Vacaville, CA Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)

VMC Chapter 8.04 declares all weeds and rubbish a public nuisance and makes it unlawful to allow dry vegetation, weeds, rubbish, or other fire hazards to remain on a property. Code Enforcement performs the annual Weed Abatement inspection on or about June 1 to confirm that owners have cut grass and weeds, removed dead brush, and cleared rubbish before fire season. Burning vegetation in the City to clear weeds is prohibited under Chapter 8.04 unless the Fire Chief has issued written permission. Properties in Vacaville's eastern and southern hills — the Vaca Mountains foothills, Lagoon Valley, Browns Valley, and other Local Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zones identified in the OSFM's February 24, 2025 map update — also fall under California Government Code §51182, requiring 100 feet of defensible space around every habitable structure, broken into Zone 0 (0–5 ft ember-resistant), Zone 1 (0–30 ft lean/clean/green) and Zone 2 (30–100 ft fuel reduction). Properties on the western side of Vacaville extend into CAL FIRE State Responsibility Area where PRC §4291 imposes the same 100-foot standard, enforced by CAL FIRE LNU. Common violations include dry grass over 4 inches near structures, accumulated dead brush, woodpiles within 30 feet of a home, and tree branches overhanging roofs.