inches. Zone 2 (30-100 feet) requires thinning of vegetation to reduce fuel loads by at least 50%. Properties in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ), which cover significant portions of Simi Valley's hillside areas, face additional requirements. Annual inspections begin in spring with compliance deadlines typically in June.
Violations & Fines
Non-compliant properties receive a notice to comply with a deadline, typically 30 days. Failure to clear vegetation after notice results in the city or fire district performing the work and billing the property owner, plus administrative fees. Repeat non-compliance may trigger liens on the property. Fines range from $100 to $1,000 per violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much brush clearance is required in Simi Valley?
When are brush clearance inspections in Simi Valley?
What happens if I do not clear my brush?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Simi Valley
California rules heatmap·Compare Simi Valley to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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Brush Clearance in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Ventura County handle brush clearance.